Page 4 Advertisements Column 2

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 738, 11 May 1853, Page 4

ADDRESS OF THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED AT A PUBLIC MEETING, TO SELECT AND TO USE EVERY DECIMATE MEANS TO SECURE THE RETURN OF ONE OR MORE FROM THE OPERATIVE AND LABOURING CLASSES, AS MEMBERS OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. TT'ELLOW WORKINGMEN,—In accordJT ance with the resolution passed at a Public Meeting, empowering us to perform the above duties; we, the Committee, take this opportunity of laying our sentiments before you, and of pledging ourselves to go forward with the movement. At the same lime 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 arc still struggling hard for the obtainment of those rights and privileges which have been conferred upon us 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 ends of the earth has been all at once put in possession of no fewer than ten distinct votes 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 qualification, which previously existed, has at length been broken down —each and every man amongst us, however poor, if qualified to vote, is now eligible either to vole for, or, to stand his doll 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 consideration 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 Colonies will be 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 act for yourselves; for, by acting judiciously on this 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 are capable of making a proper use of your political rights. This of itself ought to be 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 are other reasons why you are called upon to perform your duty at the ensuing election. It must be clear to every man of the least capacity, that, when taxes are , 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 ns Candidates, viz., Alexander Wright, James Deri’om, and William Griffin, for the return of whom we 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 juslified by this recommendation, inasmuch as the three candidates have fully and distinctly declared their willingness to resign their seals so soon as a majority of those who have voted for them shall decide that they arc 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 are to be twenty-four members in the Council, and considering our numerical strength —which on the least calculation is two to one—and judging also of the probable class of men who will be sent into the Council from the suburbs and the other divisions, we conceive, in wishing to return three working men to the Council, we do not lay ourselves open to the charge of selfishness or monopoly. The Committee are 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 cxcry 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. trusting that the whole will be carried on with peace, unity, and concord, and that each, and every one will do his duty, We beg to be, fellow-working men, Yours, &c., Ciias. Madden, Alex. Marshall, Jerome Cadman, A. McPherson, J. Makepeace, John Lander Tuos. Murphy. Robert Evans, William Lowe. Wm. Harkins. A. Black, Auckland, April 27, 1853.