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Temuka Leader, Issue 1203, 12 July 1884, Page 2

TO THE ELECTOKS OF GEKAL DINE.

Gentlemen, -The time is drawing nigh when the Electors will be cnlled upon to exercise a privilege conferred upon therri by a Liberal Government, viz., of Electing a Member to represent them in the forth-: coming Parliament. Two Gentlemen have offered their services to this Constituency, of whose morol qualities there can be no question. One claims your confidence and support on the merits of the services he has already rendered to the colony ; the other claims your snpport on the merits of the friendship which exists between himself and a number of the constituents. It is frue that Mr Cox comes before yon with a testimonial of which he has every renron to be proud, but has the thought struck the Electors that Mr Cox, having served some eight years in Parliament, in all his addresses has not referred in one single instance to any measures he supported or any scheme he propounded during those eight years. Does Mr Cox forget how many times he spoke in the House during that period, and to what purpose ? He remembers having seen Mr Stafford and Mr Weld together on the same benches and afterwards opposed to each other ; he remembers Mr Atkinson and Mr Vogel, first in opposition and then sitting on the same benches. But can he not remember any part he played in the affairs of the colony, for during that time some very important measures were passed. If Mr Cox had told us some of these things, we should have been better able to "judge of his qualifications for the position he is seeking ; but instead of referring to any of his own public acts, he refers only to those of Mr Kolleston, and sums up the whole matter by implying that Mr Rolleston has been in the balance and found wanting. Mr Cox stated at Temuka that Mr Rolleston had got his testimonial from his last place—a 'vote of no-confidenco. Let us look at the other side of the picture. Dr Grace —a gentleman whose sterling worth 'and moral and social position raises him above the suspiciou of flattery—made use of the following words in the Upper House on June 13th, 1884 : " If there is one fact which stands forth " prominently before the colony at the " present time it is the public services "of the Minister of Lands, and if there " is one fact that is recognised from the "Three Kings to Stewart Island it is " the unflagging industry, the unselfish"ness, the intelligence, and the real liability that he has displayed in the " work of his department. If there is one " thing more valuable to this country " than another it is the high character of "its public men, and when a public man " who has made his mark for honesty, in- " dustry and ability is subject to hostile " criticism in one part of the colony—- " brought about by a perfectly natural combination of circumstances, " provoked by his integrity and cour- " age—that is the time when we " should step forth and recognise his " merits. The one great quality which " marks nobility is unselfishness, and I '• say that the Minister of Lands possesses " that in an eminent degree. Let us take " a nearer view of the position he envoys "after living in this colony about a " quarter of a century, admittedly not a "rich man, and he has never made a " sixpence out of the Crown Laods of the "colony, notwithstanding all his oppor- " tunities. These are the men to whom "in our hearts we do honour." Fellow Electors, what kind of testimonial is this 1 Is it not such a one that should make us as an electorate feel proud to return as our representative a gentleman of such a high reputation. And now let me appeal to you to calmly consider your responsibfl:'ies. Let not the bond of friendship, nOJ any party feeling or prejudices swerve you from performing a duty—you owe to your country, to yourselves, and to the f.uure generation, of supporting the best man—for if ever there was a time in the history of the colony when it wanted true, honest, aDd tried men at the helm of affairs to keep her. from drifting on .to shoals and breakers, that time is now. AN ELECTOR.

TO THE ELECTORS OF GERALDINE. XJ repeatedly asked to come forward as a Candidate for the representation of this district, I have at length consented to do so. I waited in the hope of seeing a more able man brought forward in the interests of the working classes, and am therefore late in the field, but there is good time yet. Reserve your pledges until you hear my views, which I shall be happy to lay before you at the earliest possible opportunity, though not necessarily before the day of nomination. I am decidedly opposed to the present Government, iind am anxious to do what I can to briDg about a thorough change in the administration of our public affairs, believing as I do that to the late Governwent—and the corrupting influences of the Bank of New Zealand and olher large Land and Loan Companies that have been brought to bear upon it—this_ Colony owes its present depressed and impoverished condition. My services therefore are at your disposal. If you do me the honor to elect ms you will not regret it. I want no Committee, but will simply rely upon the pood sense of the people as a whole to secure my return. 1 am, Gentlemen, Yours truly, j y l2 FRANCIS FRANKS.

-Jl/TR A LFRED Reqnests the ELECTORS OF GERALDItfE TO MEET HIM AT BANGITATA, ON TUESDAY, JULY 15th. At MILFORD and WAITOHI on dateH be giren in future notice. ], SUBSuRIBEiiS are requested to immediately report to this Office, ary irregularity which may occur in the dblivery of th?'r paoera