MOTUEKA AND MASSACRE BAY.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, 3 November 1855, Page 2

MOTUEKA AND MASSACRE BAY.

The nomination of a member to represent tho districts of Motueka and Massacre, Bay in the House of Representatives took place at the School Room, Motueka, on Wednesday, the 2ith instant, when Mr. Fearojt nominated E. D. Salisbury, Esq., as a fit and proper pei*3on to represent tho district ; and he did so believing that Mr. Salisbury possessed that gentlemanly conduct and the requisite qualifications calculated to maintain that high character which this district had acquired in its late representative, A. C. Picard, Esq., to whose memory Mr. Fearon paid a high tribute of praise.

ycconded by Mr. Giblin. It was then put to the Returning Officer whether or not any elector present was at liberty to ask Mr. Salisbury to explain his political principles ? Mr. Greenwood and Mr. Travers both stated that the course usually adopted was to nominate all the candidates first, who then addressed the electors, and if this explanation Svere unsatisfactory, any elector so disposed might ask such questions as he felt inclined to put to them.

Mr. Jacka rose, and stated that it was the wish of a great many of the electors that a contested election should, if possible, be avoided, and it was with this view that the question to the Returning Officer had been put ; but as he had ruled that all nominations should first bo made he (Mr. Jacka) would propose that Mr. Charles Parker should be elected to represent the district, and he did it upon these grounds : that Mr. Salisbury had but recently come amongst them ; that his political principles were not sufficiently known to the electors ; that he understood Mr. Salisbury had been requested to meet tho electors at a public meeting, to explain his views and answer such questions as might be put to liim, to enable the electors to judge whether or not he \va3 a proper por-

son to represent' them,' but that with all such applications he had refused to comply. Mr. Jacka did not think that the -electors' had met with that courtesy which they weft entitled to, and he, therefore, had much pleasure .in proposing Mr. Parker, who was well known to the electors, and who, he believed, possessed then« entire confidence.

Mr Jennings, who seconded the nomination, admitted[the respect which he entertained for Mr. Salisbury, but he conceived that a candidate should possess sufficient energy, zeal, and ability to represent us, and he did not think that mere gentlemanly conduct was the only qualification required. He would, therefore, second the nomination of Mr. Parker, as, from Ids proceedings in the Provincial Council, he appeared to have gained the confidence of the electors, and was a fit and proper person to represent them in the General Assembly. Mr. Micklb proposed Mr. Jennings. Mr. Coppins seconded the nomination.

Mr. Askew asked Mr. Salisbury if (supposing he were l-eturned) he would support a grant of a salary to the Biahop of New Zealand.

Mr. Salisbtjey replied that he considered ,the labourer to be well worthy of his hire t and he would do so.

And to other questions put, Mr. Salisbury stated that he had ever respected the Wesleyans. He passed a high eulogium oft Mr. Wesley, the founder of the Methodists, and said it was always a pleasure to him to give the hand of friendship to all Wesleyans. He would not support any grant to the Catholics. He could scarcely understand that there could be two opinions on politics in New Zealand—a land of liberty, flowing with milk and honey ; — aiid as to vote by ballot here, he .considered the question to be perfectly, ridiculous. .Had never refused to meet the electors, but had often conversed with them at the hotel, and had courted inquiry. His political opinions were the, same as Mr. Fearon's, who had been elected for the Provincial Council, and he found that his (Mr. Salisbury's) opinions generally differed in no particular respect from the people's. He would support any system of education in which the Bible was introduced. With respect to the .Native ■Reserves, Mr. Salisbury highly approved of the bill which the late much-lamented Mr. Picard introduced in the house, and would support it under the title of his (Mr. Picard's) bill. In reply to a question, he admitted that he had never read that bill. The Fencing KkeKnances, he thought, should be put in snch a state that every person who runs may read, for really from what he understood had taken place in that neighbourhood, it did not appear that any one knew what the law on "the question was. Mr. Parker rose, and stated that he very much regretted the cause through which he now had to rise, for had Mr. Pieard been alive, what is likely to occur lie believed would have been avoided— that is, a contested election. He believed, that even at 'present, if .proper steps had been taken, a contested election might have been avoided. He had suggested to Mr. Fearon and Mr. Giblin, who had canvassed for Mr. Salisbury, tho propriety of his (Mr. Salisbury's) attending a public meeting and explaining liis views ; and he thought, if this had been the case, the people might have been satisfied. He did not exactly understand Mr. Salisbury's opinions of political parties here, nor his explanations of his views in regard to assistance to the Bishop. He (Mr. Parker) had seen enough of the evils of a State Church in England, and was decidedly opposed to anything of the sort in this country. The Church here did not require such assistance, and would be infinitely better without it. He thought differently on politics to Mr. Salisbury. In our prosperity we should take care to establish such laws as wovdd secure that prosperity, and maintain this country in its present happy state. He did not object to Mr. Salisbury because he was a gentleman, but contended that that alone was not a sufficient qualification. If, however, the electors considered it sufficient, they would elect Mr. Salisbury. • ■ > • Mr. Jennings rose, and stated that he did not appear there from any act of his own, but he did not think that Mr. Salisbury's gentlemanly conduct was a sufficient claim for the electors' support : there was, and always would be, a battle to be fought between officialism and the public interest. A show of hands having been taken, the Rettoxing Officer declared it to be —

For Mr. Salisbury . . 14 Mr. Parker . . 9 Mr. Jennings . . 2 upon which* Mr. Parker and Mr. Jennings 1 demanded a poll.