THE NELSON ELECTION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XVI, Issue 124, 30 May 1881, Page 2

THE NELSON ELECTION.

SPEECH OF MB J. C. RICHMOND. Nelson, May 28. Mr .1. C. Richmond addressed n large raeetI ing of the electors last night, and alluding to his career prior to his lute absence, lie said those who knew him formerly would not find him substantially changed. Although he had been ranked as an anti-provincialist, he did not regard abolition without regret, as the vivid interest token m local affairs no longer existed. The Provincial Conncil had exercised a sort of official audit on the Colonial finances. Beferring to their original constitution, he blamed Sir C'o.u-ge Grey for endowing the privinpp= with thn land fund, which was the p;uLi..u.iy vi thu Colony, and should have given it the opportunity t» construct railways without incurring the burthen of foreign debt. He considered a land tax and the abolition of primogenttliu'o safeguard against the monopoly of large estates, Ho '■n'li-ml (i&pttntion to volunteei s, bnt insisted cllkUii.iy, \-- fir as possible, consistent with treaty oiiii^.iions, the immigration of Chinese should be restricted. He blamed the Grey Government for continuing expenditure when the credit of the colony was at stake, and » financial oatastrophe was only avoided by a free use of the cable. He recognised the ivdnijrable service then rendered by Yogel. He appeared favorable to the Property Tax, and said he was a socialist, and glad to see that all the essential points of the chartist programme had been carried out here where all olasses must work together for the common good. He thought if railways were properly farmed tl;oy would pay the interest on their cost, and on the money squandered on other works. He advocated the scheme of general assurance to provide against poverty, so that the aged nnd infirm should not be obliged to seek relief as beggars. He was m favor of the Nelson compromi u e system of education, and would sup. poti it roduotion m customs duties. A vote of thanks and coniidence was passed.