Page 2 Advertisements Column 5

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 822, 18 June 1853, Page 2

only pledge myself further, that if elected to the honorable distinction of one of your Re.presentatives, I will bring to the consideration and discussion of every subject, patient investigation, and an unbiassed mind and vote, upon conviction, with independence. I congratulate myself and you upon the opportunity which now presents itself for procuring, what ought to be the aim of all good government, the greatest happiness for the greatest number i fortunately we have not before us the difficult task of pulling down long standing class interests unfavourable to general liberty, but to build up such Institutions as will be an effect tual barrier to their obtaining the fature ascendancy,, as they have done in old countries. My political opinions are of long standing*, and have always been on the side of true Constitutional freedom, for which I have struggled under all adverse circumstances, and have happily lived to see the triumph of principles, which, at one time, it was not only dangerous to entertain, but criminal to avow. It is impossible within these limits to explain sufficiently my opinions upon the questions more particularly interesting the Colonists at this time, I will state them shortly reserving to every Elector the opportunity oi a further explanation. I think that the powrr of self amendment contained in the new Constitution should be immediately exercised, for the purpose of reconstructing the constitution of the Upper House upo v n a more popular basis — for delegating to the Provincial Assemblies the power over the waste lands in each province — for emancipating our Legislation from the control of the Colonial Minister, and for securing the responsibility of the Executive Officers of the Government to the people, as is the case with ministers in England. I think that it is the duty of the State to educate the children of all citizens, without distinction of religion : believing that knowledge, a 9 a means, will bring many within the Christian fold ; what can be expected from ignorance but fanaticism, superstition, or thorough disbelief. I think that our whole system of finance requires that careful investigation, which those alone who are holders of the purse, as well as payers of the taxes, will ever be inclined to give to it ; from the same source alone can be expected a more satisfactory mode oi stating the public accounts. In connection with this subject, I believe that a proper modification of, and wider extension to, objects not at present included in our Colonial Bank of Issue, may make that Institution really useful to commerce and profitable to Government. I am favourable to the establishment of one universal tariff for the whole of the Australian colonies and New Zealand ; I believe that s«uh a uuity of interests and commercial advantages would arise therefrom, as can hardly be fully contemplated at the first glance ; this necessarily comprises a complete revision of our own Tariff. A" new Bankrupt Law, to protect the really _unf©rtuiiate^_andLjaunisl\ Jthe_ffui]ty*_ js_ absp^ lutely necessary ; the present law is quite inefficient for these ends. I think that the circumstances, under which the heavy debt due to the New Zealand Company 'has been imposed upon the Colony, should be thoroughly investigated with the view, if possible, of obtaining from the Imperial Parliament, a more equitable adjustmeut. ' I think that a less expensive mode of conveyance and greater facility for the transfer of land may be adopted ; we have especial facilities for accomplishing this object. The Land Question, in all its bearings, will be the principal object for discussion in the future Assembly : many weigh y arguments are yet unanswered, and remain to be tested with great deliberation, I have alwtys been an advocate for Small Freeholds, at such a price a3 will bring them within the means of the industrious classes and cultivators : as the best means to obtain this end, I am inclined to well regulated periodical Sales by Auction, at a moderate epset price ; not as a means for enhancing the value of Land, but to prevent favouritism, and accumulation of the best Land by speculators : evils, which I think can only be prevented by public competition. If it was certain that every man could have the Land he selected, I see no objection to a moderate fixed price, but favoritism would have to be guarded against ; and. unless you deny the right of every one to use his capital and intelligence to the best advantage, you cannot prevent the man of capital and leisure, himself or by his emissaries, from scouring the country, and securing the best land, whilst the industrious cultivator, whose t : me is money, would most likely, after much trouble, and before he ,«ould complete his purchase, find that the land he had set his eye upon, had slipped fiom him. I am favourable to a LinJ Tax upon uncultivated lands only, in order to compel Speculators and Absentee proprietors to bring their lands into cultivation. Land in general I think should be subject to no other Tax than what might be necessary for the construction of Roads, Bridges, &c, at.d other local improvements ; the power of levying such Tax being conceded to the Owners of land within the various districts or hundreds into which it may be divided; the requirement of every district are various, and any 'fixed Tax would press unequally. The main Trunks or lines of Road to be made by the Government. If a strong feeling in favor of the Ballot exists in the public mind, I think it should be conceded. lam favourable to it. But above all I am desirous that tbe community should be represented by men of ability and integrity — wait therefore uniil you have the pretensions of every Candidate before you, ere you promise your Votes, then examine for yourselves, as if you were jurymen exercising a sacred- trust for the benefit of Society/ and choose those men only whom you may consider best fitted to serve you. If your choice falls upon one more appropriate than myself, I shall feel no reluctance in giving way to those whom you may think the most deserving, and returning to the quietude to which I have been accustomed. I have the honor to b,e, Gentlemen, Your most obedient servant, JAMES KELHAM. Wellington, June 14, 1353.