A "POST-SESSIONAL UTTERANCE."

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1669, 10 December 1873, Page 2

A "POST-SESSIONAL UTTERANCE."

i Some plain, peculiar, but n.ot very ! popular speaking was indulged in by Mr , J. E. Brown, when addressing his constituents in the Ashley district. He said-^ In fact, the people of New Zealand are about the most over-governed people in the world, and it would be greatly to their advantage if there were to be no : more sessions of Assembly or Provincial Councils for two yeara ; better let the members retire to their gardens, and take a shovel or a spade and assist in developing the resources of the country than to go up to Wellington and waste the resources of the country,-*«r(Loud applause.) A little breathing spell would enable the authorised railways to be comi pleted, and the country pause aud con- • aider the effect. We are rushing along at

a furious rate to what bankers call " the clearing day ;" and we reach that point, men's pockets and souls will be tried in the furnace of adversity. : — (Applause.) In going.backto the question of qualification of electors, he might at once say that he did not believe in a measure that some people weie at present advocating, namely universal suffrage. (Hear, hear.). He would tell them plainly that he would rather throw up his seat at once than vote for universal suffrage. If the man who was worth one shilling was as much considered as the man with one hundred shillings, it would be a very bad lo.ok out. (Hear, hear.) He had seen men land in New York, throw up their hats whenever they stepped on shore, and' cry, " Freedom and down with old England." (Applause.) Let the suffrage remain as it is by all means, as he considered it was low enough. (Hear, hear.) He was anxious to call his constituents together at the four different polling places in the district, and get their opinions. Then if they did not agree with* his views, leb them by all means get some one else to represent them. He would go up to the Assembly and vote for the Legislative Council being constituted as at presant. If it were the opinion, of his constituents that it was to be made inactive, his conscience would not allow him to represent their views, aud he would at once resign. (Cheers.) If any ( elector wished to ask him questions, he would be very willing to answer them. He hoped, however, that they would take time to consider the -suggestions he had thrown out, and he would make it his business to call upon them publicly, or privately^ before next session of the Assembly, and ascertain whether they resolved to adopt a different course in political matters to what had been foreshadowed by him. If they decided upon doing so, he was very sorry to say that he would not be able to represent their district any louger. (Hear, hear.) He was thankful to them for the honor they had done him in electing him two years ago, but his conscience would not allow him to represent or advocate views different to what he had just advanced. (Applause.)