THE HON. E. RICHARDSON'S ADDRESS TO HIS CONSTITUENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5400, 18 July 1878, Page 2

THE HON. E. RICHARDSON'S ADDRESS TO HIS CONSTITUENTS.

(per press agency.) . Christchurch, Wednesday.

The Hon. Edward Richardson, M.H.R. for Christchurch City, addressed his constituents this evening at the Odd Fellows’ Hall About 200 electors were present. The chair was occupied by his Worship the Mayor. After a few- general observations "Mr. Richardson proceeded to speak on the question , of representation, and said that with regard to the representation of Christchurch itself it ought in the future to be divided —the suburbs returning two members, and Christchurch proper returning one. The interests of town and suburbs were different, and it would be far better that they should be differently represented. There should not even be a fresh election until there had been a re-adjustment of representation. Canterbury was at (he present time un'dar-reproaeuted by four members. On the p£ the franchise' the members of. the Ministry-appeared to entertain very different opinions, judging from the speeches of the Premier and the, Hon. Messrs Stout• and BaUpuco, He should be quite prepared to sup-

port Mr. Ballance’s motion, as bo considered a town voter ought to be' a resident six months before he was entitled to vote. (Applause.) There was no doubt that some amendment was required in the matter of registration. By all moans let them have, a Bribery Bill if there was any necessity for it, but for his own part he had not seen any sugh necessity in New Zealand. (Cheers.) lie did not see any reason why public-houses should be closed on election days, as proposed by Mr. Stout. Mr, Richardson then proceeded.to speak of the proposed change in the incidence of taxation. He had seen no reason to change his opinion that a property tax was the fairest and best tax they could possibly have. On the question of the land tax as proposed he should oppose it most determinedly, as it was perfectly absurd to let off holders of less thau 320 acres. (Applause.) He did not think that Mr. Ballance was justified in stating that the Government intended to bring forward such a Bill. Considering the large duties to be put upon the Road Boards and County Councils, he (the speaker) ■ considered they, were the proper bodies to have the power of levying a tax for the purpose of roads and bridges. (Cheers.) The only land tax the Government was justified in putting on was a tax for unimproved laud, and he was quite prepared to support such a tax. Every conceivable description of property over a certain value ought to be taxed. It was impossible, while the colony was in its present condition, that indirect taxation could be done away with, and the Government appeared to be of the same opinion. It was very satisfactory for them to hear from Mr. Ballance that there would be a surplus of £IOO,OOO. (Hoar, hear.) Everyone in the State ought to pay in proportion to the benefits he had received. (Applause.) The question of defence would no doubt come up this session. It was quite right that the colony should be fortified, so as to be able to defend itself from without if attacked, (A Voice: What we want is to be represented by commercial and mercantile men, and not by squatters and runholders.) (Laughter.) He regretted that they bad not had the proposed report of Sir William Jervoia and Colonel Scratchley. No doubt the Government deserved a certain amount of credit for having sent Home for some heavy guns. They could do .a great deal with volunteers, but something beyond these would be required to work the guns in an effective manner. (Applause.) Both Governor Weld and the Marquis of Normanby had latelygiven some most excellent advice to volunteers. (An extract from Governor Weld’s speech was here read.) Speaking of the proposed Licensing Bill, Mr. Richardson said it would deal very largely with the question of adulteration. Under existing Acts adulteration could not be fully dealt with. There could be no doubt that the most vile drinks—poison, indeed—were sold in all directions. In his opinion, liquors ought to be tested immediately they were landed, and.before they came into the hands of the retailers, who often had to suffer for a fault that was hot their own. (Applause). In the same way the Custom authorities ought to test and brand kerosene. He had opposed the Local Option Bill because it did not provide compensation for houses that were closed. Drunkenness could not be put down by Act of Parliament. A better way would be the establishment of working, men’s clubs, athenaeums, &c. (Cheers). He next came to the question of public works. The railways had even been a greater success than had been anticipated by Sir Julius VogeL They were already realising a very large profit, which he was sure would be considerably increased next year. Even now they were only just beginning to open up the country. The expenditure up to the present time had been £7,000,500 ; the receipts for last year were £569,000, and the expenses £102,000. Next year they would see the Canterbury lines returning a profit of five per cent. (Cheers). The rolling stock to be provided for the Christchurch section during the next few months was valued at £120,000, and £IOO,OOO would be required for sheds, &c., to accommodate that stock. He was glad of the steps which the Government had now taken in the matter of charitable aid. (Applause). The public must not expect any material reduction in the public service of the country. With regard to the stoppage of the Land Euud, it was not wise to be too precipitate in the matter : they ought to hear what the Government had to say before 1 they took any decided steps. If the Government could show that they had dealt evenly with all districts in the country, then there would be a good deal to say on that score. Still, it would require a great deal of explanation on the part of the Government. (Applause.) An idea was abroad that the Government had intended to remove the AgentGeneral. It would have been a great calamity to New Zealand if this officer had been removed. It was to be regretted that he had not been appointed Commissioner at the Paris Exhibition ; and it was. one of the most unjust things the present Government had ever done not to appoint him. (Cheers.) He had done more good at Home for New Zealand thau any one else for many years past. (Loud cheers.) In conclusion, Mr. Richardson said that till they had the various Bills before them it would be impossible for him to say how far he would support them ; but he would certainly be no party to factious opposition. Mr, Richardson was loudly applauded on resuming his seat. In answer to a question, Mr. Richardson said he had no intention of opposing Sir George Grey or his Ministry so long as the measures they brought forward were for the benefit of the colony at large. (Cheers.) A number of other questions were asked and answered, many of them bearing on the licensing question. Moat of the answers appeared to give satisfaction. A vote of thanks and confidence in Mr. Richardson was carried by a large majority.