Page 5 Advertisements Column 2

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 279, 5 June 1873, Page 5

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE MOUNT BENGER DISTRICT. GENTLEMEN,— In reply to the numerously signed requisition I havo been honored with, I beg to place my services at your disposal as a candidate for the representation of this district in the Provincial Council. In dealing with the present aspect of politics, it is almost impossible to separate General Government from Provincial affairs. The Opposition to the Public Works policy principally emanating from the Province has, owing to the success of that wise and statesman-like scheme, found vent in the covert hostility which led to [the so-called constitutional question — the immediate cause of the want-cf-confidence motion in the TolmieBastings Government, .and the present dissolution. To my mind, it appears clear that a constitutional question of no slight importance is involved — namely, whether any respect is due by the representatives of the people to the expression of opinion of a vast majority of their constituents ; or whether an elective assembly is to be held as utterly independent of public opinion. Upon this broad question, Mr. Macandrew has appealed to the electors. j My feelings and interests are so inseparably connected with mining, that it is natural I should give a prominent place to matters immediately concerning the : goldfields population. The want of sound legislation on mining questions is an urgent necessity, and such legislation in my opinion, should embrace, groater security of tenure to miners, freedom from vexatious taxation, and a fair share of public expenditure for goldfields pur- | poses. ! 1. Greater security of tenure. This is ; a most urgent necessity ; for as matters stand, the Waste Lands Board have ! power to ruin any miner by selling the land on which he pursues his avocation, 2. Freedom from vexatious taxation. | In this category, I place first and foremost j the iniquitous gold duty, a direct and crushing impost upon labor. The innumerable fees which attend the administration of justice also requires careful revision. 3. The small proportion of the public revenue expended on the goldfields is a direct injustice, as, without mentioning the large direct revenue, the mining population are the largest contributors to the customs revenue of the colony. In this district in particular, road 3 and bridges are in a disgraceful condition, and many most necessary works utterly ignored. I would specially refer to the pressing | need of a passable dray track to the Waikaia — the most promising of our un - developed goldfields. It is also only a matter of fair play that a portion of the expenditure for railway purposes should be devoted to developing the outlying goldfields' districts. Lines connecting Tapanui — the great timber-producing centre — with Switzers, where that timber is urgently required for mining purposes, and Roxburgh, and the other townships in the Valley of the Molyneux, with one or other of the trunk systems, are lines not only calculated to benefit large and increasing industrial populations, but also most likely to prove highly remunerative to the general public. A question of vital importance to the mining community, namely the sale of auriferous land, has recently attained considerable importance. In my opinion such sales are both injurious and unjust, and should be sternly repressed. For the blunders of the past I believe a rigorous enforcement of the Queen's prerogative in regard to the royal metals will in a great measure atone. To secure so desirable an end no effort on my part shall be wanting. The Land Question has to a great extent been settled by the passing of the Waste Lands Act, 1872. Still my own predilections are, have been, and ever will be in favor of free selection, deferred payments, and ample provision for commonage. As I hope to have an opportunity of meeting you personally, I shall defer further explanations until that time. In conclusion, I beg to assure you that in the event of my return I shall devote all the talent with which the Almighty may have gifted me to earnest and honest efforts on behalf of the welfare and progress of the district, of the province, and of the colony. I remain, Your obedient servant, CHARLES NICHOLSON. Ettrick, June 2, 1873.