Mataura Ensign GORE: FRIDAY, JUNE.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 15, Issue 1295, 9 June 1893, Page 6

Mataura Ensign GORE: FRIDAY, JUNE.

The address given by Mr Richardson at Crore on Wednesday evening stands out in marked prominence above the dead level of intersessional speeches. boeeowing Mr Richardson was never a sub rosa. commonplace politician. From the first he entered I the front rank, but hitherto he has been known chiefly for his intimate and accurate acquaintance with land administration. There has been no more acute and forceful critic of the present Minister for Lands than Mr Richardson. But last session he demonstrated that his knowledge of Colonial finance was no less extended than his acquaintance with the land laws, and at Mataura we find him handling the intricate details of finance i with an ease and confidence which can alone come from sound knowledge. The principal part of the address there was devoted to finance, and it will be admitted that the speaker succeeded to admiration in demolishing the house of cards reared by the Government, and exposed their pretensions in all their pitiful nakedness. To gather the material for this was not an easy task. The accounts for the past financial year have not yet been published, as they ought to have been according to statute. Consequently Ministers thought themselves safe in asserting that the surplus was so much, and that the expenditure on public works was provided for entirely out of revenue. They were apparently unaware that an acute and capable critic was on their track, and they will probably be under the painful necessity of eating their words when Parliament meets. The fallacy that expenditure is being provided for out of I revenue has been so often exposed that it is surprising the statement should be repeated. True, no actual loan has been raised, but the balance of loans previously raised has been spent. No less than L 450,000 out of a total expenditure last year of L 672,000 came out of moneys already borrowed. Instead of restricting expenditure, the Government have iucreased it, and according to Mr Richardson's showing have mischievously expended it in the interests of party. Tha expenditure on the Thames-Te Aroha and Grreymouth-Hokitika railways are cases in point, and the co-operative system is another. Worst of all, spending money on co-operative works is like pouring water into a sieve. The obligation to find work for the unemployed has been acknowledged and must be met, unless the charge of inhumanity be desired, and Mr Seddon will find the renewed demands very embarrassing before winter is over. The Government took authority to borrow L7OO,QQO in the colony, and thus quite needlessly pays two or three per cent, more than is necessary. Nay, it enriches the very people— the middlemen — whom the Government profess to regurd with delestsitioo, The money borrowed will be British money v.U the game, but the agent will pocket the difference between British and colonial interest. Theee has now arisen a very definite opinion that a loan has become advisable, though many in the Gore audience sonified disapprobation opening new of bjrj?owing ? We countey. muy be very sure that the taxpayers will not continue to provide Treasurers with surplusses with which to completp public work?. There is no demand for a fresh borrowing " boom," but it has become apparent that it is bad policy to allow iines to remain in an unfinished and unprofitable state, or to permit them to drag their slow length along oat of precarious surpluses. Mr B-ichardson wbujd borrow a million and a half, with a pledge not to go qn the market again for seven years; This sum he would take up at the, rate of L 500,000 every alternate year, and distinctly •'earmark" it — chiefly for roads to open up new country, it cjoes not need a financial expert to see that a ifew Zealand loan could be readily raised. The Colony has more than fulfilled its pledge to abstain from borrowing for a term, and it could be shown that the money could be profitably expended. It is probable, therefore, that a distinct borrowing proposition will shortly be made. Aftee a complete exposition of the financial position of the Golony, Mr Richardson unfolded his policy by sections at other centres ; oub land this was -preferable to delaws. livering one speech, and re-hashing it on pubsequant occasions. He has delivered

several " facers " to Mr Seddon, for whom it is apparent he has no political lore. The old cry of misreporting is played out, as Mr .Richardson clearly showed on Wednesday evening. Of all the Ministers the Premier is most skilful in the employment of " flapdoodle," but lot * of people prefer solidity and accuracy. Mr McEenzie, although visibly chastened by adverse criticism, and probably by a newly-born sense of responsibility, comes next. The freehold tenure was to be abandoned, yet land continues to be alienated. Invitations are held out to commit breaches oE the Act limiting the extent oi country one person may bold, and the "eternal" lease is practical alienation, and that without the State retaining the unearned increment. Some one has said the lessees can be got at by exceptional taxation, but that is an extremely objectionable method. The gambling principle of the Special Settlement Associations was again laid bare, and " farmers' sons " were shown to be leaving the parental abode and the soil as well for life in the cities. The number of them who have become " butchers and bakers and candlestickmakers " is simply alarming, and we can only hope that they will see the error of their ways and return to the fresh air of the country. Seriously, the expose was as complete as anything of the kind could be made, and if the film is not now removed from the eyes of some Government supporters we i have little hope for their political education ever being made complete. Figures, unfortunately, are unpalatable to the many, but Mr Bichardson has made them as attractive as possible, and it will BBiNGiNa up the be the fault of the abtilleby. electors if they remain ignorant of the position of the colony. His speeches during the past week rank as the best yet delivered from the Opposition side : Mr Bolleston's battalions are heavy and slow in movement, Mr Scobie Mackenzie's light cavalry do slashing but desultory work, but Mr Richardson's heavy artillery has done effective service.