The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1878.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5256, 28 January 1878, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1878.

Mb,. Edward Pearce has announced himaelf as a candidate to represent the city of Wellington in the House of Representatives. It is very likely that Mr. Pearce will be elected without opposition ; but should another candidate be brought forward, there is little doubt that the tried representative of the people of Wellington will bo placed at the head of the poll. It is fortunate that this city can, in the present position of affairs, secure the services of a politician who has been tried in the balance and not found wanting. During the whole time he was in Parliament he was a firm supporter of those measures which he thought most conducive to the general interest. Of the Public Works and Immigration policy he was an ardent supporter. It would be almost a waste of words to point out the vast benefits which that policy has conferred upon the people of the colony. Wellington has shared fully in the general prosperity - population has more, than doubled, every branch of industry has flourished, and the commerce of the port has been enlarged and extended. Workhas been plentiful and wages high. The legislation which was mainly instrumental in bringing about this desirable state of things received the unswerving support of Mr. Pearce during the Whole of his political career. It has frequently been remarked that there is noticeable a tendency in Parliament for members to range themselves into two great parties, the individuals of each party holding principles in common. Should such a consummation come to pass, the electors of Wellington can rest assured that Mr. Pearce will be found in the ranks of that party the adoption of whose principles ho considers the most progressive and the beat calculated to advance the interests of colonists as a whole, irrespective »f class. When in Parliament he always commanded respect as an honest and straightforward politician. As a citizen he has ever been zealous in promoting all matters for the good of the town. A foolish attempt i® being made to set one class against another in this colony. If the workingclasses are oppressed, as some loudmouthed politicians would fain make them believe, is there an individual in the whole community more likely to stretch out a helping hand to free them from the burden of oppression than the gentleman who now seeks the highest honor which the citizens of Wellington can bestow 1 “Measures, not men,” is a cry raised to catch the unwary. It is essential above all things that those entrusted with the work of legislation should be possessed of high personal character. The chief danger to democratic institutions lies in entrusting men with political powerin whose personal honor no man would put the slightest faith. Politicians of this stamp will promise anything; but general incapacity and broken pledges as a rule reward the choice of the electors when the demagogue is-elected to represent them. It would be easy to find a more brilliant speaker than Mr. Pearce, but it is questionable if any candidate could be brought forward who is more practical in his views, broader in his sympathies, or who would make greater sacrifices for the public than Mr. Pearce. His past history, both as a representative and a citizen, fully warrants the belief that he will act fair between man and man, uninfluenced by class prejudices. The less the minds of the people are directed to abstract theories of government the better. It is practical legislation that is wanted; legislation that will have for its object the material advancement of the people. Colonists are too intelligent and already too liberally endowed with free institutions to be oppressed by any one section of the community. Dust is being thrown in the eyes of the people by telling them that they are ground down; and we are sorry to notice that an attempt is being made in this city to got up a class cry. But the people themselves are the best judges of their position. It is somewhat remarkable that the man who makes the discovery that the people of New Zealand are downtrodden is one who himself is rich in worldly goods. A great deal is made of the contemplated change in the incidence of taxation, for which Sir George Grey and his party claim the entire credit. It will not be out of place here to quote the opinions of Mr. Pearce on this subject, when he was a candidate for the representation of the city, at the last general election. In addressing the electors at the Odd Fellows’ Hall Mr. Pearce said;— “ With regard to an income-tax, I know of no fairer or more equitable tax to impose, always providing that honest returns are obtained ; and if the Government, either in the aid of revenue, or to reduce taxation in the form of Customs duties, desire to impose an income-tax, I am quite prepared to support it. Of coarse, it is to be understood that only incomes above a certain amount are to be chargeable with that tax.” At the nomination he also expressed himself to the effect that every man should contribute to the cost of the government of the colony in proportion to the income he received. There was no doubt, he added, that indirect taxation was the easiest to collect and the least irksome, but what “ he desired and hoped to see was an arrangement whereby the heaviest burden would fall upon the shoulders of those best able to bear it.” No public man in this colony has ever given utterance to a more liberal sentiment. That was over two years ago ; but since then that same sentiment, surrounded with much verbiage, comprises half the political capital of the Premier of the colony. Again, when addressing the electors, Mr. Pearce said ; “It has been assorted in certain quarters that Messrs. Pearce and Hunter belonged to a class bitterly opposed to the imposition of a tax upon property, or any attempt to compel wealth to contribute its fair share to the revenue. Now upon that head they had said most distinctly that every man ought to contribute as far as possible to the cost of

government in proportion to the income he received. That declaration they made most emphatically ; and that was their conviction.” These words are- clear and distinct in meaning. We have referred to a previous election, to prevent any misconceptions as to the views held by Mr. Pearce. As we have said previously, his every action in, the past proves him to be a man of broad sympathies and liberal views. That he will represent all classes of the community faithfully and ably there can be no manner of doubt.