SPEECH BY MR. G. W. RUSSELL

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4296, 4 March 1901, Page 6

SPEECH BY MR. G. W. RUSSELL

CRITICISM OF THE GOVERNMENT PRESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, March 2. Mr G. W.'Bussell, M.H.R., addressed a meeting at Riccarton last night.. His speech was mostly devoted to criticism of the Government. He opposed sending more troops to Africa, and deplored I the loss of a properly organised Oppoj sit ion last session, saying that when j tiie right of criticism was abrogated it uas going a, long way towards setting np an autocracy. Ho was of opinion that next session both the Addrcss-in-Reply and tho Budget would be debated. Tho speaker criticised the weakness of the Ministry, which really consisted of Messrs Seddon and Ward, and did act represent the real strength of tho Liberal sentiment. He went into figures to show that the expenditure had increased in greater ratio than the revenue, and spoke strongly against tho Premier’s Crown- Tenants' Rent Rebate Bill. Mr Russell supported federation, and said he did not think the industries of New Zealand would suffer by union. Continuing, he condemned tiie Premier’s display at Svdney of a bodyguard l of Maori warriorsT" contrasting it with j the probable attitude of John Ballance |or of John McKenzie. He., denied that lie had voted for the “£4,0 ’steal,” ,‘aiid strongly condemned the,Public Revenues Act. , ~'He protested against the Government’s meddling between Education Boards, and teachers in connection with teachers’ salaries, urging that the Boards should be first consulted. Mr Russell concluded by advocating that the Government should bo brought under tho awards of the Arbitration Court, and by stating that he .would, oppose . the Go\eminent whenever it departed from the principles of true Liberalism. A vote of confidence in Mr Russell was passed. '