MR. WAKEFIELD AT LEESTON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7020, 17 May 1884, Page 5

MR. WAKEFIELD AT LEESTON.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION] Chkistchitrch, Friday. Ac Leeston last night Mr. Wakefield addressed a crowded meeting in the Town Hall. He accused the Government of deliberately setting the North against the South by the grain tariff, and blamed them for not coming sooner before the public with a policy. He considered their polioy unsatisfactory, and that federation and land tenure were not questions to be discussed now. He thought the coming session likely to give greater cause for shame than the last, which was saying a good deal. The speeches of Sir George Grey had not inspired confidence in him as a leader of the people, and he (Mr. Wakefield) was entirely opposed to the principles enunciated by Sir George Grey. Taking the unearned increment was nothing else but wholesale robbery. He did not agree with Mr. Montgomery's taxation of absentees and large landholders,' but he wished that half of the British peerage .would follow the example of the Duke of Manchester and Lord Lyttelton. Of Sir Julius Vogel he desired to • speak with every delicacy. If Sir Julius got into Parliament, he was likely to take a prominent part, and. his first proposal would be to plunge the colony further into debt. He hoped this would not he accepted by the people. He had always opposed Sir Julius politically, but was not going to be one of those who would hound him out of the colony. He was not goiDg to propound any policy, but intended to identity himself with men of moderate views and disinterested motives, and he believed there would be a large party in the House who would take up the same position. He did not intend to take part in the impending struggle for office. A unanimous vote of thanks was accorded him at the close of his apeeoh, which lasted over two hours.