Page 20 Advertisements Column 1

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 12, 11 July 1884, Page 20

TO THB ELECTORS OF ROSLYN DISTRICT. GENTLEMEN,— The result of the went session of Parliament has been that in consequence of a vote of no • confidence in the present Ministry being carried by a majority of nine, they have asked and obtained 'an appeal to the country. They might have followed a more dignified coarse " by at once resigning their posts and leaving to their opponents the task of forming a Government and carrying on the public j business. They have preferred to remain in office, and Parliament has been at their request dissolved. The niain isstte now before tbeelectore is whether or not they are prepared to endorse the action of tbe majority of their representatives in declaring they have no confidence inthe ". Continuous Ministry." I now respectfully solicit a renewal of your suffrages on the ground that I am opposed to the continuance of the present Government in. office. They Tiave been weighed in the balance and found wanting. For five sessions they have had the control'of public affairs. During all that time"' the Colony has been more or less in a depressed state, and yet no enquiry has been made into thecaußes of the depression, and not the slightest effort made towards its alleviation. The ordinary yearly expenditure has been heavily increased. A million and a half baa been borrowed for public buildings, and our permanent'burdens improperly enlarged for unproductive purposes. A wasteful centralisation has been steadily developed, and both the current expenditure and the appropriation of funds from loans have been partial and injudicious/intended 'more for the object of securing political support than for the'general welfare of the Colony. Tbe construction of the Otago Central, upon which the prosperity of Dnnedin and suburbs, as well as a productive interior, so' much depends, has been wilfully delayed in spite of urgent remonstrances, and money voted by Parliament forits prosecution' has been culpably spent elsewhere without authority. The policy of the Government, if policy it can be called, is ended in a large deficit, with the prospect of additional taxation. . Much might have been done in tbe way of settling the Crown lands by the immigration of substantial farmers with capital, but noexertion has been made in that direction, and" the Colony has been deprived of the remedy of an increase of skilled' producers, bringing means with them, to the enrichment of the country. Instead of that the Government have added to our difficulties by bringing in labour not at present required. The people ask for wise legislation and active encouragement to Ideal industries, and they are treated to an importation of torpedo boats and munitions of war. They ask for leave to manage their own affairs locally, and they are recommended to surrender their powers to a Federal Parliament. The whole expense of the armed Constabulary has been charged against revenue, and the reduction of taxes rendered impossible. By a proper organisation of our Volunteer force, and effective aid to it, the cost of the standing army might have been altogether avoided. If, in the face of all this, you have confidence in the present Government, and are of opinion that there should be no change, then I cannot hope for the honour of being your representative. If, on the other hand, you approve of the withdrawal of confidence from the Ministry, I will be gratified by having your support, will be prepared, to follow any Government who will endeavour, so far as lies in their power, to alleviate our existing depression ; who will be prepared to promote decentralisation and efficient local government ; who will prosecute vigorously tbe construction of the Otago Central Railway ; manage to the best possible advantaga the remnant of our public estates ; alter the present inddence of taxation which is now eventually rolled over on the overloaded shoulders of the mass of the people ; and who will countenance every well-digested plan of social reform brought forward by private members having in view the promotion of temperance, the regulation of the hours of labour and the development of* industry. There are other important topics which the limits of this address prevent me goin j fully into, but I may add tbat I am desirous to see the establishment of technical education, and amendments made in our educational system to lessen its cost and to do justice to all classes in the community. I am ready to advocate the establishment of Corporate ' Boards to manage our railway system. lam opposed to parting with bo valuable and improving an asset as our railways. lam opposed to any change in the duration of triennial Parliaments. I will support amendments in our system of representation, including female suffrage, and every measure which in my opinion will aid in promoting the comfort, happiness, and prosperity of tbe people. Your local 0 interests wiil always command my best attention, and I shall be prepared to bring before Parliament the subject of our paper curreucy, with the view of protecting the holders of notes and piomoting enterprise. The importance of this matter may be seen in tbe fact that the Victorian Government find it necessary to take up tbe question owing to the loss the community has sustained through the insolvency of the Oriental Bank, lam aware tbat many thoughtful men there are of opinion that the subject demands serious consideration. ' Thanking you sincerely for the confidence hitherto enjoyed; I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your most obedient servant. JOHN BATHGATE. June 30th.

TO THE ELECTORS OF DUNEDIN SOUTH. /"^1 ENTLEMEN, — I respectfully beg to intimate that lam VX a Candidate for your suffrages at the ensuing election. As I am conscious of having faithfully, to the best of my ability, fulfilled all the pledges I gave you three years ago, 1 feel that I can with confidence ask for a renewal of the support you then favoured me with. lam, Gentlemen, , Your obedient servant, H. S.FISH, JtJNBi ' Dunedin, July 3, 1884