Page 4 Advertisements Column 1

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 109, 7 May 1872, Page 4

mO THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY 1 OF NELSON. Gentlemen — I have the honor to offer myself as a candidate for the seat vacated by Mr. Lightband, lately ore of the members for this city in the House of Eepresentatives. During the nine years I have lived amongst you I have, in the course of my ordinary avocations, freely declared the opinions I entertain, and the principles upon which I act. It does not, therefore, appear necessary to enter here on a lengthy i explanation of ray political views, especially as j I shall have an opportunity of meeting you and j discussing the main points of that Policy which at present attracts the earnest attention of all thinking men who, like myself, have made New Zealand a home for themselves and for their I child: ex I may, however, briefly indicate the line of ' conduct which, should I have the honor to represent you. I shall consider it my duty to pursue. My political creed, then, may be stated in two words — Peace and Piiogress. Believing that these two great elements of national happiness are the leading principles of the policy of the present Ministry, I shall (if returned) give that policy a fair, and reasonable, bat at the same time a discrinrnatixig and independent support. The calamitous conflicts with the Natives for yeais banished peace and prevented the possibility of progress. These conflicts necessitated a lavish expenditure which, for a long period, had to be continued, without any return that could benefit either oxirselves or those who come after us; while the feeling of insecurity to life and property which the war created paralysed that immigration of men and capital which form the life blood of a new country. I pass over the bloodshed produced by mismanagement, of "which we all still entertain painful recollections. By the wiser course of conciliation, the present Ministry have established peace,and,with the consent of the Colony, has expressed in the will of the Colony's representatives, have set on foot a policy of progress, under which money borrowed instead of being squandered in worse than useless wars, shall be applied to Public Works intended to further the intercommunication of the people, to improve settled districts, to open and settle new country, and to give au impetus to our natural productions by cheaply bringing them to a market. If I am elected, it will be my steadfast endeavor to aid in securing the carrying out of these Works under a system which shall provide value for the money expended; and it should be the duty of all representatives narrowly to examine and criticise the course pursued by ministers ps, year by year, the works now begun are extended by means of the annual sanction of the House of Eepresentatives. As forming an integral portion of the General Eailway Policy of the Government, I have steadily supported the construction of the Line from Nelson to Foxhill. Were it necessary, I might point to special efforts in that direction made at times when the success of the project j was endangered through the laxity of some whose earnest eflorts, it was naturally expected, would be exerted in the way of urging ou its i speedy completion. lam an advocate of Direct Taxation, as not only being just in itself, but specially, as furnishing the means of reaching absentees, whose property aud profits are protected by the Government of the country, for which we settlers pay j while the absentee draws an untaxed income from the labor and productions of the Colony. I shall, therefore, give a ready support to auy well-con-sidered measure for establishing a Property and Income Tax. On the question of Education, theory points to a purely denominational or a strictly secular system. In the divided state of opinion in the country, I should be prepared to consent to such compromises as would produce a general scheme of education for the Colony as nearly as possible like that which now obtains in Nelson, making a few improvements and modifications in the details of the latter system where these may be found desirable. Economical Administration is a necessity to New Zealand, and, while justice demands that all workers in the public service should be fairly paid, I should insist on its being shown that the pay is also fairly earned. Respecting the Provinces, in the ahsence of any. superior method of Local Self-Government, I am in favor of a modified Provincial system, by which the number of Provinces shall be reduced, their average cost lessened, and their real usefulness increased. On these and other topics I shall have the pleasure of addressing you on an early day. Though I have not yet had an opportunity of forwarding your interests-- in Parliament, 1 may be permitted to claim that I am not a wholly untried representative of public opinion, and, if you consider that, In my capacity of journalist and otherwise, I haveevinced an honest, energetic, and fearless determination to stand by what I deem correct principles and the Rights of the Peoplej I may venture to hope that I can inspire you with a confidence that I shall not desert these : if placed by your suffrages in a position to exercise a direct voice in ; the- Legislature of the Colony. Respectf ullj soliciting your support, ' : i ( I am, Gentlemen, ; i•• i , ..;"". * "Yours faithfully, D.M.LUCKIE. Nelson, 18th April, 1872. 843