LAST NIGHT’S MEETING.

Marlborough Express, Volume XIV, Issue 1122, 5 April 1879, Page 5

LAST NIGHT’S MEETING.

Mb Seymoxjb, M.H.R. for Wairau held his meeting last evening, and of course in consequence, we are unable to report it in this issuei There was a fair attendance, although the hall was not filled to overflowing. Mr Seymour was well received, but the enthusiasm was not extravagant. He gave a resume of last year’s session, and criticised the measures of the Government, especially the reduction of the duties on the necessaries of life, which he ridiculed as being too paltry. He explained the action he had taken on the Education question, and the support he had given to Curtis’s Bill, which he said was not a denominational scheme. He characterised the career of the Government as consisting of broken promises, measures dropped, and hopes unfulfilled. He explained that in joining the Nelson members in reference to the railway line, he had done so because they had previously helped him, and the mainline was set down intho Act of 1873 as being from Nelson to Christ-

church by the West Coast. He characterised'the Land Tax as unfair, and injuriously affecting an important industry; and the Sheep Bill he considered worked harshly, especially if the heavy lines under it were enforced. The taxation of the lessees of Crown land he considered especially unfair. He considered he had been very unfairly attacked by the local organ which supported the Grey Government and alluded to some remarks of Mr Ward on this subject. The questions of hospitals and charitable aid he considered had been greatly neglected by the present administration, and their position with regard to native affairs he thought most unsatisfactory. A variety of other topics were referred to and treated from the opposition point of view. He concluded by assuring the electors that he had endeavoured to serve them with singleness of heart and honesty of purpose. After answering some questions, Mr Redwood proposed the following resolution: “That the thanks of this meeting be given to Mr Seymour for his address, and for his action in Parliament last session.” This was seconded by Mr James Robinson, and carried. Prior to this, Mr Dodson made an able speech, which will be reported in our next issue, in which he combated several of Mr Seymour’s propositions with considerable effect, and his remarks were cheered by the audience. Mr 0. Redwood also made some observations from an anti-Grey point, of view, as did also Mr Ward. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.