Page 3 Advertisements Column 3

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4596, 13 December 1875, Page 3

! Electoral Notices TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY OP WELLINGTON. Gentlemen, —I have the hardihood to offer myself as a candidate for the honor of representing the City in the next Parliament. It may be asked " What claim have I on your suffrage ?" I answer, " None whatever." But my reason for asking is that I am of opinion that the interests of the working men, the interests of the people at large are made subservient to the welfare of the landed squatting, and mercantile interests. That under free and liberal institutions a landed oligarchy is grasping, holding, and keeping unimproved the land to the detriment of the Colony, and that the working class have no representative in the House to watch over their interests as they ought to have. It may be said that I am endeavoring to set the working class against the monied or mercantile class. Kuch is not my object. My object is, that that class should have a representative in the House, capable of looking at all measures introduced with a working man's viewnot to obstruct the Government —but so to assist and advise with them as to what, and in which manner, the measures they introduce will affect the working class, that they shall have no reason for dissatisfaction because they have no voice in their consideration or passing. The abolition of the Provincial form of Government has my hearty approval, and if the Government will only divide the country into workable districts, with elective administrative bodies with sufficient powers, the people may be safely left to govern themselves. The proposition to form the Colony into four Provinces and to separate the Islands is so ridiculous that it should not be entertained for a moment. The Public Works Scheme should be pushed on briskly, but economically, and great retrenchment made in the expense of Government. The tariff should be altered, so that Customs duties may be levied on the luxuries of life, and not on the necessaries. Provision should be made for the sustentation of aged and infirm persons and friendless children, and settlement on the land should be fostered - The nominated Legislative Council should be abolished, and an Upper House, with members elected for ten or twelve years, should be substituted. A Land, Property, and Income tax should be imposed, and wealth should contribute its fair share to the revenue, which hitherto it has not done. An early improvement is needed in the Licensing Act, and hotels should be open for a few hours on Sunday evenings—to enable the working men to meet and discuss questions affecting themselves. Landlords should be treated as men desirous of conforming to the law, and not as suspicious characters to be kept in awe by a policeman's baton, or an Inspector's caprice or spite. Gentlemen, these are some of my opinions on social and political matters. I shall endeavor to carry out the provisions of the Ballot Act in its integrity, although I do not approve it. The individual independence of Britons made England what it is ; and if ever New Zealand 3 to become a powerful Nation its Sons must learn to speak the sentiment of their mind fearlessly and firmly. I shall attend no Public Meetings, where political bias is rampant, but state my views in this journal, the managers of which have treated me with liberality. Should I be one of your choice, you may rely on it that no one will more unceasingly watch over the interest of the City and the Colony at large to the best of his ability, Than Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, C. MOODY. Wellington, November 26, 1875. TO THE ELECTORS OF THE WELLINGTON COUNTRY DISTRICT. Gentlemen, —I offer you my services to represent you in the Parliament about to be elected, and I solicit your support. Five years ago, when I was personally known to but very few amongst you, I was induced to contest the seat with the sitting member, and although I was then unsuccessful, the support which was accorded me, and the encouragement and kindness which I experienced in all parts of the district, incline me to believe that now, when I am better known both personally and publicly, my candidature will prove acceptable to a majority of my fellow electors. When I last addressed you, I expressed a strong conviction that one Government and one Legislature would be quite competent to provide for the peace, order, and good government of the colony. I urged that the existing form of Provincial Government should be abolished, and that the management and administration of matters of purely local concern should be placed in the hands of Municipal or Shire Councils, endowed with necessary means and well defined powers. These views were not then generally popular, but I have the satisfaction of knowing that they are now entertained by a large majority of the electors of the Colony. I hope to see them effectually carried out by the new Parliament, and trust that I may be enabled to have a part in the task of framing new institutions, calculated to fully develop the true principles of local selfgovernment, and so promote the well-being of the Colony. Believing that the people should be consulted before any radical constitutional changes were made, I, during the late session, strenuously opposed the proposal that an expiring Parliament should legislate definitely on the subject. With the form in which the Abolition Bill became law, I, however, cordially agree, and I need scarcely say that I should to the utmost oppose any attempt to prolong the existence of the present Provinces as political entities, or to revive Provincialism in any shape or way. The proposal to create two Provinces in each Island I regard as especially dangerous. The practical effect would be insular separation, and the whole scheme is altogether opposed to Colonial interests. No plan of Constitutional reform will be complete which does not provide for an alteration in the Constitution of the Legislative Council, so as to bring that body more into accord with the spirit of Representative Government. I think, also, that the financial condition of the colony demands the earnest attention of the people, and that economical reform in the administration of colonial finance is imperatively required, as well as a revision of the incidence of taxation, so that the revenue may be raised more equitably as well as be adraintered more prudently. On these and other subjects of interest at the present time, I shall take an early opportunity of addressing you fully and personally. I have the honor to remain, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, E. T. GILLON. TO THE ELECTORS OF THE WELLINGTON COUNTRY DISTRICT. Gentlemen, —You will shortly be called upon to elect a member to represent you in the next Parliament. I respectfully solicit that honor. The abolition of the Provincial Governments having been so far accomplished, I would support a strong Central Government with extended powers of real local self-govern-ment to counties, municipalities, and road boards ; and would oppose separation of the islands. policy, involving the construction of roads, railways, &c, but have no faith in it unless settlement by industrious families takes precedence of the present pernicious system of allowing the country to be bought up by speculators. The Land Laws, and the Native Land Laws, require altering. I should support that party who will relieve the burdens of taxation upon the necessaries of life, and who will make the monopolists of land, property, and capital, contribute their share to the revenue of the country ; considering as I do that New Zealand has been a fertile field for land speculators and foreign capitalists, who hitherto have escaped payment of taxes of any importance.