Page 7 Advertisements Column 6

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4819, 24 November 1902, Page 7

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CTIY OP WELLINGTON. AND GENTLEMEN,— /When some weeks ago my friends requested me t° contest the coining election I found that many professional engagements would prevent my entering upon a political campaign with any credit to myself. I therefore decided to seek your suffrages upon a future occasion* but was persuaded at the last moment to consent to my nomination. I labour under the great disadvantage of being unable to secure a suitable building in which to address you. A succession of small meetings are not satisfactory, and therefore I am compelled to have recourse to the unique plan of addressing you through the newspapers. For nearly 20 years I have made thig country my home, and during that time have taken the greatest interest in ail matters social and political. I stood for Wellington on three previous occasions, therefore those electors, numbeiug nearly 5000, who so kindly voted for mo in the past—after attending my meetings in the Opera House and Theatre —are well acquainted with my political opinions, to which I still adhere. You all know that while electioneering CANDIDATES ARE PROFUSE WITH PROMISES. after the election they too often "lie low” until they wake up to renew them three years later. This has been the case invariably with regard to the CIVIL SERVANTS. whose present position of subservience to the Ministry is humiliating and degrading to men of independent disposition. They should be absolutely free from political control and secure in their posi. done. One of my first will be to ameliorate their condition. / In my long experience at the Bar I have had repeated proof that under our present Prison system we are MAKING CRIMINALS. I could give you numerous cases if space allowed. Take one Instance: A youth of 19, too fond of races, lost through the iniquitously legalised totalisator money borrowed from his employer without permission. It was the old story. After trial and conviction followed the usual intercourse with the lowest and most do praved criminals in the Prison yards. Like many others, the boy went in not really wicked —thoughtless and wanting in rectitude. ' A smart lesson ■would have done him 1 good, and under proper treatment he j might have become a better member of : society. He came out of prison depraved ! in mind aSad bod*, to the bitter grief of his parents—he is in gaol now for forgery. For numerous similar • cases, which I can prove, wo have to thank the Prisons Department, consisting of officials who are either ignorant or wilfully blind to the results of the present evil system. I have made specific charges against the department, and demanded an inquiry before a Supreme Court Judge, and this at the request of Visiting Justices and Prison Chaplains in all parts of the colony, who have communicated with me. and yet the Government will not move. Classification and many other reforms in pur prisons are absolutely necessary. 1 How loudly our legislators have talked of the Old-age Pension Act, by which every honest hard-working man and woman (provided they have not been able to save a single penny) are entitled to the paltry sum of 8s a week to keep body and soul together in their old age! Yet every worker, however poor, has to pay taxes on the necessaries of life to provide the thousands annually spent in the mismanagement of our public institutions. Every prisoner costs the country nearly .£1 a week tcK.keep. Electors, the men you return to Parliament are your paid servants, and are accountable to you for their actions; If you return me I have determined to meet my constituents two or three times during each session.for a social discussion of politics in order that I may make myself thoroughly acquainted with your views and opinions. I AM NO NEEDY POLITICIAN, seeking your representation for the sake of the honorarium. 1 Lave no family or relatives seeking billets, but am perfectly free to devote my time and abilities to your service. X was told by my supporters that I lost on© election because I advocated the reading of the BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. If the same objection still exists to my candidature, I will rather lose another election than alter my opinions on that subject. I am indebted to the ''Post" for calling attention to the Act repealing the provision against canvassing for votes. The legislation of the last Parliament is a little curious'. • The members when elected in December, 1899, nearly all pledged themselves to give us necessary electoral reforms. In October, 1900, they legislated against canvassing, and then, before any effect could be given to their own legislation, it appears that last session they passed an Act repealing by a mere number in a schedule the electoral reforms they had previously granted. This will give you some idea of the INTELLIGENCE OF THE LEGISLATORS in the last Parliament and the value of their promises. On several occasion© recently the Judges of the Supreme Court have said that it is impossible to interpret the laws they have made. Electors, trill you return the same men again? Tours obediently. E. G. JELLICOE.