HON. E. RICHARDSON AT THE ODDFELLOWS’ HALL.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 931, 19 June 1877, Page 3

HON. E. RICHARDSON AT THE ODDFELLOWS’ HALL.

The following is the concluding portion of our report of Mr Richardson’s speech at the Oddfellows’ Hall: —

With regard to the next session, the principal measures which will be brought before us will be a new Land Bill, Native Lands Bill, Education Bill, an amendment or modification of the Counties Bill, and what to my mind is a most important measure —viz, a General Harbour Bill for the -whole colony. As regards the provisions of the Land Bill, I hope that they will be similar to those proposed by the Government in their measure of last session. I hope that it will include the principle of deferred payments, of which I am an advocate. It is a principle which I shall strenuously support if introduced, because I believe that it will tend in a marked degree to the settlement of the country. [Cheers.] Of course it is a different matter now to what it was a few years ago, and I may say here that 1 think that a great mistake was made in Canterbury last year in not raising the price of land. It would not, I feel sure, have affected the sale of land to any appreciable extent, and the colony would have been so much the richer. The Native Lands Bill is even more important than the other Land Bills. You will see by late telegrams from Wellington that some more troubles are expected. I speak with some experience on the matter, and so can other members of the Assembly, when I say that the Government having to do with the purchase of land from the natives has caused serious trouble and great expenses. I am sorry to Sil y—and I may here remark Hint what I say is to be applied generally —that the Government have not received fair play throughout the country in the matter of these land purchases. My firm conviction is that the purchasing of land by the Government from the natives should stop, and the sooner it docs so the better. [Cheers.] It is proposed, I believe, that a duty of 20 per cent shall be placed on the purchases of native lands, which, if done, will recoup the expenses in connection with the native lands courts, and the other expenses consequent on the purchase of lands. Regarding the Counties Bill, there is some difficulty in arriving at an idea here of what amendments are necessary. While they are able in those parts of tire colony where the Act has been brought with force to tell from experience where it requires alteration, we in Canterbury where it has not been tried are not in such a position. I hope the Canterbury members will have put before them, from most of the chairmen of Councils at any rate, what they think is required for the district. I shall watch with very great care whatever amendments may be proposed to be introduced, and shall take care that the interests of this district are attended to. But of course as I have said, wo here are somewhat in the dark as to what should In; done; as we have not had the law in force, hence we do not know how the law affects

this particular district. Provision will, however, I think have to be made in the Act for the management of the hospitals and charitable aid’department. So far as my own observation has gone, I think it better that the hospitals should be managed by local committees —elective committees, that is. This may be objected to by some people ; but it is done in Melbourne and Dunedin, and is

found to work very well indeed. At all events it may be tried for a time, and if found not. to answer, then we can amend it. The

hospitals here, under the Provincial Government, together with the Charitable Aid Department, have been established on a liberal if not an extravagant scale, and have been supported out of the land fund. I think it only fair that this should be done in the future, at any rate to some extent. It is only right that the Government should, for some time at least, give a subsidy towards the maintenance of these establishments. This will have to be done in some way. There is another amendment which I hope to see, and that is that the permissive clauses, as they are called, will be withdrawn, and that the whole of the country will be under one system of government. I certainly myself cannot see how we are likely to'get along smoothly unless it is so. An Act has been passed to do away with these particular local forms of Government, and I cannot sec why it should not be all alike for the future. Then we come to the Education Bill, and after all perhaps that is the most important Bill that will come before the House. There is no indication at present of the form which this Bill is to take, and 1 can only speculate upon it, from what I know of the opinions of my colleagues in tire past, as to what form this Bill should take. My own idea is, that I hope to see a Bill that will provide tor elected boards, and that these boards will preside over districts, and not too large districts. I think the districts now arc in some cases too large for efficient supervision ; but I think an arrangement might be made for elected boards that will work out

very well. [Hear, hear, and cheers.] Of course, if it were practicable, I should be glad to see the whole education—primary education at all events —free ; and, in any case, any education that the Government provide, in my opinion, must be secular; there must bo no religious element whatever introduced. [Hear, hear and cheers.] 1 don’t see, without a very considerable increase of taxation, that the Government can afford to make this education at present free, and my own impression is, that the Government, at all events for a time, will have to maintain the school fees that are now charged. Of course, if it is decided that these schools shall be free, then people must expect to be further taxed; and 1 think myself that the colony and the population of the colony, flourishing in the way it is now, that sooner than put on any oppressive taxation, or a taxation likely to impair the progress of the colony, it is better to continue for a while the school fees that arc charged ; and so far as I can see, the population of New

Zealand are perfectly well able to bear them, at all events for a time. [Hear, hear, and cheers.] I am sure that with the revenue at the disposal of the Government they would be able to assist and to find a portion of the funds for this education, and whatever they do find I take it that that amount will be placed in tire bands of these Boards, as a sort of certain revenue for themselves to deal with; and that whatever school fees are charged, if a revenue is raised in that way, in my opinion these school fees ought in the main to go to the school committees, and be the funds with which they manage their schools. [Hear, hear, and cheers.] I have said that I look upon it that education cannot proceed without further taxation. Should it bo settled that the primary education is to be free, and that further taxation should be imposed, ray own opinion is, and has been for a long while, that the proper taxation to be put on is a property tax, and not, as some say, a land tax; because I think, from what wo see in the adjoining colonies at the present time, that if an oppressive land tax is put on, it woidd simply mean that those who had money invested in land would take it out of land and put it in something else. Of course, in dealing with a property tax, we can always see that the smaller incomes up to a certain amount were not touched incomes over £3OO or £4OO a-year, or whatever amount might be be fixed upon. I think that the taxation we are under at present bears pretty fairly on all classes of the community. It was mooted last session that the taxes on tea and coffee and sugar should be done away with, but I think it would bo a great mistake. I think these taxes, combined with the ml valorem. duties, bear pretty evenly on all classes ; and I say that if further taxation is to take place, I hope to sec it in the shape of a general property tax, taking all classes in. [Mr Richardson then referred to the likelihood of a general harbor bill being introduced, bis reasons for voting against the Local Option Bill, the defence of the colony, and the necessity of completing the present lines of railway before others are commenced. He concluded by stating bis willingness to do his best for the colony as long as he was the representative of Christchurch.] His Worship the Mayor then asked any gentleman who might wish to put a question to Mr Richardson to do so.

Mr Kent liuntied up the; following written question: —“Will you oppose any attempt for opening public-houses on Sunday, as now being agitated for by the licensed victuallers?” Mr Richardson —The question put by Mr Kent was one that was asked of mo before I was elected. I was then in a better position to give an answer to it than lam now. I had just returned from a tour in my official capacity through all parts of the colony. I found throughout the colony, whether in large or small places, that Sunday trading was carried on to a very large extent, and that the law was systematically broken. This was more particularly the case in Auckland and Dunedin. There so openly was it done that any one going along the street could see the bars thronged with people on Sunday, and the doors open. The police did not appear to interfere, and it seemed that Magistrates did not care to inflict hues when the habit was so universal. I stated when I was elected that I thought it better—though I am as strongly opposed as any one can be to Sunday trading-—to let it be'done under certain restrictions of the law. I gather from an interview which, in conjunction with my friend Mr Stevens, I had with the licensed victuallers, that they would be prepared to submit to some kind of a compromise, such as the opening of the houses (say) for two hours on a Sunday. I think it would be far better —and it is urged in the interests of those who without offence I may call the lower orders —to let people get what they wanted, such as jugs of beer or whatever they might require, under control of the law. To enable them to do this, the houses might be opened for (say) two hours during the day, but except during these hours the houses should he kept absolutely closed. [Hear, hear.] I also think that infringement of the law in this respect should be punished far more severely than at present. 1 believe that some such legislation as I have proposed would be willingly acceded to by the Licensed Victuallers. It is no use mincing matters, and there is no getting out of the fact that there are a very few public houses but what are opened and drink sold on Sundays. The effect of this is that a large number of persons arc kept in to attend to business during the whole of the day. If, however, houses were allowed to be opened _ for two hours under stringent regulations, the landlords, barmen, &c., would be able to get out during the other portions of the day, and enjoy themselves as other people. I don’t wish to be understood for one moment, as I have before said, to be in favor of Sunday trading ; but when I find, as I have done, that the law is continually broken all over the colony, I think it will be much better to allow people to get what they require in a legitimate manner.

Mr Kent —“Will you support Mr Stevens in any measure ho may bring forward for tiro establishment of triennial Parliaments P” Mr Eichardson —Before going into Parliament I may say I was in favor of shorter Parliaments, but my experience since then lias led me to believe that no good will come of having a shorter duration of Parliament than at present. At any rate not to the extent of having them for three years. I might be prepared to see them shortened by one year, but nub more. When I first went up to the Assembly in 1871 1 found that for tho greater part of the session with so many new members, it took a long time to effect the formation of parties, and generally t-o got business into shape ; indeed I may say that the greater part of the session was lost, I think that if you cut off two years from the duration of Parliament injury will be done to the legislature of the colony. If tho question comes up at the next session I may support the shortening for one year, but I certainly consider that three year Parliaments would not bo advisable for the reasons I have stated. Mr Lockwood —■ “ Don’t you think it injurious to bring station masters and other men from Dunedin when wo have efficient men here to do our work ? Don’t you think it disgraceful for Canterbury to do this ? [Loud and continued cheering.] Mr Eichardson —During the past few days I have received a number of anonymous letters containing q uestions similar in purpart to that now asked of mo by Mr Lockwood; but being anonymous 1 put them into the waste paper basket. Before receiving these letters, several late employees on the railway came to me for advice, and in one or two instances — they being my constituents —I felt bound to make some enquiries. But I wish it distinctly to be understood that I am only a private individual and have nothing whatever to do with the railways. With regard to tho ques--1 tion asked of mo by Mr Lockwood, I may say

| that it is entirely a departmental matter. The railway has been placed by the public in the hands of the Government, and they have a staff which they manage as they think fit. If they don’t work the line satisfactorily, it will soon tell on the Government, as the represen - tatives of the people in the districts through which the railway passes will be called upon in their places in the House to take action. All things being equal, it may perhaps be advantageous that local men should be placed and kept in positions on the railway, but for my own part —-and I say this without any reference to what is going on here—l should be inclined to change the staff all over the place. I think it a very good thing to change men in official positions like these. [Disapprobation.] An Elector-“I would like to ask if the Government contract for immigration for the present year is concluded ; and if so, whether they intend to enter into fresh contracts for the year 1878 ?” Mr Richardson—l am not in the secrets of the present Government, but I know that the contract for the present year has been concluded. We shall soon see when the House meets, what the intentions of the present Government arc with respect to immigration in the coming year. An Elector —“ I should like to ask whether the rumors current during the past fortnight are true, namely, that since you have left your position as Minister for Public Works, you intend to push your claims against the province, which wore repudiated by the late Provincial Council ?”

Mr Richardson —I may say that from the first day on which these claims were made they have never been dropped, but have been pushed forward persistently by myself and late partner. I consider it to be my duty to my children that the money which wo say was fairly earned should be got if possible. All that wo want is that the claim should be taken into a Court of competent jurisdiction and there settled. [Cheers.] Mr Andrews —“ I should like to know what steps —if any —you will take in the furtherance of allowing Friendly Societies to become acquainted with the new tables which the Government arc about to force upon us ?” I think that it is only fair that wc should know what they are before they become law. Mr Richardson —I think it is only reasonable—as urged by Mr Andrews—that the Friendly Societies should have an opportunity of seeing these tables. I may say that the Government took a great deal of trouble last session over the Friendly Societies Bill. I was not aware that the Friendly Societies had not seen the tables referred to. If they had applied to the Government for them I have no doubt they would have been supplied. If, however, Mr” Andrews will let me know what be wants, I will take means to apply to the Government for them.

The Mayor here again asked if any gentleman had any question to put to Mr Richard-

Mr Richardson —I omitted to state that I had received one question with a signature attached to it, to which I will now take the opportunity of replying. It is whether I would be prepared to support a Rill entitling the representatives of persons killed in the discharge of their duties on the railway, or the persons themselves receiving injuries from accident, to receive compensation from the Government ? lam not prepared to give a distinct answer to the question, but I am prepared to say this, that I think it is a great pity that the employees on the railway, or indeed in any large concern such as that is, should not form societies of their own which would put them above the necessity of requiring Government compensation. There is, I believe, an Order in Council apportioning a certain amount of compensation for persons injured cm the railway. Had I remained in office I intended to have proposed that societies such as have been formed among the employees in Otago should he established throughout the colony, which would have removed the necessity of Government compensation. I should be prepared to give my warmest support to a movement of this character. The society in Dunedin possesses a largo amount of funds, and is doing very much good. An Elector handed up a written question, as follows: —“ Did Mr Richardson recommend the present Minister for Public Works to close the repairing shops on the Canterbury railways for one month ?” Mr Richardson —I don’t think it would be perfectly right for me to say publicly what recommendations I made to the Minister for Public Works, but I am prepared to say this —and I say it from my official experience—that there is no question about it that great changes arc necessary in the workshops here. I did not express any opinion to the Minister for Public Works, but while in Wellington I did express myself to two or three officials—not Ministers —that if I had remained in office I should t ake the course which had been taken 1 in Melbourne, namely, to close the shops lor a short time and re-organise them. I did this because I could see no oilier way of reorganising them. [Disapprobation.] An Elector —Do you think it right that a youngster should bo appointed over men of experience ? Mr Richardson—As I said before, it is no business of mine to say what should bo done by the Minister for Public Works. He is responsible i,o me ami fo the other members of the Assembly, and if lie pul s a gentleman in charge of the works who is not competent it will soon he shown. The Government will be called over the coals.

Me Lockwood moved —“That a vote of thanks be given to Mr Eichardson for his address that evening.” Mr W. E. Mitchell—l will second that if Mr Lockwood will add that “Mr Eichardson possesses the confidence of tho electors of Christchurch,”

Mr Lockwood consented to this being done, and the resolution as amended was submitted.

' Mr Kent thought that all that they should do would be to thank Mr Eichardson lor his address, and nothing further. lie would move us an amendment simply - “ That a vote of thanks bo passed to Mr Eichardson.” The amendment, was not seconded, and therefore fell through. The Mayor then put the resolution, but in such a way that, the greater portion ol the occupants of tho ball failed to understand what was before the meeting. Only a very small proportion of those present held up their hands either for or against the resolution, which was declared to be lost, without any means being taken to ascertain the actual numbers.

On the Chairman’s announcement that the motion was lost, there were erfes of “ Put it again,” and counter cries of “No, no,” and the meeting broke up somewhat confusedly, tho cn,stomary vote of thanks to tho chairanm being proposed whilst those present were leaving the hall.