Page 1 Advertisements Column 3

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 735, 30 April 1853, Page 1

ADDRESS OF THE COMMITTEE AP- j POINTED AT A PUBLIC MEETING, TO SELECT AND TO USE EVERY DECIMATE MEANS TO SECURE THE RE-' TURN OF ONE OR MORE FROM THE j OPERATIVE AND LABOURING ! CLASSES, AS MEMBERS OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL, TTELLOW WORKING MEN,—In accordif ’ ance with the resolution passed at a Public Meeting, empowering us to perform the above duties; we, the Committee, lake this opportunity of laying our sentiments before you, and of pledging ourselves to go forward with the movement. At the same time of earnestly soliciting your support, in order to carry your object to a successful issue. In former limes our Fathers have struggled, and our countryman at home are still struggling hard for the obtaiiuucnt ol those rights and privileges which have been conferred upon ns by the New Constitution Bill. Does it not, therefore, strike every reflecting observer of passing events with utter astonishment when told, that after so many years of weary agitation, by good men of every class in our native land, to obtain for the working man the privilege of being brought within the pale of the British Constitution, that every elector here at the cuds of the earth has been all at once put in possession of no fewer than ton distinct voles for members to make laws for the government of this his adopted country! —Namely, one for the Superintendent; six for the Members of the Provincial Council; and three for the Members of the House of Representatives. And further, that as the hitherto unnatural and unjust barrier of property cjualificaiion, winch previously existed, has at length been broken down —each and every man amongst ns, however poor, if qualified to vole, is now eligible cither to vole for, or, to stand his poll for a member of the Provincial Council—for the House of Representatives— or even to aspire to that very high position of Superintendent of the Province. The question for your con sidoimioa now is—Are you ready and willing to exercise your rights ? Shall the enemies of enfranchisement for the future have to say. that an experiment was once tried in New Zealand and failed. We ought to bear in mind that the eyes of our countryman in the United Kingdom, and in all the British Colonics will lie upon us, When petitions have been sent to parliament from the people, praying for an extension of the franchise, the opposers of such a measure have invariably declared that the working classes were not prepared to receive it. The advocates on the side of the people have, on the contrary, contended that they are. Here, then, is now a chance of testing the experiment, which certainly ought to be done, before it is condemned. We wish you to think, judge, and net for yourselves; for, by acting judiciously on lhis very important occasion, you may set such an example as can be referred to with pride, and convince the politicians of the mother country, and of the other Colonies, that you arc capable of making a proper use of your political rights. This of itself ought to he a sufficient stimulant to cause you to exert yourselves. It being an imperative duly which you owe to your fellow countrymen, as well as to the progressive advancement of the age. There arc other reasons why you are called upon to perform your duly at the ensuing election. It must be clear to every man of the least capacity, that, when taxes arc about to be levied, your representatives being men from amongst yourselves would like you have to bear an equal share of the burthen. We here lay before you the names of those who have already received the sanction of the Committee and the Public Meeting as Candidates, viz., Alexander Wright, James Dcrrom, and William Griffin, for the return of whom wc solicit your assistance. Not because we want either to compliment or to gratify the feelings of the men put forward, but rather to carry out the principle. The Committee feel themselves perfectly safe and justified by this recommendation, inasmuch as the three candidates have fully and distinctly declared their willingness to resign their scats so soon as a majority of those who have voted for them shall decide that they are no longer fit to be their representatives. In taking this step, we wish it not to be looked upon as antagonistic. Instead of which, we solicit all who agree with our undertaking to lend us their support. We are also desirous that perfect harmony and good feeling should prevail amongst all ranks. There arc to be twenty-four members in the Council, and considering our numerical strength —which on the least calculation is Inyo to one—and judging also of the probable class of men who will be sent into the Council from the suburbs and the oilier divisions, wc conceive, in wishing to return three working men to the Connell, we do not lay ourselves open to the charge of selfishness or monopoly. The Committee arc agreeable to give the fullest chance for the expression of public opinion, either for or against the principles and views of the Candidates. To render exery facility for which purpose, a Public Meeting will shortly be convened, to give an opportunity for the Candidates to answer such questions which any of the Electors shall think prudent to put to them.