HON. G. F. RICHARDSON AT CROYDON.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 213, 10 November 1896, Page 2

HON. G. F. RICHARDSON AT CROYDON.

The Hon. G. F. Bichardson addressed the Croydon portion of the Mataura Electorate on Saturday evening at the schoolhouse, the , building being pretty well filled, a number of ' electors from other part of the district being present, also a number of ladies. j Mr Ben. Smith was voted to the chair, and in introducing the hon. gentleman, said Mr , Richardson had faithfully represented them in Parliament before, and he hoped the electors would give him a fair and patient hearing. Mr Richardson, who was well received on rising, stated that he was glad to see so many present in this corner of the district and he hoped he would be able to make a few converts. On former occasions he had voted against the Government, and if returned at this election he would again vote against them. Ho was glad there was no third candidate this time to split the votes. He did not believe in outside canvassing of votes for a candidate. The platform was tho place to make converts. He did not believe in any Government remaining in office too long, and having a very large majority ; a small one was much better. He would not bother them with a lot of figures as he had gone into the matter ai length the previous night at Gore, and he had no doubt those present would read one or other of the local papers, and judge for themselves. The hon. gentleman then went on to speak of the action of the Government in the past, and mentioned some matters of the future, and how he would deal with them. Mr Richardson spoke for about two hours, and was attentively listened to and frequently applauded. The following questions were put to the candidate: — Mr Geo. Biggar : Would Mr Richardson be in favor of extending the Hokonui Railway from McDonald's corner to Gore ? Mr Richardson was sorry he could not give a favorable answer as he did not want to see any more public works started until the works on hand were finished. Mr Copeland : Will Mr Richardson if returned, use his endeavors to have the monies overcharged to bushmen on their licenses during tho past ten years in Croydon Bush refunded ? Mr Richardson said he would not. There was no chance of getting the money back, and in his opinion licenses ought to be done away with in a worked-out bush. An Elector: If elected, will you be in favor of opening a tramway from Mr G. Biggar's to Whisky Creek, as it will be the means of opening up new country to the benefit 300 bushmen ? Mr Richavd-on thought there was some joke in this question which he did not see. However, he was opposed to any new works until those on hand were finished. Mr Robt. Dicksan : If elected, would you continue the Hon. John M'Konzie's land policy, or revert back to your own? Mr Richardson said he objected to unnecessary change. He thought John McKenzie might have done without changing the land laws. He should not have changed his (Mr Richardson's) policy. He thought there too many systems at present. Mr Strachan, sen. : Suppose people wished to get a block of land near Gore, would Mr Richardson give effect to their wishes? Mr Richardson said it depended very much on the surrounding circumstances. There were many people who wanted it if it could be got at a reasonable price, but speaking generally he preferred people settling on Crown Lands, and not on cultivated land which had been worked out. He thought it reasonable that suburban lands round Timaru, Oamaru, and Dunediu should be bought if necessary for settlement. The Chairman : Was the Bauk of New Zealand in difficulties when you were in office, and did the Government render it any assistance ? Mr Richardson said during tho time his party were in. office it was well known that the bank were in difficulties at thaktime. The Government raised a ono million loan for the North Island Trunk Railway, and this was spent before they came into office ; they raised another million loan, and something of which he could not tell them happened. Some things could be talked of iv public ; others could not. If thatmillion had not been raised it would have placed the bank in difficulties. While the money was in waiting to be spent, the bank had it to invest and they gradually got into a hole. If the Government had gone on borrowing the bank would have had the money to handle. There was no money advanced. When the Government left office, however, they handed over £7*18,000 to the present Government. A number of others questions were answered, including carriage of lime, frozen meat, Bible-iu Schools, compensation to publicans, etc., after which Mr T. R. Carroll moved that the Hon. Mr Richardson receive a vote of thanks and confidence. On this being seconded Mr Wm. Dickson moved as an amendment that Mr Richardson be accorded a hearty vote of thanks only. — Mr Harie Copeland seconded the amendment, which on being put to the meeting was carried by a large majority. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting.