MEETING OF THE ELECTORS.

Marlborough Press, Volume IX, Issue 594, 3 June 1868, Page 5

MEETING OF THE ELECTORS.

A meeting of the electors of the Picton District, took place at the Council Chambers, Picton, on Friday evening, May 29th, for the purpose of hearing ah exposition of D Sickler’s views as a candidate for the vacant seat in the House of Representatives. Mr Marks was called to the chair, on taking which he said, he wished it to be distinctly understood that he was not pledged to either of the candidates for the vacant seat. He then asked the meeting to be pleased to accord the speaker a quiet hearing. Dr Sickler then addressed the electors. He said, he was a candidate for the seat in House of Kepresentatives, vacated by Mr Adams. He would crave the indulgence of the meeting in any short-comings he might have, but would say that whatever those short comings were, he was perfectly sincere in his offer to be their representative. Before commencing to give an exposition of his views, he would again deny being brought forward by Mr Eyes ; he was perfectly independent both in action and idea. Provincialism v. Centralism, was the first great question of the day. He was entirely opposed to Provincialism as existing. Provincialism, he thought had been the ruin of the colony. He would support the foundation of counties ; districts being governed by boards. By such a system of government, expense would be greatly lessened, as he presumed most of the posts would be taken honrary. ~ Each of the separate pro vinces were now governed by a piece of Mock Parliament, without the benefits of a real one, by which system a great deal of money was wasted in paying large numbers of officials. The system-of government by counties would be far better and far cheaper, as only a few paid officers would be required. Taxation was the next important question to be touched upon, and one about which there was a great difference of opinion. He was decidedly opposed to the present systerii of taxation. Direct taxation was required, and he would prefer an Income Tax. He would be in favor of doing away with the duty on necessaries, or ordinary goods, such as tea, sugar, See., and taxing anything in the shape of luxuries, ad valorem. (Applause). He was also in favor of an Acreage or. Property Tax. All property lieid in the colony should bear a certain amount of taxation. Improvements he thought should not be taxed, or should bear but a minimum tax ; while unimproved land should be heavily taxed, and-land held by absentees still more so. In the sale of land in this colony, a great injustice was done to the poor man, or a man with a limited capital; for, in buying land in the colony he had to pay the full sum for it at the end of a month, taking the whole of bis capital, and thereby crippling him. This system was pernicious and injurious to the interests of the colony. He was in favor of the free selection system of Victoria, under which a man bought land at a fair pi ice,'only having to pay a certain portion of the purchase money per year until paid off. This gave a fair chance to the poor man. Education he would like to see carried out under the Prussian system, and made compulsory ; for until it wa made compulsory, more gaols would be required than schools. The question of Education ought not to have anything to do with the Government. A Central Board ought to be established ; all monies for Educational purposes being paid to that board ; which board should have the control of Educational matters throughout the colony. Vote by ballot he thought could be beneficially introduced into the colony, and was a measure that would have his most earnest support, as tending to a greater freedom in voting. The carrying nut of all the above measures with the exception of the last, turned on one little pivot, viz., money. All Government extravagances must be done away with, The Panama Mail was a useless expense, which could be carried out by the Suez Mail equally as well, and at one-quarter of the expense ; and a reduction in the subsidies of the Inxrco onial Mails could be very well made. The sum 0£.£32,0ti0 was spent yearly in the pay of ltesident Magistrates. This item could be greatly reduced, as Kesident Magistrates’ positions could be filled by Justices of the Peace, except in large communities, where it might be advisable to retain them. In all these expenses, great reduction was necessary, as the whole Colony was greatly in debt—a debt to which the Provinces were annually adding. He thought it would be advisable to form a Government Bank, similar in construction to the National Bank of England. By - a Government issue of notes, guaranteed by the whole Colony, the Government would be enabled gradually to pay off its present debt by saving the paying of the interest to other banks on the various loans, which interest amounted to over £400,000 annually. Ketrenchment was the cry of the day, but it was a useless cry until the colonists themselves came forward to help the Government; and, this could be done by those competent, coming forward and filling offices without pay, upon which, at the present time, money was being uselessly lavished. If petty jealousies between the Government and people were wiped away, and more unanimity in working existed, a better state of affairs would be the result. He had now explained his opinions on the many questions of the day, and, if elected, would promise to verify the views he had enunciated. The Chairman then called upon the meeting to ask the candidate any questions. In answer to a question from Mr Price, Dr Sipkler said lie was not in favor 1 of vote by ballot in the House of Parlianient. In answer to another question from the same gentleman as to what was'his opinion of the laws relating to women, and whether he thought they ought not to be allowed the franchise (laughter) ; said he was afraid that the time had not yet arrived for that. In answer to a question from Mr Martello, Dr Sickler again denied being brought forward by Mr Eyes. The reason lie intended to go home a short time back, and had since altered his mind, wus that he had received a letter from home about some property that he had there, but that a letter by the following mail obviated that necessity. Mr Taylor, of Mahakipawa, was the first to tell him Mr Adams had resigned ; and it was when Mr Seymour went round canvassing for Mr Richardson, that he was asked. and agreed to stand. He had nothing to do witli Mr Fox or Mr Eyes, either in action or idea. If it was a political crime to be a private friend of Mr Eyes, he could not help it. In answer to a question from Mr Martello, Dr Sickler said lie thought jurymen on criminal cases were entitled to a nominal fee for their services. Mr Jas. Fuller wished to know if Dr Sickler would support an Income Tax, as well as the present Customs Tariff. Dr Sickler would not support heavier taxation, and therefore would not support the two. In answer to a second question from the same gentleman, Dr Sickler said that if requested by a majority of the electors, he would immediately resign after the first session was over. Dr Sickler in answer to Mr Martello, said his professional duty would not interfere with his duty to his constituents. In answer to another question from Mr Price, Dr Sickler thought that the payment of members of the House could be reduced to, 6ay onehalf the amount now paid. There being no J other questions to put to the candidate, the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to Dr Sickler, and the chairman.