TO THE ELECTORS OF THE PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 487, 4 July 1857, Page 2

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY.

GENTLEMEN, The dissolution of the Provincial Council will shortly occasion a vacancy in the office of Superintendent of this province. Mr. Fitz Gerald has declared that it : is not his intention to present himself for re-election. Under these circumstances, I have, after mature consideration, determined to offer myself as a candidate for the forthcoming election. From every gentleman seeking so high an office you will doubtless expect to hear an outline of his political opinions. I will claim your indulgence while I endeavour, very briefly, to state my views respecting such matters as are most prominently interesting to the public of. this province. Before doing so, I would ask you to believe that in soliciting your suffrages I am animated by a sincere desire to be instrumental in securing the welfare and progress of the province; and that personal ambition is not the only inventive to the course I have decided on adopting. I am not altogether a stranger to the majority of your number, and am happy in believing that my personal relations with this majority are such us to justify a strong hope of success in my 'Resent proposal. , I arrived in Canterbury during the first year ofits settlement, find, with the exception of a short time, during which I visited the neighbouring volonies, have since resided among you. I had the honor of serving you in the first General Assembly, and have been a member of your Provincial Council since the extension of its numbers. For a short period I discharged the duties of Resident Magistrate; and, since iny retirement, have been engaged in the practice of the law. The public affairs of Canterbury I am earnestly desirous of seeing conducted with.scrupulous honesty and singleness of purpose. The Imperial Parliament having conferred upon the Colony of New Zealand a constitution of unparallcd liberality, and of fewer imperfections than are by some persons inconsiderately ascribed to it, I am wishful to see that consti- \ tution properly read and carried out, feeling '.assured that by jfc every provision is made for tfie political necessities of the colony, and that great inconvenience must speedily follow injudicious attempts to interfere with its natural awl legitimate operation. I am among the number of those who

regard the past legislation of the provinces, generally, as exhibiting a decided tendency to exceed the powers conferred upon them by the Constitution Act, and think it highly desirable that such tendencies should be at once correc- , ted. One of the principal duties of the Provincial Government is to provide funds for the construction and maintenance of -public works and local improvements ; and one of the chief sources upon which Government must rely for this purpose is the sale and rental of the Waste Lands. As to the price and general management of the Waste Lands, I wish it to be distinctly understood that I am entirely adverse to any change in the Waste Lands Regulations that shall involve a reduction in the price of the Waste Lands, or the tenure of such portions as are j occupied for pastoral purposes. For the simple • reason that I should, in the first place, consider j such changes as inflicting an injustice upon the j present occupants, and calculated to retard the advancement of the provinces, by reason of the doubt and uncertainty with which the public would thenceforth learn to regard provincial legislation. Because, also, Ido not apprehend that a reduction of price, below the present fixed rate of £2 per acre, is at all necessary to secure such an income for expenditure on public works as will bear a just proportion to our resources in the shape of available labour. With reference to Public Works, I am very ; desirous that the country should he thoroughly opened out by means of sufficient roads and bridges, as fast as the necessary funds can be realized. And, at the same time, I think it of the highest importance that especial care should be taken to ascertain, when appropriating public money, that priority be given to such works only a> are most needed and which promise to yield the greatest amount of public profit and convenience. I trust that for many years we shall not be ! compelled to resort to the levying of taxes as a means of supplying the Provincial Exchequer. Nothing short of an extreme exigency would in my opinion justify compliance with such a measure. In order to avoid such a position, it appears to me only necessary that the greatest economy should pervade the administration of the Government, and that care should be taken never to anticipate our revenue, except in cases where such a course would ensure an extraordinary public benefit. It is perfectly needless for me to state that I am in favour of that system of legislation that bears most equally upon all classes of the community. I believe there are few to be found who would be bold enough to propose a scheme of class legislation to a people so thoroughly imbued with a love of fair play as the publie of Canterbury. I hope that this spirit will continue as strong as ever, and that the progress of education will foster and increase that love of order and respect to duly constituted authority which is already one of the proudest characteristics of our infant state. Should you, gentlemen, do me the honor to elect me to the office of Superintendent, I have great hope that I shall find myself competent to a proper discharge of its political functions. I am especially encouraged in this belief, when I consider that, under our present system of Government, I should be associated with and advised by the ablest men in the province. In conclusion, gentlemen, I promise that, if elected, I will devote myself entirely to the promotion of the'so'cfal and political welfare of the province; that I will adhere faithfully to the constitution, and will never be a party to its infringement or evasion, either directly or indirectly ; and that, in so far as may devolve on me, I will always endeavour to secure to the public the services of the ablest and best men, in all departments of the Provincial Government. Before the day of election I hope to have frequent opportunities of more fully explaining my opinions. In the meantime, gentlemen, I beg to subscribe myself, most respectfully, Your very Obedient Servant, W. S. MOORHOUSE.