MR. McDONALD BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 14 September 1880, Page 2

MR. M c DONALD BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS.

(by telegraph.) Gisborne, September IS. Mr. Allan M'Donald addressed his constituents on Friday uight all the Masonic Hall. The Mayor presided. Mr. M'Donald reviewed the work of the session at considerable length. He- regretted that the Government had dropped all the Batiro measures. He spoke in high terms of praise of Judge Fenton for the pains ho had takon and assiduity he had Bhown in endeavoring to have really good measures passed for dealing with native lands, and said that had Judge Fenton's views bectii carried out, he (Mr. M'Donald) had no doubt but ill a little while all the land troubles and disputes along the East Ooaat would have ceased. He severely condemned the Land Sales Bill as introduced, and described the native policy of the Government as the woj?st yet enunciated. On the education question ho was opposed to the present extravagant outlay incurred by the country. He believed that persona who were able to pay for the education of their children should be compelled to do so. He would support, art inoome andproperty tax, but he wasagains* taxing local industries. He condemned the Government, and especially the Attorney-General (Mr. Whitaker) for tho proposed Representation Bill, a.t«d h 0" lieved that the question of the re-distribu-tion of seats would have to bo decided by a commissioner appointed for the purpose.. The financial proposals of Major Atkinson were the best that could possibly o® brought forward, as it was well known that the local subsidies were to p° abolished. He afterwards referred m flattering terms to the Premier and one or two other members of the Governmon , and dwelt at some length on local matters. At the conclusion of the address a unanimous vote of thanks was accorded.