PARLIAMENT OUT OF SESSION.

Clutha Leader, Volume V, Issue 235, 10 January 1879, Page 6

PARLIAMENT OUT OF SESSION.

1 , — Mr Wakefield, M.H.R. for Geraldin*, addressed his constituents at Temuka on Saturday night. After referring to the various measures introduced by tbe Government during the session, tie said he was astonished to find that the JBill brought ih by the -Gpyernment .for; extension of suffrage; was ■-. weak in. the extreme, aiid was, the .mere echo, of the* theories ot politioai; economy which.

were the hobby ofthe Aftonre]^©_lirivr* He referred in strong terms of condemnation to ;be withdrawal of tb_ : Brlb^.y^ and Electoral Bills, after tbe promise* toad© by the Premier. Ho cpoqemneil^ the Land Tax Rill as unnecessary an<L ni.workab>, and con tended that tha Rood Boards shoij'd be told tbat there were no sub-rid iei*, nnd tbey must raise the money by rates. The railways in Otago were the only ones which would : be made for some thn_ to come, ,SL George Grey's Government had lost th_ confidence of the Colony. It had, . bad the greatest opportunities of any.. Government, and yet it was novr found that its policy and measures were characterised by what had been aptljy ,'' called " gross jobs and personal hob-, , bies." The Government neglected public affairs to go on a wild-goose chase after some fieory. The gaols were over-crowded, our lunatic asylums were a perfect disgrace, and our local institutions were almost in a state of colapse. Yet tliey found the members of the Gpvernment wandering about the Colony in every direction instead of settling down to wcnrk in the public interests. He believed that the country would call fox a measure, for the redistribution of seats, and that a dissolution would then take place. If this, were done, tbe result would be greatly against Sir Geurge Grey's Ministry, , and they wonld have to give w;ay .to better naen, or bring in measures based on good government and sound finance. What was wanted was, not theoretical* but practical and economical government. . A vote of thanks to Mr Wakefield for his address was passed by a. large majority.