THE HON. G. McLEAN ON THE POLITICAL POSITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6280, 3 January 1882, Page 5

THE HON. G. McLEAN ON THE POLITICAL POSITION.

■ In acknowledging a present of a magnificent solid silver salver from the electors cf Waikouaiti, the Hon. G. McLean made a speech in which'he saiil :—"lt was difficult for him to find words to suitably express his thanks for the handsome gift they had presented to him, and tor the kindly mariner in which they had included his wife in the presentation. It had been urged upon him that lie should represent a town constituency, but he had always given one answer to such requests, and that was, when Waikouaiti turned him out he would consent, and he would add that his wife had always advised htm to stick by Waikouaiti. He stuck to his post as long as he could, although lie was suffering bodily, and when he was unfit to be in the House he was often there attending to the interests of his constituents and the colony. Before he determined to retire he had seen the colony dragged through her difficulties and verging on a tiiuu of prosperity. The colony's affairs were in safe hands. On the last occasion he addressed thuin he asked them to return a member for the district that would give a fair support to the present Government, which had done so much for the colony. To say that the Government had not made mistakes would be untrue ; but what mistakes had been made were only errors of judgment. There were a large number of members elected who were independents, and lie would ask these independent members to go to the House.unpledgcd and untrammelled as they were on the hustings, and not be tied down by any party whatever, but steer a course that would be for the public good. If they were careful in their actions, and made use of an untrammelled vote, the country would be brought out of its difficulties, and left in a healthful and happy condition. There was great danger in. anticipating loans. He had pointed, out in regard to the last loan that owing to the credit of New Zealand being below that of New South Wales it had cost this colony £85,000 more than it should havo done—which sum went into the hands of speculators to the detriment of the people of the colony. The money was wasted in carrying out public works. The Legislative Council he looked upon as an important body, which any person who had been in the Lower House would admi , ;; for many Bills that were pushed through the House were properly considered in the Council, and he had known members to say in regard to their Bills, ' Thank God there is a House of Lords.'"