IX> THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY. OF WELLINGTON. fi ENTLEjIEN— I have the hardihood to \y ofter myself as a candidate for the honor of if presenting the City in the next Parliament. It may be asked ' ? What claim have I on your suffrage 1" I answer, " None whatever. , But my reason for asking h that I am ot opinion that tho interests of the working men, the interests of the people at large, are made subservient to the welfare of the landed, squatting, and mercantile interests. That under free and liberal iastitutions a landed oligarcbv is graspiner, holding-, and keeping unimproved the land, to the detriment of the Colony, and that the working class have no representative in the House to watch over their interests as they ought to have. It may be said that lam endeavoring: to set the working class against the raonied or mercantile class. Such is not my object. My object is, that that class should have a representative in the House, capable of looking- at all measures introduced v.ith n working man's view— not to obstruct the Government— but so to assist and advise with them as to what, and in which manner, the measures they introduce will affect the working class, that they shall have no reason for dissatisfaction because they have no voice in their consideration or passing. The abolition of the Provincial form of Government has my hearty approval, and if the Government will only divide the country into workable districts, with elective administrative bodies with sufficient powers, the people may be safely left to govern themselves. - The proposition to form the Colony into four Provinces and to separate the Islands is so ridiculous that it .should not be entertained for a moment. The Public Works Scheme should be pushed on briskly, but economically, and great retrenehmeiit made in the expense of Government. The tariff should be altered, so that Customs duties may be levied on the. luxuries of life, and not on the necessaries. Provision should be made for the sustcntation of aged and infirm persons and friendless children, and settlement ou the land should be fostered. The nominated Legislative Council should, be abolished, and an Upper House, with members elected for teu or twelve years, should be substituted. A Laud, Property, and Income tax should be imposed, and wealth should contribute its J fair share to the revenue, which hitherto it has*! not done. An early improvement is needed in the Licensing Act, and hotels should be open for a few hours on Sunday evenings— »to enable the working *men to meet and discuss questions affecting themselves. Landlords should be treated as men desirous of conforming to the lnw.jiud not as suspicious characters to be kept in awe by a policeman's baton, or an Inspector's caprice-or spite. Gentlemen, these are some of my opinions on social and political matters. I shall endeavor to carry out the provisions of the Ballot Act in its integrity, although I do not approve .it. The individual independence of Britons made England what it is; and if ever New Zealand is to become a powerful nation, its sous must learn to speak the sentiment of their mind fearlessly and firmly. • I shall attend no Public Meetings where political bias is rampant, but "state my views in this journal, the managers of which have treated me with liberality. - Should I be one of your choice, you may rely on it that no one will more unceasingly watch over the interest of the City and the Colony at large, to the best of his ability, Than Gentlemen ? Your obedient servant, C. MOODY.. Wellington, 26th November, 1875. TO THE ELECTORS OF THE WELLINGTON COUNTRY DISTRICT. ri ENTLEMEN— I offer you my services to \JT represent you ia the Parliament about to be elected, and I solicit your support. Five years ago, when Twos personally known to but very few amongst you, I was induced to contest the seat with the sitting member, and although I was then unsuccessful, the support which was accorded me, and the encouragement and kindness which I experienced in all parts of the district, incline me to believe that now, when I am better known both personally and publicly, my candidature will prove acceptable to a majority of ray fellow-electors. When I last addressed you, I expressed a strong conviction that one Government and one Legislature would be quite competent to provide for the peace, order, and good government of the Colony. I urged that the existing; form of Provincial Government should be abolished, and that the management and administration of matters of purely local concern should be placed in the lianas of Municipal or Shire Councils, endowed with necessary means and •well denned powers.- These views were not then generally popular, but I have the satisfaction of knowing that they are now entertained by a large majority of the electors of the Colony. I hope to see them effectually carried out by the new Parliament, and trust that I may be enabled to have a part in the task of framing new institutions, calculated to fully develop the true principles of local self-govern-ment, and so promote the well-being of the Colony. Believing that the people should be consulted before any radical constitutional changes were mfide 1, during tlfe late session, strenuously opposed the proposal that an expiring Parliament should .legislate definitely on the subject. With the form in which the Abolition Bill became law, I however, cordially agree, and I need scarcely say that I. should to the utmost oppose any attempt to prolong the existence of the present- Province's as political entities, or to revive Provincialism in any shape or way. - The proposal to create two Provinces in each island I regard as especially dangerous. The practical effect would be insular separation, and the whole scheme is altogether opposed to Colonial interests. No plan of Constitutional reform will be complete which does not provide for an alteration in the Constitution .of the Legislative Council, so as to bring that body- more into accord with the spirit of Representative Government. " I think, also, that the financial condition of the colony demands the earnest attention of the people, and that economical reform in the administration of colonial finance is impera-. tively required, as well as a revision of the incidence of taxation, so that the revenue may be raised more equitably as well as be administered more prudently. On these and other subjects of interest at the present time r I shall take an early opportunity of addressing you fully and personally. I hare the honor to remain, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, E. T. GILLON.
CAUTION. "DEFORE you buy your next suit, call and inspect my stock of COLONIAL MADE CLOTHING, manufactured to my own order, and the tweeds all thoroughly shrunk.' You will find the best value for your money in Wellington. JOHN THORBURN, City Clothing Mart, Willis-street, Opposite Messrs Barbers', Butchers. NEW COLONIAL INDUSTRY. MESSRS CUTLER & MOORE, the.only bona fide Pianoforte and Harmonium Makers in the colony. Organ-Harmoniums, with reeds and pipes, to order, from £20 to £200. Pianos renovated throughout. Organ Pedals added to chamber organs, pianos, or harmoniums. Estimates given for the enlargement, removal, or erection of church' organs. Mr Cutler's GRADUATING KNEE SWELL, for the perfect production of crescendos and diminuendos, can be added to harmoniums of any size. Tuning, &c WILLIS AND MANNERS-STREETS. J. HUXLEY, mAILOR, DRAPER, HABIT-MAKER, J, AND CLOTHING MANUFACTURER, Formerly of Broadway, New York, late of Cornhill, London, now of Manners-street, opposite New Zealander Hotel, Wellington. Coats, Vests, and Trousers made to measure. Fit, Fashion, and Workmanship guaranteed, at very moderate prices for READY MONEY. White duck vests ...15s Alpaca coats 15s Cricketing trousers .^. ... 22s 6d
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume XII, Issue 130, 30 November 1875, Page 4
Word Count
1,292Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 Evening Post, Volume XII, Issue 130, 30 November 1875, Page 4
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