MR GARRICK'S SPEECH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5993, 30 July 1887, Page 3

MR GARRICK'S SPEECH.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Will you kindly allow me space in your columns to criticise a few statements made by Mr Garrick while addressing the StAlbans electors at Merivale on Friday night. He claimed a right to criticise the Government proposals in the House, and I, as an elector, claim the same right to criticise a representative's address. He went a considerable length in showing what measures the present Government had introduced and carried which were of great benefit to the Colony. He gave them considerable praise, and showed that they were entitled to his support. He went as far as to say, in speaking of what Sir Julius Yogel said with regard to retrenchment in addressing the electors of Chrißtchurch North the other night, that no person could have, put his (Mr G-arrick's) views better than Sir Julius Yogel, who, if he carried out his I views, would be heartily supported by him, but did not say one word as to supporting the present Government whatever policy they proposed. The inference to be drawn from this, in the opinion of many electors, is that if Sir Julius Yogel would withdraw from the present Government, break it up and form a new Ministry, with Mr Garrick in said Ministry, and carry out Mr Garrick's views, he should have his hearty support. These seem to be the new tactics to draw Sir Julius Yogel from the present Government in order to break it up. It has been tried on by the Opposition schemers to divide up the Government by patting Sir E. Stout on the back, calling him a good boy, and urging him to assert his rights and lead the Government. There has been scarcely a stone unturned to bring about dissension in the Ministry, as the Opposition think this the only way to dispose of the present Government. Mr Garrick said that he was urged to move a vote of want of confidence in the Government. It is very strange that Mr Garrick should be singled out if he had not shown a desire for the Government Benches, and also shown considerable opposition to the Government. He said he was offered the support of 47 members, and it only wanted 48. It looks to me that if that 48th supporter could have been secured it would not have taken Mr Garrick long to make up his mind to move the No-Confidence motion, but he is too good a general to undertake the job, knowing that he had not sufficient support to carry the motion. I should not like to have trusted Mr Garrick with that one other supporter. Mr Garrick told his audience that he had no desire for office, that he was afraid his health would not permit of his holding office in a Ministry ; but, in my opinion, the only grievance that he has with the Government is, that he is not in it. Mr Garrick thought that there should not be so many Ministers. The Minister of Justice was singled out to be disposed of. I wonder if this is the sore in Mr Garrick's side. Does he think that he should occupy that position P If he did, I have no doubt that he would think the Minister of Justice a very essential person in the Ministry, and could not be dispensed with. Mr Garrick referred to the Civil Servants in Wellington, not attending to their duties. He went into one of the offices for his railway pass, and the officer attending to that department was out, &0., inferring that he was not attending to his duties. Well, such may have been the case in this instance, he may have had business connected with his office outside to attend to. It is a very easy thing to say on a public platform that the Civil Servants in Wellington do not earn their money, but this I can say, I have been through that great red-tape building on a Sunday when I saw a large number of Civil Servants there with their coats off working all day. I asked one gentleman that I was introduced to if he could not get through with his work in the week without working on Sunday. He told me that he had been there for ten years, and he had had scarcely a Sunday to himself and it was very seldom that he got away from the office until 11 and sometimes 1 o'clock, and that there were many more in the establishment situated in the same way. The people outside think that ! we have rosy billets, but we have to earn our money. Mr Garrick would do well to take a walk through that great pile of wooden buildings on a Sunday, if he has the good luck to get back there, and see for himself, before he speaks so flippantly about the Civil Servants in Wellington not earning their wages. Mr Garrick said that he did not see that his independence of character was any good reason why the electors should reject him. No, nor I, but we want a representative to represent the people, not simply to go to represent himself and a few of his own class only. If Mr G&rrick be elected again for St Albans, he will have to declare what Government he intends to support. He has told the electors plainly enough that he will not support the Government Tariff proposals, and he gave the meeting to understand that he would not support the present Government, that he would go as an independent man, that is, to do just as he chooses. Will that suit the electors? I think not. I believe they will look for some one who will declare to represent the people. — I am, &c., ELECTOR.