Page 20 Advertisements Column 2

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 13, 18 July 1884, Page 20

. TO THE ELECTORS OP BOSLYN DISTRICT. aENTLEMEN,— The result of the recent session of Parliament has been that in consequence of a vote of no confidence in the present Ministry being carried by a maioritv of nine, they have asked and obtained an appeal to the country. They might have followed a more dignified course by at once resigning their posts and leaving to their opponents the task of forming a Government and carrying on the public business. They have preferred to remain in office, and Parliament has been at their request dissolved. The main issue now before the electors is whether or not they are prepared to endorse the action of tbe majority of their representatives in declarine they have no confidence in the " 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 have 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 hag been more or less in a depressed st»te, and yet no enquiry has been made into the causes of the depression, and not the slightest effort made towards its alleviation. The ordinary yearly" expenditure has been heavily increased. A million and a- naif has been borrowed for public buildings, and our permanent burdens improperly enlarged for unproductive purposes. A wasteful centralisa. tion 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 Dunedin 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 for its prosecution has been culpably spent elsewhere without authority. Tbe 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 the way of settling the Crown lands by the immigration of substantial farmers with capital, but no exertion 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 local 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 Feieral 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 wbo 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 cunstruction of the Otago Central Railway ; manage to the best p>sible advanta^ the remnant of our public estates ; alter the present incidence of taxation which is now eventually rolled over on the overloaded shoulders of the mass of the people ; and who will coun-enance every well-digested plan of social reform brought forward by private members having in view the promotion of temperance, tbe regulation of tbe hours of labour apdthe development of industry. Tbere are other important topics wmch the limits of thiß address prevent me Roing fully into, but I may add that I am desirous to see the establishment of technical education, and amendments made in our educ it ional 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 partiug with so valuable and improving an asset as our railways. lam opposed to any change in the duration of triennial Parliaments. 1 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 the people. Your local interests will always command my best attention, and I shall be prepared to bring before Parliament tbe 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 the fact that the Victorian Government find it necessary to take up the question owing to the loss the community has sustained through the insolvency of the Oriental Bank. lam aware that 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. T „ JOHN BATHGATE. June 30th. TO THE ELECTORS OP DUNEDIN SOUTH. rj.ENTi.EMEN,— I respectfully beg to intimate that lam KA a Candidate for your suffrages at the ensuing election. As I am conscious'tof 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, „ _ . B ,M., M . H. S. PISH, JUNB. Dunedin, July 3, 1884.