Page 3 Advertisements Column 2

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3863, 2 October 1879, Page 3

ELECTORAL THAMES TCL.I-.CnON. CJ-Ui Q-. GREY not. h»vir« resigned Me aKAT, us PROMISED, Ihnve withdrawn nil Advertwtnonts, und uutil he decides for which i-E.VC- id wi".; SIT, I rimll tato no further means lo seoiiro my ELECTION", but as aooti us Sir G-. Gitur re igus I will u^e every possible endeavor to Secure my RETURN. The Thames ConstiUicncy is at present being trampled in the duet. W. BO WE. Octobsr Ist, 1879. 3100 THAMES ELKCTOBATE TO THE ELECTORS. GKN l'L ft MEN, —As a candidate soliciting your suffrages I am desirous that no misunderstanding should exi>t in your minds regarding my views upon some of the important questions of the day, and I therefore take this means of making known my opinions to you. Sir G. Grey, having introduced the present Liberal policy to the Parliament aud the Country, I look upon him as the best qualified person to be intrusted with carrying the measures referred to in the Governor's speechthroughthe Legislature, aud the administration of the same when they become the law of the land. As the measures mentioned are only a few of those required to insure a Liberal policy being introduced in the management \ of the affairs of the colony, I am prepared, if elected, to support Sir George Grey and his Ministry in carrying i such other measures as may be required in cTeveloping a policy which the circumstances of the colony demand ; that its future prosperity and greatness may be secured, and the indefeasible rights and liberties of its inhabitants acknowledged. The Triennial Parliaments Biil I believe to be a measure fully in keeping with the advances made in the science of Political Economy in the present day, and to be a most desirable one in such a colony as New Zealand ; securing a more frequent return of representatives to the constituencies, and affording opportunities for the taxpayers to make known their wants and opinions upon all subjects affecting their welfare to such representatives ; the better to secure fair legislation. The success which has attended the introduction of this measure in the Parliaments of other dependencies of tke British Crown prove without question the wisdom of having such a law in this colony.

That ail the inhabitants of the land, who. unless from causes brought about by their own negligence, may be enabled to exercise the privileges secured to them by the law providing for Triennial Parliaments, it is necessary that the greatest facilities should be granted them for qualifying themselves to take part in the return "of suitable representatives; and this fact leads me to consider the proposed Electoral BillHneluded in the Liberal programme. That the present Registration of Electors Act is faulty in the extreme, that under it thousauds of taxpayers in the colony are debarred from exercising their privileges, aud that with its regulations it is impossible to ensure an easy and correct registration of electors, all who are in any way acquainted with its working will admit, so that the necessity of having a new ordinance is therefore apparent. I will support, if elpcted, the Government in placing on the Statute Book as the law of the land, the Bill introduced by the Hon. Ji Sheeban, and at present before Parliament, and which^plaees within the reach of every man the means of registering himself as an elector under the residential qualification. It provides that every male person of the age of 21 years, not being a Maori, and being a natural born, or naturalized subject of her Majesty, who has resided for twelve months in New Zealand, and in the electoral district for which the vote is to be given, for the six mouths previous to the date of his claim to vote, shall be qualified to vote for the election of members for the House of Representatives, under the residential qualifications. This provision is tantamount to manhood suffrage, and as Liberal a measuse as is necessary at the present time, and one which, for the reasons given, I will support. The bill to provide for a redistribution of seats on the basis of population receives my hearty approval, for no electorate in the • colony has suffered in like manner with this district under the present system, and many electorates are iv a similar position, though in a less degree than this constituency. Acknowledging the right of every taxpayer to have a voice in the selection of [Representatives, the principle—that upon the population of every district shall depend the number of members such a district shall be entitled to send to the House of. Representatives, is the only ono that can be adopted in fairnoss to all concerned. This is the view of the question held by Sir G. Grey, and is the principle incorporated in the proposed measure, which will call for the attention of your representatives in- the present session. Should I have the honor of being chosen to fill the seat to be vacated by Sir G. Grey I shall aid the Government in every way in huviug such a measure carried successfully through the Parliament. The more equitable distribution of the burdens of taxation is a matter of vital importance, and one affectiug this district, under its peculiar circumstances, very deeply. It is a question that, as your re- ! presentative, would secure my undivided i attention.

The mode of dealing in the futnre with the Crown lands is one in which this district is very much interested, and upon the wisdom of the course followed depends very much its future prosperity. I am in faror of all lauds held by the