HON. MS ROLLESTON AT RICCARTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2303, 21 April 1898, Page 8

HON. MS ROLLESTON AT RICCARTON.

Christchtjkch, April 14. The Hon. W. Kolliston, M.H.R. for Riccarton, acting leader of the Opposition, addressed his constituents this evening. He criticised the action o? the Government ia Parliament, p.ad more particulerly iha conduct of tbs Premier in endeavouring to pack committees ia the House S and boycotting certain members. The Ptemier j had set at defiance the decisions of the House, I and had made tha Legislative ofneeis and Hanj sard reporters subservient to the Government. I Ho objected to the Premier claiming the right ! of a dissolution, when such power only rested with ihe Crown. Personally lie saw no reason for a dissolution. Mr Saddon aud his party were bacocaing daily more obnoxious to fcbe country, and tea party to which he (Mv B.^lleslon) belonged was becoming stronger, and I would soon assetfc itself. The Prooiior had kad I v/arning in Wellington that tha people would ! elflci; who they iitied, and iios the nominee of the Government. The Premier was getting inbo bad odour in the country by hia autocratic actions and the mauner ia which he ignored the will of Parliament aad the people. The Premier had no right to havo tho parliamentary building improved to tha extent cf £40,000 when only £7000 was voted for a new parliamentary library. Mr Hutcheson had s&id the civil service was being demoralised arsd undermined by the Government. Messrs Seddon and M'Kenzio had beea goiujj about the country I talking a lot of nonsense, bat ware careful not to j go to Dunedin or Christchurel;, bnt chose small places like Milton and Clubfca. Tbe tirade* made against the Opposition had no truth in them. He denied that his party had displayed a spirit of opposition in the House, and quoted Mr Hutcheson to show that the Government invited delay because it was not ready with policy measures. He condemned Ministers holding asats on syndicates, and Parliament had ! aofe yet heard the last of it, and he hoped the 1 House would declare against it. He was not j aiitisfied v?ibh the present constitution of the ; Upper House, and thought a reform would 1 come in the shape of an election by the Hare system on a basis adopted in America for the Senate. Aa to Bushy Park Mr M'Kenzie had wob his election on his promise to have ib cub up, aad yet it was sold to one of hi 3 sons &nd not a ; sixpence of the purchase money had yet been J paid. He considered the affair a blunder — j worse than a crime. The present Land foe Settlements Bill properly adminietered was in the public interests, bub required modifications in the shape of leaseholds and freeholds being j mixed in future lands taken, which would pre- | vent a lob of impecunious people getting together. The Advances to Settlers' Board was more or less of n political nature, and had been subject to abuses. Ho objected to Mr Seddon posing as champion of labour while the Government had simply been playing with labour bills, and did not mean to pa3B them. After dealing with a number of matters, Mr Rollestou concluded by declaring that tha policy of his party when in power would be one of fair play to its | institutions. They rnuso insist oa the parliamentary machine being properly worked. They must have a policy of truthfulness and honesty instead of a system of looting, which had become synonymous with Liberalism. Labour legislation must run concurrently with the needs of tbe industrial classes, bub must not be elevated to a party cry. There could be no standing still in land settlement, which must go ou. There musb be advance in the matter of education. Mr Eolleston received a vote of thanks and confidence by acclamation.