Mr McKenzie on his Defence.

Bush Advocate, Volume VII, Issue 476, 2 June 1891, Page 3

Mr McKenzie on his Defence.

♦ (rER TRESS ASSOCIATION.) PALMEnsTON S., Juno 1. A meeting convonod by the Hon. J. McKenzio in order that ho might reply to certain accusations made against his .administration -by Mr Spence, ex-Commissionor of Lands at luvercargill, was held in tho Town Hall, Palmerston South, this evening, and was largely attended. The Minister for Lands began by referring to the proposed legislation for the ensuing session. Ministers had during the four months thoy had been in offico reduced the public expenditure by botweon £50,000 and £60,000. Thoy had in each instance actod iv concert, and would be prepared to answer to Parliament as to what they had done in this diroction, and if they wore defeated tho olectors would have a voico iv tho matter before it was finally sottled. Tho policy of tho Government was no borrowing, to live within their means, and to roly on their own resources. Thoy bolievod that if such a policy wore carried out for a few years thoy would have such confidence restored as would bring about progress and prosperity throughout Now Zealand. Ministers had determined tj reduco the postage throughout tho colony, to make nn honest endeavor to reform the Legislative Council by limiting tho time members could rotnin thoir seats, and to amend the electoral laws hy properly purging the rolls. Moasures dealing with labor and capital would also be introduced, but they would not

bo of a revolutionary character, I nor would they contain any ] fireworks* These measures, while preserving the rights of labor, would give fair play to capital. A Land Bill would be introduced, one provision of which would put a stop to dummyism by making any breaches or evasions of the law a misdemeanor and punishable by imprisonment only. The speaker next defendod Mr Ritchie's appointment as chief of the Stock Department, saying that no more pure and honest appointment had been made to the Civil Service of the colony.. Mr Spence'a charges were dealt with at some length. The Minister said that repeated complaints were made concerning that gentleman's administration of the Lands Department in Southland, and after a personal inquiry as to the way in which tho forest reserves were being dealt with, he (Mr McKonzie) had in the interests •of the colony, and as an act of kindness to Mr Spence himself, ordered his removal from the place where he had been so many years to Westland, at the same salary as he had been drawing hitherto. Mr Spence preferred to retire from the service, and asked for £1 180 retiring allowance, claiming not only payment for. the time he was in the General Government employ, but in the Provincial Government also, as well as six months' leave of absence on full pay. The Cabinet, however, only agreed to grant him £540, which was far more than he was legally entitled to, so that Mr Spence spoke as a disappointed man. As to Mr Missen's transfer to Canterbury, he was 60 years of age, and therefore too old to continue tho duties of Crown lands officer and special ranger for Southland. Mr Duncan Campbell, who had been appointed to the dual post, had previously occupied the position of ranger there, but had been dismissed by the late Government for doing his duty too faithfully. It had been charged against him (the Minister) by Mr Spence that ho had transferred Mr Missen to Canterbury in order to make a billet for Mr Campbell, but to disprove that he need only mention that at the very time the appointments as made a. rangership in Canterbury was vacant. He also denied that he had left the Land Ofiice at Invercargill with, an inadequate staff, and gave figures in support of this assertion. In conclusion the Minister asked the meeting to decide between himself and his accuser. (Loud applause.) Mr Murcot moved, and it was carried mm con, "That this meeting has every confidence in the Hon J. Mackenzie, Minister of Lands, as our representative, and also in the Government in which he is a member, and that the actions of the present Government since it came into office are fully approved by the Waitaki constituency, and merit the confidence of the country at large," ■■■amnHBMMnaMH.