Page 4 Advertisements Column 4

Temuka Leader, Issue 1597, 21 June 1887, Page 4

TO THE ELEOTOBB OB' GLADSTONE. Qbntlekbn— CAPTAIN SUXXEB having announced that it is not, big, intention to geek re* election, I beg to offer myself ag a candidate for the seat in the Home of BSpresentatires which he has so long andiso worthily filled. A* a New Zealander’ born and bred in your-Distrlct, and fully.intending to spend my life in the colony, I am anxious to devote a considerable portion of my time to the service of my fellow colonists. Possessing myself -some’'stake in your district, and closely connected with it family ties, I am emboldened to hope thattdyou 1 may be indebted for my entrance into'public life, I shall take,, an. early opportunity to lay my views fully before you, but l think it well at once to. state briefly the salient points of my political creed. Undoubtedly the first and most imperative dirty‘of the new Parliament will be to grapple earnestly and fearlessly with the financial difficulties of the colony, It is universally admitted that the burden of taxation must not be increased, and, ‘ therefore,-:the only true way put of our financial trouble is the practice of the most drastic economy in every Department of the State.

Though a rigid economist, I (hall not for a moment countenance any pitiful and cheeseparing reductions in the pay of persons in the public employ, who, whether as clerks, mechanics, or laborers, are honestly doing needful work for the State; but I am convinced that there is ample room for a largo i deduction in the number of officials .without in andegree insuring s thq efficiency ibf-7, the \ various \ departments of ihe publio service. lam prepared tb kupport a large reduction in the exorbitant salaries now paid to the Governor and other high officials, whose pay is at present utterly out proportion to the value of their services, I will advocate a 'substantial reduction in the] number of members ini the House of Bepresentatives. And I consider in the present financial position of the Colony the members of the Legislative Council nominated by the Crown mainly .in the interests of property, 1 should oease to be paid by the State. There are other ways, .which I shall have an oppprtunity of detailing to you, jjy which the‘ expense of the Legislature might be keiasibly diminished.

In spite, however, of the utmost economy I have no hope .that an ippreate of taxation can be avoided unless an end is put once and for all. to the reckless gambling policy of borrowing money for the construction of political railways and 'Other public works intended to catch votes for party purposes, I hold the presept ;Tjfeasnror mainly re* sponsible for the introduction and perpetuation of this policy—the chief cause of the depression whioh now taxes so severely the resources of the colony. Therefore it is heedless to state that I am opposed to the Government as at present constituted. To ensure the pure administration of the public funds, the farce of party Government, apishly copied from the antiquated system now beginning to break down in i England, must cease. MOn;the,'burning question of. Protection I wish to speak no nnoertain sound! I will strenuously oppose any increase in the Customs, especially that most' monstrous phopdsal •to tax agricultural' ‘ implements, satisfied as I am, that with strict economy no,additional taxation is needed, and that any attempt to ; bolster up the industries of the town* at the expense of the public must materially harass and injure the Srbat Naw Zealand industries— the Agrioultutal and Pastoral.

I shall strongly favor s all reasonable measures to promote bona fHa settlement in small holdings, and a simplification of our cumbersome Land Acts, . Some of the present relations conditions attached to the deferred payment hod leasehold systems might with advantage be . relaxed in favor of genuine tillers of the soil, adequate safeguards being maintained against the acquisition of lands for purely speculative purposes. ; {The. proposal for the (purchase by the Grown of private lands for settlement seems to have originated in the desire to relieve embarrassed landowners, and would, I am persuaded, only result in jobbery and the increase of officialism. Largelyidependent as. .tbeiamjng, classes arsnpon the circulation of capital at the rates of interest, laito anxious that pp discouragement should be affbrded to the foreign capitalist to lepd on ÜbwZealand securities.' But I regard an: absentee landed proprietary as the greatest possible curse to a country. I need hardly add that your interests are identical with my own, and If yon do me the honour to elect me, I shall take every op. port unity of coming persons Uy amongst you and making myself fully acquainted with the wants of the district. I have the honor to be, gent'emen, Tour obedient servant, AETHUE E. Q, RHODES.