MR RICHMOND’S MEETING.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2381, 18 November 1870, Page 2

MR RICHMOND’S MEETING.

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. (FROM GRENVILLE'S TELEGRAM COMPAin - , reltek’s agents. ) Taranaki vti Wanganui, J. C. Richmond, Esq., addressed a meeting of ids constituents on Monday last, in a speech of two hours. Ho gave a very gloomy idea of the future of the Colony if the present Ministry retained office and got the loan. He called the policy of the present Government a gambling policy, and that there were ninety-nine chances of its failure to one of success. He com oared the scheme to that of turning the Colony into a joint stock company, in which every settler was compelled to he a shareholder. The revenue he stated, when compared with the previous quarters of lass year, was falling off, and as the new Act had been passed specifying what amount the Provinces were to have as a capi-

tation grant, the General Government would find that their own revenue for the use of the Colonial Department would run considerably short of what they expected. He censured those members of the House who had supported the scheme, and hoped that the Colony would return members who would check the Ministers from squandering the money. He predicted that if this was not done, bankruptcy would bo the result. He distinctly told the electors not to return him if they did not agree with his principles. He devoutly hoped the present Government would not got the loan ; but in case they did, be won d like to go to the House and see that it was wisely spent. He spoke against the policy adopted by. the present Native Minister, who, he stated, would lavishly spend the money, and would do so as long as there was any to spend; hnt when that was all gone, he would pity the next N’juivo Minister that went into office, and the time for retrenchment had come round.

A resolution asking him to stand for the district was proposed, and a dozen hands out of about 180 were held up for it, Some time elapsed before anyone could be got to propose and second it. In reply to the ques ti'm whether he would support the present Ministry should he be returned, ho replied “No.” He would not, however, oppose their scheme if it was considerably modified in its proportions, and the ictails were made practicable ; but lie would not give a general support to the Ministry. Ho must go free, ■or Crey and 801 l there will bo lour candidates— Mes»rs fiichmoad, Carrington, Brown, and Whit-combe. For Kgmont Messrs Crompton, Sewell, and Carthow. Mr Kelly will be returned for the town unopposed.