ADELAIDE.

Wellington Independent, Volume VII, Issue 586, 24 May 1851, Page 4

ADELAIDE.

At a meeting held on Thursday the 2nd April at Mr Wright's, Salisbury, for the purpose of giving a hearing to Mr Hanson, the following declaration of principles was enunciated."—

Mr Hanson said that, altho' lie was called upon to expound his political principles it was scarcely necessary for him to enter into detailes, having done so on several former occasions. He would, however, observe, as a candidate demanding their suffrages, that all legislation should tend to promote the good of the people, and the latter were the proper parties to judge whether or not such was the case. All who paid taxes ought to have a voice in framing those laws which subject them to such taxation,—subject to the only qualification of being of mature age, sane mind, and permanent, or apparently permauent residency. It was most important for the obtaining of free and pure representation, to guard against all unfair influence of employers dictating to their servants, or even a combination of servants to their employers,— and on this ground he advocated vote by ballot, or secret voting. In regard to the qualification of candidates, he considered that the people should have an unlimited choice and there should be no prescriptive qualification beyond living among them, and proving himself worthy of support. As to the question of nomineeism, none but an elected member ought to have a vote. It was really monstrous to have eight nominees in Council, and only sixteen elected members, but the New Council must take care to improve the system in that respect. On the point of legislation he held as the first law that every man be empowered to make the best profit of his produce, and enjoy the fruit of his industry. Among the great grievances in the colony was the Impounding Act, and the question was involved in great difficulties to determine on a satisfactory remedy. As far as he could judge, however, there ought to be no irapoundings from unfenced lands, and even in regard to fenced lands there ought to be a cheaper process of remedy. There should be a fencing Act, including a provision that no person should be allowed to benefit by the expenditure of fencing to which he had not contributed, and an effectual remedy for

trespass on such expenditure. On thn question of Roads, he was of opinion that the colony should bo divided into districts of convenient sizes, —these to elect Commissioners yearly, who in their turn would elect a Central Board,- -the main li nes to be made and upheld from the revenuo and the district roads by light local taxation. The question of education he coiil sidered of the highest importance. It was not possible to render education universal, but it ought to be brought as nearly so as possible. Education was to prepare persons for this world, and religion for the next; and it was most unwise in the State to confound one with the other by interfering in any manner with religion. Education on the contrary, should be zealously upheld by the State. On the various other questions generally canvassed, his sentiments were amply known and he merely as a matter of form, more than necessity, had given them the above outlines of his principles. He would therefore conclude by declaring his readiness to answer any questions that those present might choose to ask.

Mr Hare asked if Mr. Hanson would resign when required to do so by a clear majority.

Mr Hanson said he undoubtedly would —and further, if he should change his political opinions he should feel bound to resign if required to do so by half a dozen. On the contrary, if they changed, ha would require a clear majority before he acceded to such a demand.