THE HON. E. RICHARDSON AND MR ANDREWS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1729, 4 September 1879, Page 2

THE HON. E. RICHARDSON AND MR ANDREWS.

To the Editor of the Globe. Sin, —We have baen favored at Addington this week with visits from the above-named candidates, and, with your permission, I will give you niy opinions concerning the relative merits of these gentlemen who come forward as fit. and proper persons to represent thio constiluency. Let, mo premise that I am t either a red hot supporter nor a factious opponent of the present Government. I say thus much to snow that no party spirit moTes me to say what I am about to E».y, and that I believe that I am capable of forming nn unprejudiced opinion respecting tho candidates for our suffrage!. Take the policies of these gentlemen. Mr Richardson has given his succinctly and clearly in his advertised address. What he has given there so concisely he has amplified in his various speeches. -There has been no. equivocation, no attempt at evasion, but an evident willingness to make everything asplain as possible. I would ask, What can anyone, be he never so liberal, ask for more than is promised by Mr Richardson. There • arc persons oppoised to him who insinuate that Mr Richardson is only a pseudo-Liberal, and that he has only assumed these colors for tho purpose of his election. I think, sir, we know more about him in Ohristchuroh • than to think for one moment that he is a man capable of making promises with the intention of breaking them. Mr Andrews stands on nearly the same platform as Mr Richardson, with one or two exceptions. He is pledged to vote blindlyfor the present Government. He has subscribed to that as a member of the so called Liberal Association. He is rather shaky on the education question. Being closely pressed, after a little fencing, he reiterated his assertion that the Government should only provide i rmdimentary education. This would leave the chances of getting the higher of education, and, as a consequence, the filling of important offices, entirely in the hands of the wealthy claßees. I submit, sir, that Mr Richardson's is the more liberal policy of the two, and on that ground he has the better right to . our suffrages. It has been said that Mr Richardson is no speaker. He certainly lacks rhetorical power, . but ho as certainly has tho ability to make himself clearly understood, and that in the fewest possible words. But has Mr Andrews any special qualifications as an orator. I trow not. He does not make the most lucid addresses possible by a long way. Then as to their respective qualifications aa special representative for Ohristchurch.. And - I think, sir, that if we ever needed a special representation it is at the present juncture. It is pretty well known that however good and able a man Mr Macandrew is, should he hold the reins of the Publio Works Department, he will want a considerable amount of watching, if we are to have our fair share of the expenditure of the money devoted to publio works. I think it will be pretty clear to all who are not blicded by prejudice that it is his intention to remove the Commissioner of Railways to Dunedin. In the event of this, is it not likely ; nay, will it not follow as an inevitable consequence that much of the work done here at present will follow him. I ask if it is not the utmost absurdity to think that Mr Andrews can represent us in this respect as well as one having the ability and experience of Mr Richardson. One intimately acquainted with the Public Works Department, and having its affairs- at his fingers' end. I need only refer you to the remarks of the chairman at each meeting of the Lyttelton Harbor Board as a proof of Mr Richardson's capacity for business,. and his facility for laying clearly before others any thing with which he has to do. I trust that the electors of Ohristchurch will not be led away by party cries, but will select the best men to represent them. Yon»,- aba., DISCRIMINATOR.