MR GREEN BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2203, 21 May 1896, Page 12

MR GREEN BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Mr James Green addressed a meeting of his constituents a 1 ", the Good Templars' Hnll, Wai- <■; -i (h» '2b* 1 inafc nT Davidson occupied ,i .aii, .uid h r • •: attendance. Mr Greeu doalb at length *.«, v in- mures o> last session, and charged the Government wi.h the great waste of time thab had occurred through refusing to supply necessary returns and refraining from going on with the business of the country till the Treasurer returned from England. A graat deal of unnecessary time was also occupied in considering the tariff, the Government evidently wishing to increase the burden of luxation without letting that fact be known. He also dealt with the administration

of the land law, and maintained thab according to the Minister's own returns his figures wete absolutely incorrect. He al^o said it was only an empty boast that, the Government were supplying settlers with cheap msney, it being an absolute fact within hit own knowledge thab settler* offering good securities, and the same margin that was provided for by the act, could borrow from individuals and monetary institutions on bittor terms than jgsrre offered by the Government. Ho gave his opinion at length on the Local Government Bill 'and the Fair Kent Bill, announcing his inten-' tion of supporting the latter if it really was two-Bided aud made provision for the raising as well as the lowering of rentals at fixed periods by a competent court, which must be absolutely non-political in its composition. The views of the speaker were received with hearty applause, and at the close of his addroßß a motiou of tlmiks Mid conadenc?, proposed by Mr M'Connell and seconded by Mr Kay, was carried by acolamtttion. Mr Green, in acknowledging the vote, %nnounoed his intention of offering himself for re-election.

Mr James Green addressed his constituents at Seacliff on Thursday evening, when, despite the miserable night, there was a large attend* ance, including a number of ladies. He ditcu'sed the legislation of the past two sessions, aud gave his reasons for supporting some of the bills and opposing others. He particularly approved of and. gave warm support to the School Teachers' Appeal Bill, and thought that theprinoiple of the measure- might with advantage bf f-x'ent^ed to other d--p*i"tun*ntß of the public cci vie*. Seeing thi- the teaohers of the colony, the telegraph and postal offices, and the railways were entitled to bring their grievances before a non-political board, he could see no valid objection to all Government employees being allowed to organise and bring individual eases before an appeal court, so long as the executive of the organisation to which the appellant belonged first satisfied themselves that injustice had beea perpetrated or a man wrongfully dismissed. He could nob for the life of him see why the principle should nob be extendedb o bhe staffs of our lunatic asylums. He dealt with the prft» sent administration of the Laud department, and showed tnafc the figure and statements of the Minister were at varianre with those of the officers of his department. He also declared * thab favouritism was shown to persons whos3 I political hue was of the "right colour," whilst those of an opposite colour were dealt with somewhat harshly. On bhe motion ef Me Whitelaw, seconded by Mr M'Cubbin, a vote of thanks to, and continued confidence in, Mr | Green was- carried by acclamation, only one j person dia* enting. Mr William Campbell occupied the chair.