TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF NELSON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 119, 20 May 1872, Page 4

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF NELSON.

Gentlemen — I have the honor to offer myself as a candidate for the seat vacated by Mr. Lightband, lately one of the members for this city in the House of Representatives. During the nine years I have lived amoiijst you I have, in the course of my ordinary avocations, freely declared the opinions I entertain, and the principles upon which I act. It docs not, therefore, appear necessary to enter here on a lengthy explanation of my political views, especially as I shall have an opportunity of meeting you and discussing the main points of that Policy which af present attracts the earnest attention, of all thinking men who, like myself, have made New Zealand a home for themselves and for their children. 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 Progress. 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, but at the same time a discriminating and independent support. The calamitous conflicts with the Natives for years 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 ourselves 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 expeuded; and it should be the duty of all representatives narrowly, to examine and criticise the course pursued by ministers as, year by year, the works now begun are extended by means of the annual sanction of the House of Representatives. As forming an integral portion of the General Railway " 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 was endangered through the laxity of some whose earnest efforts, it was naturally expected, would be exerted iv the way of urging on its speedy completion. I am an advocate of Direct Taxation, as not only being just in itself, but specially, as furnishing the means of reaching absentees, whose property and profits are protected by the Government of the country, for which we settlers pay while the absentee draws an untaxed income from the labor and productions of the Colony. I shall, therefore, give a ready support to any 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 obtain s in Nelson, making a few improvements and modification's 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 puhlic service should be fairly paid, I should insist on its being shown that the pay is also fairly earned. Respecting the Provinces, in the absence of any superior method of Local Self-Government,' l 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, I may be permitted to claimi that I am nob a wholly , untried representative of public opinion, and, if you consider that; in my .capacity of journalist and otherwise, I have eyinced an honest, energetic, and fearless determination. to stand by what I deem correct principles and the Rights. of the People, I mayy&ture to hbpe 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 tbe Colony. • Respectfully soliciting your support; I am, Gentlemen, j ,•!.. 1 •■,.',.' ■ .>.'/(-' Yoursfaithfully, .;; „ Z'Mimm^^^ 9 ***