Page 3 Advertisements Column 3

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 28, 16 August 1887, Page 3

TO THE ELECTORS OX IBSEAST COAST ELECTORAL DISTRICT. having been dissolved, I venture tu address you as a Candidate for the East Coast Electoral District. As you are well aware, the present Native land laws are antagonistic to the settlement of the large area of Native lands in this district. My idea of the respective Native Ministers of the last two Governments is that neither of them is competent to deal with the question of Native' lands, and, as X have said on previous occasions, I will oppose any Minister who will not support the policy of free trade in Native lands, Xam in favor of free trade in Native lands, with ample reserves for the Native owners, and the appointment of a permanent Native Land Court Judge to subdivide individual interests. With regard to Crown Lands, I believe in liberal land laws, and a thorough trial

of the system of deferred payments. At the same time I should wish to see capitalists arriving in the Colony have an opportunity given them of acquiring a freehold property from the Crown, should they so desire. “Hansard” shows that I only lost the East Coast Land Bill by one vote. This Bill would have given this Electorate a Waste Lands Board of its own. I regret no steps have been taken with regard to this very important question. The financial position of the colony is a subject requiring grave consideration, I should support a policy of retrenchment and economy in the administration of public affairs, with moderate taxation and an equitable amount of support to the various Colonial industries, I consider that the cost of ths present system of education bears too heavily on the ratepayers, and that retrenchment in this direction is imperative.

I am in favor of a Land and Income Tax, Having served the East Coast constituency as a Member for six years in Parliament, should you honor me with your confidence I shall use my experience and energy to urge with determination the various requirements of Cook County and the County of Wairoa, interests which, should I be elected as an Independent Member, pledged to no person or party, it will not bo wanting on my put to bring to a successful issue. From the above it will be seen that the three main supports of my platform are (1.) Freetrade in Native Lands with a permanent Judge of the Native Land Court for this district. (2.) Waste Land Board of our own election. (3.) Land and Income Tax. On reference to Hansard you will find that this is the policy I have supported since the commencement of my career as a public man. It is my intention to address a public meeting as early as possible, when I wil’ discuss any measures leading to the welfare of the District, and the Colony at large. I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your Obedieng Servant, allan McDonald. Turihau, 18th July, 1887. A/| RS. E. H. SCOTTER Nee Miss Huggins. TEACHER of MUISIC and DRAWING is prepared to give Lessons at her Residence, Carnarvon Street. One Guinea per Quarter (in advance). Commences from First Lesson. Classes for Drawing.