MR. MOORHOUSE, M.H.R., AT CHRISTCHURCH. (PER PRESS AGENCY.) Christchurch, July 21.

North Otago Times, Volume 1945, Issue XXVI, 22 July 1878, Page 2

MR. MOORHOUSE, M.H.R., AT CHRISTCHURCH. ( PER PRESS AGENCY.) Christchurch, July 21.

Mr W. S. Moorhouso acldressocl his Christchurch constituents last night. Ho said tho Opposition of last session, though its members hold tho namo opinions still, or tho samo opinions in a slightly modified form, had ceaso I as a party to exist. Ho denied with somo warmth the appellation given him of " Prince of humbugs. " Ho know people would not consider Yiim capable of bom« such. Ho also denied being " played out." His present political attitude towards Sir G. Grey was briefly this : Ho recognised Sir George Grey's oloquonce and exceeding ability. Ho had done his best to koop Sir G. Groy out of office, but seeing his enormous majority, and how completely tho colony had chosen to trust him as its political leader, it would bo very arrogant on his (Mr Moorhouse's) part if ho did not stand on one sido, witness the experiment, and support Sir G. Groy in his valuablo measures. He had too much interest in tho colony to offer factious opposition, but he would bo a very sturdy rebel indeed to any measure which boro tho impress of bad or mistaken policy. The last chango of Ministry had been largely contributed to by tho desiro of somo persons for office. Tho tnctics used to obtain possession of tho Government benches wero in somo dogroo unchivalric, and tho means used woro not to be admiro lon tho scoro of generosity. Ho had como, aftor reflection, to tho conclusion that it was a vory good thing, as a matter of public education, that there had been a change of Ministry. H" dwelt especially on tho spirit of moderation that had come over Ministries, and boro testimony from his own daily knowledge at Wellington to their undoubtedly able powers of administration, and was especially forcible on tho point that Mr Macandrew since taking oflico was not guiclod by tho belief that Otago was all Now Zoaland. At the n.uno timo it was impossible that tho Government could mako a realisation of all their promises. They talked of manhood suffrage in Auckland, hut tho further south the Government went, and tho colder tho climato, tlio more consorvativo they became. Ho trusted thero would bo a short session, no factious opposition, as littlo legislation and as much rest as possible. A vote of thanks was heartily passed to Mr "VToorhouse, tho question of want of confidences not being allowed to be put by the meeting.