MR. MACFARLANE AND THE MINISTRY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 826, 5 December 1878, Page 2

MR. MACFARLANE AND THE MINISTRY.

(FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Auckland, Dec. 4. Mr. Macfarlane addressed his con- ! stituents last evening. He said the Piako swamp had already cost LIOO,OOO, and ! 500 miles of drains have been constructed. J He condemned the Government for repeatedly breaking their promises to introduce a Native Lands Bill. He also condemned the Colonial Treasurer's proposals, which he said were miserable. The Tariff Bill would be a fatal blow to the Auckland timber trade. He characterised the Government as "a poor miserable Ministry." If the late Government were land jobbers, the present Government were doubly land jobbers. The feeling on the east coast, in consequence of the native lands being locked up, was fearful. He declared that Auckland did not receive a fair share of the public money. He condemned the Land Tax Bill, and said that the talk about the unearned increment was preposterous and silly. He went on to say : —'' Sir George Grey is a very clever man in one way : but, my goodness me, as a business man and a man of plain common sense he is nowhere.—(Laughter and cheers.) Mr. Macandrew looks after the money, and gets as much as he can for his district, while we are going to the wall. Sir Geo. Grey sitting down at Kawau. It is a most extraordinary thing that he allows this. Last session was the most barren session I ever saw in Wellington. I can only say that I am as disappointed as any man can be with the present Ministry. They have done nothing for Auckland. Sir George Grey has lost many friends and supporters, and that will toll against him next session. He had promised to sell the Ministerial residences, and Jie also said that L2OO a year was enough for any Minister to have. He has not sold one residence, and Ministers continue to draw the same salaries. The whole session was occupied with long speeches, but when it came to a consideration of money matters those wretches went home to their beds.—(Laughter.) Natives who paid no rates could get money for roads when Europeans could get nothing. Five thousand pounds was paid for the final settlement of the native claims to the Duneclin Princes-street reserve, which was originally worth LlO. Mr. Macandrew had formerly said they were entitled to nothing. Mr. Grace got L2OOO for property destroyed 28 years ago because he supported the Government. Mr. Parnail, who had received Ll4O in payment of his claim, now got L 250 more and an appointment. Sir John Coode, who was a week in the Colon}', received LIOOO and travelling expenses because he was a friend of Sir George Grey's, All Governments were horrible expensive."

Mr. Macfarlane concluded amidst applause, and received a vote of thanks. One speaker referring to Mr. Macfarlane's statement that Mr. Macandrew had ordered sleeping cars for the south, wanted to know if he would yofce for sleeping cars to put Auckland members in, but Mr. Macfarlane treated the question with silent contempt. On being asked what he 4id i n reference to Mr. Curtis' Education Bill, Mr, Macfarlane replied, cf Voted against like fury ; and in reply to a question as to the claims of a son of a colonist, ho said ha thought the daughter of an old colonist had an equally good claim.