The Feilding Star. THURSDAY. MARCH 8, 1883. THE SELWYN ELECTION.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 76, 8 March 1883, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY. MARCH 8, 1883. THE SELWYN ELECTION.

The Hon E. Richakdsox, who is a can- j didate for the suffrages of the Selwyn electors, during the course of bis address delivered a few days ago, made some remarks on the Government and condition of the country, worthy of serious consideration. His opinions on public works, railways, &c, are perhaps more valuable than those of anj r other man in the Colony. Not only has he had large experience in other_ parts of the world as a practical engineer, bathe was unquestionably the best Minister of Public Works who, has held that portfolio in the : Colony. He was opposed to the Public Works policy of the Government in 1880, and in 1881 lie criticised very severely the Local" Government proposals, and from that time the Government has endeavored to keep him out of the House. Speaking on the subject of public works at Selwyn, a few days ago, he said : — " One fault, and that a serious one, chargeable to not only the present Government, but also to the one preceding it, was their management of our railways. On the # £9,400,000 expended in the construction of opened lines, the railways had last year yielded 4 per cent. The- money borrowed for their construction cost 5 j per cent., so that there was a loss on that year of lg- per cent., which had to be made up out of the consolidated revenue of the colony . Now, he was of opinion that with a different style of management they could be made to pay 5£ per cent. He would not let them pay more then that, but when they yielded more would reduce freights. Under the present system thej r could not have economical man- ■ - agement. The railways were managed as a Government department, and not as a commercial concern should be. They were managed direct from Wellington, by hard and fast rules, which the district managers could not disregard, even though they might see that they clashed with the interests of the people and of the revenue. District managers Were much better, able, being on the spot, foknow what was best to be done for" all parties encerned, and if their judgment could not be trusted the sooner , 'they were got rid of the better. He knew that several representations had .been made with respect to advantageous alterations, but the Government would have their hard and fast rules carried out. He could instance many cases in which loss had been sustained in consequence." He .had for years advocated the management of the railways by non-political Boards— one for tacii island— and it is said the Minister for Public Works has such a scheme in consideration. Mr Richardson considered that if the reports of the interview between Mr Beyce and Te Kooti were correct, Mr Beyce had clearly gone beyond the Amnesty Act The address of this gentleman to the electors of Selwyn reminds us that tliGi.Hon Waltee Johnston.l Minister for Public Works, has not deemed it worth while to favor his constituents here with his presence, when he could let them have some nee- tint of his stewardship. He- treats the el i-!ors, whom ho is .presumed to represent, w.tli but scant consideration. We have no doubt that the day will come when he may regret that .lie did not spare a few hours to meet those long-suffering individuals, to whom he has been so long indebted for his position in Parliament.