The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1878.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5401, 19 July 1878, Page 4

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1878.

The Hon. Mr. Richardson has been following the example of other members of the House of Representatives, and submitting .himself to his constituents at Christchurch. They have, we are glad to find, rewarded him with a vote of thanks and confidence. - No public man in Hew Zealand deserves such an acknowledgment better than Mr. Richardson, for no one has done more loyal and useful work, modestly and unostentatiously, than he did in his capacity as Minister of Public Works during the long period when these works were most actively carried on in all parts of the colony at once, and under many disadvantages. He left his department in a state of perfect, organisation, and although we have of late heard a great deal about eoonoray'and improvements, the ■ test of time and figures can only show whether the changes which have been made in the administration of the Public Works Department have been wise and judicious or not. We should ourselves be disposed to rely more implicitly upon the professional knowledge and experience of Mr. Richardson than upon the notions which men who are proud to call themselves “ practical ” too commonly apply to scientific subjects. Mr. Richardson pointed out, what everyone admits, the inequality of representation, as affecting Canterbury, and the necessity of its redistribution on equitable principles. We "presume that he will have heard that the Government do not mean to do this hastily. There are some small, but loyal constituencies which it would not at present be equitable, in a party sense, to disturb. The view of that section of the Cabinet represented by Mr. Stout and Mr. Ballance on ■ the subject of the, franchise is acceptable to the lion, member for Christchurch,, who, however, sees: no need for a Bribery Bill, or fpr Mr. Stout’s cold water, cure for constitutional enthusiasm by, shutting up the public-houses and charging the street mains at election times. Mr. Richardson believes in affair property tax, and holds the proposal to exempt all holdings under 320 acres as absurd.” On the subject of j public works Mr. Richardson speaks with authority. He said—

The railways had even been a groator success than had been anticipated by Sir Julius Vogel. They were already realising a very large profit, which ho was sure would be considerably increased .next year. Even now they were only just beginning to open up the country. Tbo expenditure up to the present time bad boon £7.000,600; the receipts for last year wore £600,000, and the expenses £JO2,OOP. Next year they would see the Canterbury lines returning a profit of 5 per cent. , ~

We feel sura that our readers will agree that the following encomium of the services of Sir Julius Vogel is well merited; — , , An Idea was' abroad that the Govcrmdont had Intended to remove the Agent-General. It would have been a'great calamity to Now Zealand if this officer had been removed. It was to bo regretted that ho bad not been appointed Commissioner at the Paris Exhibition ; and It was one of the most unjust things the'Government had ever done not to appoint him. (Cheers.), Ho had done mote good at Homo for New Zealand than any one else for many years past. (Loud cheers),

Every mail indeed brings proof of the, unceasing activity of the Agent-General in the defence of' the good name of this colony, and in the ‘ promotion of' its

highest interests. Mr. Richardson is probably not aware that it has pleased the present Government to determine that New Zealand should not be amongst the exhibitors at Paris this year, and that the appointment of Sir Julius Vogel as Commissioner under the circumstances ■would practically be a sinecure. In that as in other matters of our external relations, from the European telegraph even unto the Imperial connection itself, the Premier has shown an amiable disposition to play “ a lone hand.”