THE LATE POLITICAL SPEECHES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6064, 25 April 1881, Page 5

THE LATE POLITICAL SPEECHES.

[iiV TELEGRAPH. — OWN* OORRKSrOXDI£NT.] CuinsTCiiup.cn, Saturday. TriE Times reviews the two political speeches in a leader from which I extract the following :—" Mr. Stevens spoke as an independent man, tied to no party. The Government was not even named in his speech. He approved of this and he disapproved of that, but his judgment was entirely on the merit of cach question, quite independent of the persons or the questions affected. Mr. Ormond, on the other hand, though he prefaced his remarks with expressions of his deep regret at having to differ from his personal friends, of the Government, whom he respected greatly, made upon them the most damaging attack that lias been made since lie made his last famous assault during the . session of last year. Having borne testimony to the excellence of their private character individually, Mr. Orniond demolished their I collective political characters into fragments. The best part in Mr. Stevens' speech was that in which he dealt <; statesmanlike, clear, and emphatic. He has no sympathy with those who think that the superior excellence of the system is the best reason for withdrawing from it the greater portion of the State aid. Like a sensible, practical man, he docs not believe that the system is in the least degree too good. If he can Vie shown iiow the cost may be diminished without impairing the efficiency of the system he I is ready to support the method, but interference of any other kind he will set his face against it. His opinion is that the consolidated revenue is the natural source of the educational income. We entirely concur with Mr. Stevens. Education being indispensable, must be supported out of the public revenue. Mr. Ormond has made in one rcspcct the most remarkable speech ol the last six years. As a leader of the abolitionists,-he has confessed that abolitior was a huge mistake. Experience has convinced him of the force of aii the argument.which the proviucialiats urged on the stupii majority that followed the bidding of Majoi Atkinson and Sir Julius Vogel. He see; with melancholy clearness that the mei who advocated amendment rather thai destruction were after all right. Wosi probably he sees that none but th( wilfully blind could have missed seeim them as he sees now accordingly. H< laments the want of some living method o local government as the great want of tin land. He therefore makes the absence o any decent provision for such a method thi strongest count in hi 3 indictment agains the Government. The rest of the indict rnent is strong. It may be summed up a depriving the Government of every credi which they claim, and excusing them o every blunder which it is in their powe to commit. The most extraordinary par of Mr. Ormond's speech 13 in the con elusion of the speech, when he denounce the Government is quite unfit for thei position, and stigmatises their call fc political rest as by no means to be indulged It ends by practically promising the Goveri incut Mr. Ormond's support to pass a fc measures to get necessary supplies, and to g to the country when they like before ne> year. Finance, local government, eharitab aid, public works, encouragement of privai enterprise, to complete the works out of tV colony's power—all these things and man more are to take care of themselves f< another year, some of them going on grooves which Mr. Orniond considers; disa troui. Yet Mr. Ormond expccts to be co sidered a leader in this I Louse of Kepr sentatives.