The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1889. MR E. RICHARDSON'S SPEECH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1891, 14 May 1889, Page 2

The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1889. MR E. RICHARDSON'S SPEECH.

The Hon. E. Eichaiidson, Minister for Public Works in the Stout-Yogel Government, addressed his constituents at Kaiapoi last week. Talking has never been much in Mr Richardson’s line. He has been a very able administrator, but never distinguished himself as a speaker. On the occasion in question, however, he made a very telling speech, full of point and good sense, and though extremely moderate in tone he scored heavily against the Ministry. He reminded his constituents that the Stout-Yogel Government proposed to retrench and put on fresh taxation in the direction of protection. When Sir Harry Atkinson brought down proposals that went much further than those which the previous Government brought forward, he and others thought that for the sake of the country they ought to support them. Then there was presented the extraordinary spectacle of the Government being supported by the Opposition, while the supporters of the Government wore voting against them. In spite of the bulk of Sir Harry Atkinson’s supporters doing their best to oppose him, his natural opponents carried him on. Even then there were dissensions in the Cabinet, and it was no uncommon thing for two or three Ministers to be outside in the lobbies working their utmost against the Government measures. In this much there is food for reflection. The episode in connection with Mr Monk, and the recent

resignation of Mr Fisher proves the correctness of Mr Richardson’s assertion, and we are told also chat Mr Richardson, the Minister for Lands, does ; not live on happy terms with his colleagues, and will probably have to follow Mr Fisher. Now these are the sort of people that compose Her Majesty’s Ministers ; men who cordially hate each other and have no ideas in common. What can we expect from them p Then again there are these Ministers who have been behaving so treacherously to their chief, going about the country now boasting and bragging of the success of measures which were carried in spite of them. On the question of railways Mr Richardson has a right to

claim to be an authority. He is an engineer and an expert, and has been Minister of Public "Works in, we 1 believe, three or four Ministries. He says: As regards the Railway Board, I feel sure that the Act authorising its creation would not have been passed bad Parliament been aware that the“ Government intended to appoint three local men then in the service of the Government. More ; especially was it expected that an | expert of high standing (and at least two such men, to my knowledge, might have been got from England), would have been appointed Chief Commissioner. The appointment being made, there is nothing for it but to give the Board a fair trial, and, any cavilling at the composition of it is more a matter for debate in the House than for an outside platform. The fact remains, that the position laid down by Parliament has been reversed, and you have a Chief Commissioner who is not a railway expert,« having a veto over two other Commissioners who are experts, which is certainly very anomalous.” When Sir Harry Atkinson said he could not get an applicant for the position of Chief Commissioner of Railways from England or America, although he offered a salary of £3500, we said wo did not believe him, and here now we find Mr Richardson stating that he knew of his own private knowledge of two suitable applicants. Take this in connection with the fact that there have been 132 applicants for a similar position in South Australia, and we ask

Is there a sane man will believe Sir Harry P Not one. Those who hang on to his coat tails may pretend to believe him, but no one else will. The appointment of the SurveyorGeneral, therefore, may be regarded as a piece of corruption, and we yesterday commenced to reap the fruits of it. At the instigation of a few who have pulled the strings his first act has been to completely disorganise railway traffic on the railway from Hurunui to the Bluff. Such an awful and fearful muddle we have never heard of as the new train arrangements, but more will be heard of it when Parliament meets.

DEPARTURE OF COLONISTS. Bt to-day’s express train Mr F. K. Gray, eldest son of Mr K. F. Gray, of Temuka, Mr John Coll, of Pleasant Point, and we believe some others, leave Temuka for San Francisco. Mr Coll, who is an old South Canterbury settler, goes to his brothers, who left here some years ago, and are now very rich in America; but Mr Gray goes to seek his fortune. There is nothing very extraordinary in Mr Coll going to his brothers, only this: that we must always regret the loss of good and useful colonists, especially while wanting population, and that his departure shows that there is a better opening for him in America, else his brothers would not have encouraged him to go. The case is different with Mr Gray. He is a fine, athletic, strong young man, in just about his 20th year; he has received a liberal education, and has been in every sense well equipped for the battle of life. It is really sad to think that the likes of him must leave this colony tc seek their livelihood in foreign parts —yet they must go, for there is nothing to do in this colony. For years we have been pointing out to parents the necessity of industrial development in order to provide labor for their children, and we have, no doubt the father and mother of Mr Gray fully understand and appreciate the force of our arguments now, when they have to part with a son on whose education they have bestowed so much care and money. There are many other fathers and mothers, who think very little about it now, will remember what we have frequently pointed out to them when they too find out that their children must leave them to seek their fortunes in foreign countries. They will fully understand the matter when, with breaking hearts, they see their dear ones depart, perhaps never more to return or to be seen by them. We have done our duty to them, and if they did their duty with equal faithfulness their children would have peace and plenty at home. There is room for ten millions in this colony, then why should we leave it all in the hands of about ten thousand ? But it is no use pursuing the matter further. It is only when people are brought face to face with the matter that they will understand it. We have now only to wish Messrs Coll and Gray God speed, with every wish for their future prosperity.