MR M‘KENZIE’S SPEECH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 9430, 3 June 1891, Page 5

MR M‘KENZIE’S SPEECH.

WELLINGTON OPINION. [fbom oub own COBBEBPONDBWT.] WELLINGTON, June 2.

The speech of the Minister for Lands has been remarkably well received here. A shrewd observer remarked to me. early in the day, that the present Government never gets on to a platform without scoring. That represents a rather general feeling here with all sorts and conditions of men. The speech at Palmerston has told very strongly. I send you a few extracts from the article in the Post,

07 MB M'KBNZIK S LAND PEOPOBALS we can speak generally with favour. He has now made himself clear on the question of tenure, and we are glad to find that his policy is wiser and more acceptable than his previous utterances and some of his actions had led people generally to suppose it to be. It is satisfactory to find that he is not determined to absolutely bar the acquisition of freeholds by persons who desire to see their families grow up beneath their own vine and fig tree, and so long as the freehold tenure is left, we have no objection whatever to the other tenures which Mr M'Kenzie himself prefers. Regarding the reform of the Legislative Council, the electoral laws, and the reduction of postage rates, the Minister for Lands told the Colony nothing new. The greatest part of the speech was taken up in vindication of the Ministerial action in the past, and his own conduct in particular. Hera

MB M'KBNMB UNDOUBTEDLY BCOEBD HEAVILY.

His defence of the Ministry from responsibility for the two sessions was absolutely complete; and so far as assertions go, so was his vindication of the manner in which the Civil Service retrenchments have been carried out. Undoubtedly powerful, and in a large degree conclusive, he makes a better case out in justification of his interference with the Wellington Land Board than we conceived possible. The figures given as to dummyism in Canterbury are sufficiently startling, and fully justify Mr M'Kenzie'a contention that an amendment of the law to prevent such transactions is absolutely necessary. The remedy ha proposes is a drastic one, but not more severe than the circumstances would seem to justify. From

THE BITTHB ATTACK MADE OH HIM • recently at Invercargill by Mr Spence, the Minister for Lands emerged triumphant. His reply is thoroughly circumstantial, and is supported by indisputable evidence that the action taken by him, which Mr Spence so unequivocally impugned, was entirely justifiable, and taken in the public interest. We did not republish or lay any stress upon Mr Spence's accusations, because on their very face they bore the stamp of improbability and were evidently tbe utterances and imaginings of a disappointed and angry man. We congratulate the Minister for Lands on the complete answer he has been able to make in self-vindication. It is, we think, to be regretted that Mr M'Eenzia marred his otherwise moderate and excellent speech by his concluding onslaught ou the Otago Baihf Times and its proprietary. No one can deny that he received considerable provocation, for the manner in which he has been written of and referred to in that paper has exceeded all the bounds of fair criticism or political courtesy. Still, Mr M'Kenzie could have afforded to let the matter pass, and would, we think, have acted more wisely had he done so. Altogether, the speech of the Minister for Lands should strengthen the Ministry throughout the Colony.