MR REES, M.H.R.

Otago Witness, Issue 1230, 17 July 1875, Page 6

MR REES, M.H.R.

[by telegraph.]

(*aOSI OUR SPECIAL *boRRESFO^*DENT.)

Auckland, July 9th. Mr Eees, a barrister, Sir Julius VogePs natural enemy, addressed the electors of City East, his Provincial constituency, and Air Vogel's for the Assembly, last night. He condemned the General Government in no measured terms, stated that the extras allowed Messrs Brogden and Sons on the AucklandMercer railway were enormous, and contended that another five millions, in addition to the four last negotiated, would be required to complete the railways already authorised. He endevoured to show that the reductions for interest, per-centages, &c. would reduce the last loan' to such an extent that only three millions out of the four would be available for expenditure on works. He said everything was sseptw £ ept into the gigantic system of borrowing. •<' -Even the Savings Bank deposits were 'invested in Colonial debts, and depositors demanding their money now could not get it. Here one notoriously rich miser, known to have considerable deposits, <rot up excitedly and left the hall, as if intending to hunt up a Savings Bank Clerk forthwith. Mr Kees proceeded to show how the colonial credit, once good, had been ruined by the Government policy. That the committee of the Stock Exchange refused to quote the last loan, and that it had been brought under the investigation of the House of Commons Committee ap. pointed to institute an enquiry into foreign loans connected with which there had been doubtful or discreditable dealings. He said the General Government had been driven to the recent antagonism to Provindalism, not from principle, but because it was hard up, and that grinding taxation must oome. A vote of confidence was passed.