ADDRESSES TO CONSTITUENTS.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4264, 29 March 1879, Page 5

ADDRESSES TO CONSTITUENTS.

CAPTAIN MORRIS AT TAURANGA. [Bt Tbi—GßAPh.] Taubanga, March 28. Captain Morris, M.H.R., addressed his constituents last evening. He first referred to the position of parties after Major Atkinson's failure. The general feeling, even among the present Opposition, was that some promises might be fulfilled, and any half-hearted attempt to oust Sir G. Grey, -was frustrated by that accomplished manceuverer working tbe forms of the House so as to prevent a vote being taken. Disgusted at this exhibition, at the infamous accusations made against all the Opposition, there were many resignations, among which the country lost the services of Mr Donald Reid. It was said that largedefaloations had been discovered in the late Government, proceedings were to be taken against Land rings for defrauding tbe people of New Zealand, &2. A majority of twenty was obtained, " But," said the speaker, " where is publicity given to the defalcations ? Where is the exposure of the defrauders of the human race? These statements were made for the Surpote of gulling tbe electorates, and were eliberately untrne." By such means a majority was obtained, which was all thit was desired. Having obtained that majority tbe promises were left unfulfilled. The financial policy of the present Government consisted of meddling and muddling. A most important industry was arreated and frightened just when requiring support. The thin end of the wedge w»5 inserted upon any industry showing signs of prosperity. The results of this might easily be foreseen. The Electoral Bui, assisted by the Opposition, passed with alight alterations, but a Government amendment, giving power to the Maoris to swamp the European electors, being rejected by the Council the Bill waa dropped, and, according to Sir George Grey, 70,000 of the human race remain disfranchise— No legis—tion was introduced against the stage villain with forty-five votes in the counties. They were still ground down by an arrogant and unscrup_ous aristocracy before whom the poor man cringes. The Maori votes were only asked for one year, the object being to swamp the electorates and give Sir George Grey the power to r-anipulate, the Maoris thrang-s the Native office inn-enee, and coerce - his followers by the threat of d-jsolntion—an nnadvisable experiment wit—out Maori si—" He did not wish to speak on Native matters, if at last they -were "be—g settled, but found plain straightfor—ard speaking desirable with the Natives, and hoped the Government would make an exception in their favour. He believed that a permanent settlement was being retarded by the nattering and nonsense talked to the Natives, and that nothing would be done until the Government desist from jobbing in native land, and pressing for political railways through the King country. By the time these railways were required the Natives wo—d themselves be anxious for them. A great reform in native lands administration was promised/but no_frig was done. Thi* district was most cruelly treated by having its

lar—a locked up. I—c apeaker then touched upon the corrupt practices of Government in the matter of a apecial wire to the newspapers supporting them at £3000 a-year leas than the —tin—ted coat to the country. The way in were given to supporters was also alluded to. But, he s-id, there was a general rule, which had been observed in this case, that those who, without, foundation, attribute base and corrupt motives to other* are already prepared themeelvee to be corrupt on opportunity. The action of the Govamment had, therefore, surprised none. A vote of thanks and confidence concluded the meeting.