The Hon. John McKenzie in Defence.

Southland Times, Issue 11751, 2 June 1891, Page 2

The Hon. John McKenzie in Defence.

(By Telegraph.)

Palmerston Sodth, June 1

A meeting convened by the Hon. J. McKenzie in order that he might reply to certain accusations made against hia administration by Mr Spence ex-Commissioner of Crown Lands in Southland, was held in the Town Hall this evening and was largely attended. The Minister for Lands began by referring to the proposed legislation for the ensuing session. Ministers had during the four months they had been in office reduced the public expenditure by between L 50.000 and L 60.000. They had in each instance acted in concert and would be prepared to answer to Parliament and ask t>>e House to confirm what they had done in this direction and if they were defeated the electors would have a voice in the matter before it was finally settled. The policy of the Government was "No borrowing "—to live within their means and to rely on their own resources. They believed that if such a policy were carried out for a few years they would have such confidence restored as would bring about progress and prosperity throughout New Zealand. Ministers had determined to reduce postage throughout the colony ; to make an honest endeavour to reform the Legislative Council by iimiting the time which members could retain their seats, and to amend the electoral laws by properly purging the rolls. Measures dealing with labour and capital would also be introduced, but they would not be of a revolutionary character, nor would they contain any fireworks. These measures, while preserving rights of labour, would give fair play to capital. A land bill would be introduced, one provision of which would put a stop to dummyisin by making any breaches or evasions of the Act, a mis-demeanour punishable by imprisonment only. The speaker next defended Mr Ritchie's appointment a3 Chief of the Stock Department, baying that no more pure and honest appointment had ever been made to the civil service of the colony. Mr Spence's charges were answered at length. The Minister said that repeated complaints were made concerning that gentleman's administration of the Lands Department in Southland, and after a personal enquiry as to the way in which the forest reserves were being dealt with he had, J in the interest of the colony and as an act of kindnes3 to Mr Spence himself, ordered his removal from the place where he had been so many years to Westlaud, at the same salary »a he had been drawing hitherto. Mr Spence preferred to retire from the service, and asked £1180 retiring allowance, claiming not only payment for the time he was under the general Government but under the Provincial Government also, as well as six months' leave of absence on full pay. The Cabinet, however, only agreed to grant him £SW, which was far more than he was legally entitled to, so that Mr Spence spoke as a disappointed man. As to Mr Mussen's transference to Canterbury, he was sixty years of age, and therefore too old to combine the duties of Crown lands officer and special ranger for the Southland forests. Mr Duncan Campbell, who had been appointed to the dual post, had previously occupied the position of ranger there, but had been dismissed by the late Government for doing his duty too faithfully. It had been charged against him (the Minister) by Mr Spence that he had transferred Mr Mussen to Canterbury in order to make a billet for Mr Campbell, but to disprove that he need only mention that at the very time the appointment was made the rangership in Canterbury was vacant. He also denied that he had left the Land Office in Invercargill with an inadequate staff, and gave figures in support of his assertion. In conclusion, the Minister asked the meeting to decide between himself and his accuser. ( Loud applause). Mr Murcott moved, and it was carried ntm con " that this meeting has every confidence in the Hon. Johu McKenzie, Minister of Lands, as our representative and in the Government, of which he ia a member, and that the actions of the present Government since ie came into office are fully approved . of by the Waitaki constituency, and merits , the wnfitarco ol the country »t togt,"