Page 5 Advertisements Column 1

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3378, 20 October 1879, Page 5

SSLECTOBAL THAMES ELECTORATE TO THE ELECTORS pi EN'ELEMEN, —As a candidate V3T soliciting your suffrutfes I am desirous that no misunderstanding should exist, 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 and his Ministry, having introduced the present Liberal policy to the ParKnment and the Country, I look upon his party as the best qualified to be intrusted with . carrying the measures referred to in the Governor's speech through the Legislaturs, and the administration of the same when they become the .lew of the laud. As tiie measures mentioned are only a few jf those required to insure a Liberal poli'y being introduced ia the management of the affairs of the colony, I am prepared, if elected, to support Sir Geo. Grey and the Liberal party in carrying such oilier measures as may be required in developing 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 Bill I believe to bo 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 frequentreturn of representatives to the consti tnencies, and affording opportunities for the taxpayers to make known their wants and opinions upon all subjects affecting their welfare to such representatives ; the belter to secure fair legislation. The success which has attended the introduction of this measure in the Parliaments of other dependencies of the British Crown prove without question the wisdom of having such a law ia this colony. •^That all 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 tbo law providing for Triennial Parliaments, it is necessary that the greatest facilities should be granted them for qualifying themselves to lake part in the' return of suitable representatives; aad this fact leads me to consider (he proposed Electoral Bill included in the Liberal programme. That the present Registration of Electors Act is faulty in the extreme, that under it thousands of taxpayers in the colony are debarred from exercising their privileges, and that with its regulations it is impossible to ensure an easy and correct registration of electors, all who are in aSy way aeauainted with its working will admit, so that the necessity of having a new ordinance is therefore apparent. I will support, if elected, the Government in placing on the Statute Book as the law „ of the land, the Bill introduced by the Hon. J. Sheehan, and at present before - Parliament, and which places within the reach, of every man the means of registering himself as an elector under the residential qualification. It provides that every maie person of the age of 21 years, not being a Maori, and being a natural born, or naturalized 1 subject of herMajesty, who has resided for twelve months in J^ew Zealand, and in the electoral district for which the vote is to be given, for the six months previous to the date of his claim to vote, shall be qualified to vote for the election of members for the House of HepreFeutatives, 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 gi7en, 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 colpay has suffered in like manner with this district under the present system, and many electorates are in 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 the principle—that upon the population of every district shall depend the number of member." such a district shall be entitled to send to the House of Uepresen- j tatives, is the only one that cau be adopted in fairness 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 yo-.ir representatives in the present session. Should I have the honor of beiusj chosen to fill the seat to bo vacated by Sir GGrey I shall aid the Government in every way in having such a measure carried successfully through the Parliament. Xhe more equitable distribution of the burdens of taxation is a matter of vital 1 importance, and one tiffecting this district, under its peculiar circumstances, very deeply. It is a question that, as yoxir representative, would secure my undivided attention. The mode of dealing in the future with ihe Crowu lands is one in which this district is very much interc'Sted, and upon the wisdom of the course followed depends very much its future prosperity. I am in favor of all lands held by the Government being thrown open for free selection on the deferred pay meat system', and at a premium price of 20a per acre. Ji'ot one small block of hind at a time, but areas suilicient to meet the requirements ! ot all. The area allowed one person to be limited, and tliD condition of residence to ] bu attached. 1 i)uiicve : the question of suitable jam! ,kws for thLs eoiony to bo the m.";»surw eof? tho future,-ami.with the re-distribulibn'oflue burden.* of taxation, .one-'which must be seriously taken into j consideration by the legislature, and that at an early date. y / "rt The course (o be pursued''by the Government for defiling with the natives for their kuds is a subject of great impor-f tance, i.nd, whiio it 13 qu te necessary that the natives should receive a fair price for their pvij.';."S:.io:i«i, it is, at the sumo time, desirable i!mr the colony should bo the purchaser; :u>d thnt lar^o tnu:Ls of country sh•/■!id not (all into iho hands of laud aputiulatoiK, irons whom, in the course of iiaic, the colonists would be compelled to jmrcliudc, pi-obably at exorbitant rates, or to least; at heavy rentuls. That facilities