TO THE ELECTORS OF THE SUBURBAN DISTRICT. GENTLEMEN — A vacancy having arisen in the representation of your district in the General Assembly, I beg to announce my candidature for the seat. As, my opinions on public affairs must he tolerably well known to most of ybu, it is not necessary I Bhould here make any formal statetement of them. I will how ever briefly say that having always been an advocate of a progressive policy, I shall, if elected, give my hearty support to the scheme of public works now before the country, while afc the same time I will oppose any extravagant or unproductive expenditure. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, CHARLES ELLIOTT. Mr. ELLIOTT will |be glad to MEET the ELECTORS at the undermentioned places, on the Evenings respectively named, for the purpose of giving an exposition of his views on the great public questions of the day: — Institute Stoke, Friday, Apiil 25 Bridge Hotel, Waimea East, Saturday, „ 26 Appleby Schoolhouse, Monday, „ 28 Black Horße. Suburban North, Tuesday „ 29 The Chair will be taken each evening at 7 o'clock. Nelson, April 19, 1873. 996
TO THE ELECTORS OF THE SUBURBAN DISTRICT. GENTLEMEN,— Having been requested by a number of the electors of your district to allow myself to be nominated for the seat in Parliament just vacant by the resignation of Mr. Richardson, I beg to inform you that I have much pleasure in doing so. As I have been personally known to many of you for a number of years, ifc is hardly necessary to state at any length my views on the political subjects now before the public, particularly as it appears, to me that there is scarcely any difference in the policy of the Government and that of the Opposition, as both parties seem to agree in thinking that New Zealand is too far committed to the Public Works and Immigration policy to go back or alter it in any way now; and the only real difference that exists between them is the mode in which and by whom it is to be canied out. For my own part, I prefer trusting the carrying out of the policy to the men who initiated it, rather than to those who opposed ifc when it was first brought forward before the House and the country. It must be admitted that the Government in launching this large scheme have fallen into some mistakes, but I think, when it is considered that it was entirely new to the country and people, entailing the establishment of new departments and staff of officers, thostf mistakes could hardly be avoided, and I yet trust to see the whole policy so successfully carried out as to ensure progress and prosperity in all parts of the Colony. With this view 1 6hould like to see the Government give all the encouragement and aid in its power to those Provinces which, like ours, are endeavoring to raise funds to open communication by railway with the interior, which lines are not in the schedule of the Railway Act, nor have any of the loan for railway purposes allotted to them. The opening up the interior in this manner, thereby furnishing more country for our increasing population, and for those that are arriving, giving a cheap and quick transit for all produce to market, is what is needful for our advancement, and nothing will tend so much towards it as a complete and economical system of railways running from North to South. It is scarcely necessary to add that my vote will always be recorded with those who favor opening up and settling the country in some such manner. The next subject of importance to which I will allude is the administration of Native affairs. I am sure that any person who remembers the state in which the Natives were a few years .back, and compares it with the present time, must congratulate the Colony on the marked success of the policy of the Government. I know it is the fashion of many to sneer and laugh at it, but is ifc not cheaper than War? Is not the Northern Island in a much more flourishing condition than it was a year or two ago, with roads now running through it, settlers extending far into the interior,' and the telegraph wire reaching from one end of it to the other ? Few can deny that these are great results for a ievr years of peaceful Government. The Natives appear to have regained their confidence in the Europeans and ' Colonial Government, so much so, as to justify the hope that if the same judicious administration continues, our small but expensive Constabulary force may be reduced to almost nominal strength, thereby saving to the Colony no inconsiderable sum. The termination of the San Francisco Mail Service will make it necessary fbr the Assembly to make provision for some other, and I am glad to see that there is every prospect of the Australian Colonies uniting to establish a line, which, if undertaken by an English Company under the auspices of the Home and Colonial Government, is sure to be carried out with regularity and speed ; we shall no doubt have to be content with a branch steamer, which while answering all purposes, will also have the advantage of economy in our Ocean Mail Service. The better organization of our Civil Service : demands the early attention of Government, and I trust whoever is in power will devote some time to this object, for the cost to the country must be now very large indeed, when, by a judicious amalgamation of offlces, and abolishing some Departments, a great saving might, I am confident, be effected, These are my views, Gentlemen, which I have briefly brought before you. If they meet' with your approval, I shall be glad to serve you, and you may rest assured that I will ever keep a watchful care, not only on your interests but also upon those of the whole Colony. . „ I hare the honor to be, Gentlemen, Tour obedient servant, A J. RICHMOND. The Cliffs, Nelson, $lat April, 1873. ioi
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Bibliographic details
Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 99, 25 April 1873, Page 4
Word Count
1,028Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 99, 25 April 1873, Page 4
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