Page 2 Advertisements Column 2

Temuka Leader, Issue 1602, 2 July 1887, Page 2

TO THE ELECTORS OF GLADSTONE. Gkntlembn— CAPTAIN SUTTER having announced that it is not his intention to seek reelection, I hog to offer myself as a candidate for th. ti..- the Home of Representatives which he has so long and so worthily filled. As a New Zealander born and bred in your District, and fully intending to spend my life in the colony, 1 am anxious to devote a considerable portion of my lime (o the service of my fellow colonists. Possessing myself some stake in your district, and closely connected with it by family ties, 1 am emboldened to hope that to you 1 may be indebted for my entrance into public life, I shall take an early opportunity to lay my view* fully before you, but 1 think it well at once to state briefly the salient points of my political creed. Undoubtedly the first and most imperative duty 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 out of our financial trouble is the practice of the most drastic economy in every Department of the State. Though a rigid economist, I shall 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 needfnl work for the State; but lam convinced that there is ample room for a large reduction in the number of officials without in any degree impairing the efficiency of the various departments of the publio service, I am prepared to support a large reduction in the exorbitant salaries now paid to the Governor and other high officials, whose pay is at present utterly out of proportion to the value of their services, I will advocate a substantial reduction in they number of members in the House of Representatives. 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, should .cease to be paid by the State. There are other ways, which I shall have an opportunity of detailing to yon, by which the expense of the Legislature might be sensibly diminished. In spite, however, of the utmost economy I have no hope that an increase 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 present Treasurer mainly responsible for the introdnotion and perpetuation of this policy—the chief cause of the depression which now taxes so severely the resources of the colony. Therefore it is needless 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 England, mnst cease. On the burning question of Protection I wish to speak with no uncertain sound. I will strenuously oppose any increase in the Customs, especially that most monstrous proposal 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 towns at the expense of the publio must materially harass and injure the 6BBAT Nbw Zealand industries— the Agricultural and Pastoral. I shall strongly favor all reasonable measures to promote bona fide settlement in small holdings, and a simplification of our outnbersom e Land Acts. Some of the present vexations conditions attached to the deferred payment and 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 seHUmanfc 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. Largely dependent as the farming classes are upon the circulation of capital at the lowest possible rates of interest, I am anxious that no discouragement should bo afforded to the foreign capitalist to lend on New Zealand securities. But I regard an absentee landed proprietary as the greatest possible purse to a country. I need hardly add that your interests are identical with my own, and if you do me the honour to elect me, I shall take every opportunity of coming personally amongst you and making myself fully acquainted with the wants of the district, I have the honor to be, gent’emen, Your obedient servant, ARTHUR E. G. RHODES.