A CRITICISM OF THE GOVERNMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 53, 4 March 1901, Page 2

A CRITICISM OF THE GOVERNMENT.

SPEECH BY (!. W. RUSSI2LL,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

CHRTSTCIIUKCH, Saturday

Mr G. W. JUtssell addressed a meeting at liicearton lust night. His speech mostly was devoted to criticism of the Government. lie opposed sending1 more troops to South Africa, and deplored the loss of a properly organised Opposition last, session, saying that when the right of criticism was abrogated it was goingl a long way to set up an autocracy. He was of opinion that next, seas ion both, the Address-in-Reply and Buclgofc would be debated. He criticised the weakness of the Ministry, which really consisted of Mr Seddon and Mr Ward. The Ministry did not represent the real strength of the liberal sentiment. He wont into iigures to show that expenditure had increased in greater ratio than revenue, and ho warned the people that if the present prosperity oame to an end there would be a roar far retrenchment. lie criticised the ad j ministration of the Lands Department, which, he said, required overhauling. lie spoke strongly against the Premier's Crown Tenants Rebate Bill, and regretted that the Federation Commission Avas composed of gentlemen opposed to federation. He supported federation. He said he did not think the. industries of New Zealand would suffer. Continuing, he condemned the. Premier's display in Sydney of a body-guard, of Maori warriors, contrasting" it with the probable attitude of BaHance or Mcltenzie. He denied that he had voted for Hie. £40 "steal,1' and strongly condemned the Public Revenues Act. He. was opposed to the annexation of Fiji and Cook Islands. He protested against the Government meddling between Education Hoards and teachers in connection with teachers' salaries, urging that the Boards should be first consulted. He concluded by supporting the, Government being brought under the awards of the Arbitration Court, stating he. would oppose the Government where they departed from the principles of true Liberalism.,