Page 2 Advertisements Column 2

Temuka Leader, Issue 1612, 26 July 1887, Page 2

TO THE ELECTORS OF GLADSTONE. Obwtikmhk— CAPTAIN SUITER having announced that it It not his intention to seek reelection, 1 beg to offer myself as a candidate for the seat in the House of Representatives which he has so long and so worthily filled. As a New Zealander bora and bred in your District, and Inlly intending to spend my life in the colony, 1 am anxious to devote a considerable portion of my time to the service of my fellow colonists. Possessing myself some stake in yonr district, and closely connected with it by family ties, I am emboldened to hope that to yon I may bo indebted for my entrance into public life. I shall take an early opportunity to lay my views 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 arneatly 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 oouncenanoe 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 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 pnblio 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 the number of members in the House of Representatives, And I consider in the resent 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 you, 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 introduction 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 pnblio funds, the farce of party Government, apiihly copied from the antiquated system now beginning to break down in England, must 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 pnblio must materially harass and injure the skbat Nbw Zeaiand ihdubtribs— the Agricultural and Pastoral. I shall strongly favor all reasonable measures to promote bona fide settlement in smallholdings, and a simplification of out cumbersome Land Acts. Some of the present vexatious conditions attached to the deferred payment and. leasehold systems might with in favor of genuine tillers of the soil, adequate safeguards being maintained'against the acquisition of lands lor. purely speculative purposes. The proposal for the purchase by the Crown of private lands for settlement seems to have originated in the desire to relieve embarrassed landowners, and would, I am persuaded, only resnlt in jobbery and the increase of officialism. Largely dependent as tbe farming classes are upon tbe oironlation of capital at tbe lowest possible rates of interest, I am anxious that no discouragement should be afforded to the foreign capitalist to lend on New Zealand securities. But I regard an absentee landed proprietary m tbe greatest possible curse to a country. I need hardly add that yonr interests ars identical with my own, and if yon 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. 1 have the honor to be, gentlemen, Tour obedient servant, ARTHUR E. G. RHODES.