MR SDOBIE MACKENZIE AT GORE.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXV, Issue 1309, 23 June 1899, Page 5

MR SDOBIE MACKENZIE AT GORE.

Mr Scobie Mackenzie had a crowded and most enthusiastic meeting at Gore on Tuesday night. In dealing with Mr M'Nab's criticisms of his tables as given in Dunedin, Mr Mackenzie pointed out that in several important particulars the results corresponded exactly, and that in regard to railways Mr M'Nab had unwarrantably given tho Government credit for 167 miles of private lines, such as the Manawatu, . Kaitangata, Shag Point, and other?, Not only could these lines not be credited to the Government, bat they were actually constructed during the term of previous Governments. In no single instance had Mr M'Nab proved his (Mr Mackenzie's) figures to be wrong. He next showed that during the seven years of Mr Seddon's Government 11,274 (nett) settlers had been put on the land, as against 14,116 for the seven years previous, while 2,308 forfeitures had been made during 1896, 1897, and 1898, Mr M'Nab had said : «Forfeitures are the true test of settlement." Alluding to the increase of over seven millions in the Public Debt from 1891 to 1899, MiMackenzie asked : Had they been told in 1891 that seven millions would be borrowed, what would they have expected for it ? He thought that they would have expected all the trunk and branch railways to have been completed, together with roads, bridges, telegraphs, and lighthouses, and still have had a . good round sum in hand. But by the process of deception that had been- practised they had been led for years to suppose that there was no borrowing. They were now told that if they expected the railways to be completed a large loan would have to be raised. The railway expenditure was screwed down to produce for Mr Seddon his surplus. The sum of L 95,000 was taken from the railway revenue last year for this purpose, and less returned to the railways per cent, of revenue than had been the case previously, and this despite L 200,000 obtained to provide rolling stock. He referred to the -sale of railway stores and to the marine scandal. Mr M'Nab, when questioned as to the latter, had said that he would not give his opinion, because he might be put on a committee set up to j deal with the question in tho House. But the duty of every representative was to give his opinion on all questions before the public. Mr M'Nab had not touched the marine scandal, because it was too dirty for any decent, honest man. The Premier's expenses and the Wrigg scandal were next dealt with; The Opposition would not, as stated, repeal the Acts passed by the will of the people. That was a bogey raised to frighten the electors 'nto supporting the Government, as was the calk of the Ministerialists of. repealing the Education Act and. similar measures passed long since. The people s.eenjed, to think tha.*

all beneficial legislation dated from the inception of the Liberal Government, but they forgot the legislation of previous Governments, especially the labor legislation which the Atkinson Administration inaugurated. It had been said that the Opposition had no policy. Individuals could have no policy, and when the present Government took office they asked for fourniontha to hatch one. If the Opposition disclosed their policy the present Government would steal it. He spoke for over two hours, and concluded by denying that he came there for the purpose of electioneering, or doing anyone an injury; He was there simply to. give them his opinions on current politics, and to disabuse their minds that he was deceiving them by his facts and figures given in Dunedin two months ago. A vote of thanks was passed amidst enthusiastic cheering. Cheers were also called for Mr Seddon and Mr M'Nab, and were given amid groans. Mr Mackenzie was afterwards carried shoulder-high from the hali to his hotel.