Page 4 Advertisements Column 1

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 303, 18 December 1874, Page 4

_L': " '■ ••■'l':' 1 ' ', ■■ .\'' ' ',' ' ' ELECTION. TO THE ELECTORS OF MOUNT IDA. . GBSteMMJUf— X BE& Respectfully to Offer myself as a Candidate for tho Stmt in tho Provincial Council rondorod vacant by tho Resignation of Mb. Oixveb. Being an old miner, and having, rosirlod for several years on the Goldfields of Victoria and Otago, I am pretty -well acquainted with the wants of o Mining community, while my frequent visits to Mount Ida (during the past throe yoarß) have aiFordod me an opportunity .of learning the requirements of the District. ■ I may mention that I am thoroughly independent of class'influence, and, should you do me tho honor of electing me, yon may rely upon being faithfully served, and honestly represented. I shall take an oarly opportunity of meeting you, and explaining my-viows j. meantime, I respectfully request' you will not pledge yoursolves. '.■ I 1 am, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, RIOHABD H. LEART. TO THE ELECTORS OP MOUNT IDA ■ -J3-ENTLEMKN, — MR. OLIVER haying Resigned his position as Member-for Mount Ida in, the Provincial Council, I offer the Electors,' according to ; proih'ise, my services. In doing this I desire to draw attention to the fact that, if a .suitable local man will stand (such as your present member) I think, the electors ought to support him .-.in preference to a stranger. I can hardly, however, bo called a stranger, having already served you in the Provincial Council; and you are all well aware, of my political opinions, which have not altered. With regard to the abolition of the Provin. cial Councils, I have always been, and.still am, favorable to such a measure—if it can be brought about carefully 'and wisely, and with idtvj protection to our land revenue, an interest which is of the most vital importance to our Province. With me it is no new opinion got up for the occasion, as the following passages,' from ,iny address' to you, which appeared in tho'Mount Ida Chronicle' of February 17th, 1871, willshow :—"I will first touch _on Provincialism; .though I confess thero is such' d conglomeration of Governments that it is 'difficult to tell where one' ends and the other begins. Provincial Government has effected nntch'good'in ! th.e past, but it has served its day; and, to perpetuate that system in its'-present form,''would be a curse lather than otherwise. .' . . Each Provinoe has an expensive staff of paid officials. Now, it must be apparont, that, if tho Province's aud Counties were under one Government, thero would be a great saving in departmental expenses alone. I would' not abolish Provincialism- altogether, but I would reduce thoir number, and do away with so many petty and expensive Governments. No doubt there would be obstacles in tho way, arising out of so many land laws and so many Provincial debts, but these would be more than counterbalanced bytjie solid advantage gained." Bcforo, however taking so radical a step, I would liko to have a clear idea of the* means by which wo will protect our local'interests! Perhaps it might be judicious for us in the Middle Island to wait and see how the new system works in the North Island before adopting it here. As to the Duty on Gold, I will do all in my power (if roturnod) to abolish that invidious and unjust impost. I cannot see it is either an act of justice or wise policy to impose a heavy tax on one of the most important branches of industry, whilo othors less important are fostered and encouraged. I shall ever oppose the selling of large blocks of our public .land to tho wealthy. .Such proceedings will only tend to the establishment of a landed aristocracy great wealth and power on the one hand, and poverty and servitude on tho other. lam in favor of basing all national lands, but, if that will bo found impracticable in the meantime, I will support any measures ihat may have for their objects the placing- of the industrious! working man on his own freehold, on the principle of doforred payments. I look upon the present system of wholesale and unsolectocl immigration with dread, and would rather seo a moro limited but more useful stream of immigrants approaching our shores. ■ On other matters t.noed not dwell at pre-, sent, as you know my opinions, and as I have nothing to recant or withdraw. It is not my intention to mako a ptrsonal canvass, or to address you before the election," as r think it quite unnecessary. If, howevor, you do me tho honor of returning me as your it)[>rcnentative, I will take the- unusual course of doing so immediately afterwards, in order to consult with you as to the best rnothod of futhoring the interests of the district, ' * I shall then do so with more confidence, as I know tho electors-of Mount "Ida'will'not be led astray by anything parties may say—parties who are looking about for vacant constituencies as a hen looks about for an empty ncsb that she may comfortably sir, on, or tie entrapped by. promises never intended to be, kept, but, like the celebrated razors, ;' only made to sell." , ' .' . I am, Gentlemen, • ...