SIR J. L. C. RICHARDSON.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 348, 6 November 1875, Page 2

SIR J. L. C. RICHARDSON.

v; ..THE COMING STRUGGLE. At the Balclutha banquet Otago's representative man—better known as the Major—spoke out what he thought about the political crisis now awaiting the decision of the electors. In the course of an eloquent speech he is reported to have said :

"He was Speaker of the Legislative Council, and if there was any man who should stand up for that Council it was himself. But he would say that a nominated Council was utterly incongruous with responsible government. He wished that he was free and unfettered, but it was ordained otherwise, or lie would be disposed to follow to the field some warlike chief, like his friend Sir George Grey, and, de&nd the popular rights. Nothing would give him more satisfaction than to devote the intellect and ability which he possessed to ■ the Bervice of the Colony at this most important crisis. Of all ■ the

questions which could occupy the attention "of the people of the Colony, that of the land was the most important. If that question were suffered to remain in abey- " ance New Zealand would be almost' wiped out. If they brought out immigrants without giving them the power of settling upon the land, an injustice would be done both to them and the. Colony. They were possessed of the power of voting, and if exercised they that power now in a faithless manner they would richly deserve the retribution which wouid shortly follow. If the present were his last mcment, he would earnestly entreat them- to consider the present as one of the most, important crisis's which had occurred in the history of the' Colony. He knew • that serious combinations had been formed for the purpose of influencing the elections, and that the power of capital would be brought to bear upon them, but he had sufficient confidence in the manhood of the . country that it "would withstand such influences. If- the . triumph would not be with the people;, it would not eventually be with those who are attempting -to uproot the rights of .the people. It would .hereafter happen that the lands should be settled by sheep instead of by the people. A time would come when the worm (by which he meant the people) would turn upon those who opposed them; it would be found that the legal power was in the hands of the people, and that they would employ it in a fearful manner upon their despoilers." •