Wairarapa Standard Published Tri-weekly, Price 1d. FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1886. Mr Ormond’s Speech.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1818, 9 April 1886, Page 2

Wairarapa Standard Published Tri-weekly, Price Id. FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1886. Mr Ormond’s Speech.

Thi speech recently delivered by Mr Ormond to his.oonstilaents at Napier is tbs most powerful attack which has been made upon the present Government by any member of Parliament during the recess. Had Mr Ormond desired it, he might on more than one occasion have himself formed a Ministry, and in any future change of Government, be is very likely to come to the front. Meantime, Mr Ormond ia in determined opposition to the present Ministry, and attacks both the men and their measures in a most trenchant and telling fashion. In his recent speech Mr Ormond, referring to the Financial Statement of (last session) said “ that the Statement at once convinced the House that the Government did not intend to carry out the principles they advocated. He considered that Mr Stout, by his action since ho became the head of the present Government, had forfeited all right of the leadership of the Liberal party in New Zealand. He referred to Mr Stout’s lectures all over the colony about a free breakfast table, yet he had not only relieved the monied classes by diverting the sinking fund to reduce the property tax, but had also brought down an iniquitous Customs Tariff, which would have pressed heavily on every working man in the colony. Although the Government were repeatedly told they had no chance of passing their tariff, they insisted on bringing down their proposals ; but several Liberal members like Mr Montgomery absolutely refased to be dragged in the dust by Sir Julius Vogel, and distinctly declined to follow the Government. On that occasion the Government should have undoubtedly resigned office and made way (or better men, and it was generally agreed by all leading public men that in keeping in office after the rejection of their policy, they were occupying a miserable and contemptible position.” Then Mr Ormond declared .that no one could form any idea as to what would be the policy of the Government during the ensuing session, as each Minister bad put forth a different set of views. Certainly, this is true enough, and the position is both confusing and puzzling. Sir Julius Vogel is to fpftlrfl a speech at Wellington on the 20th instant on the political situation, and if he sticks to his previously expressed views, the fact will be made plain that his policy is entirely different from that recently set forth by the Premier in his speech at Invercargill. This, however, is a digression, and we must now return to Mr Ormond’s speech. Mr Ormond “ ridiculed the idea of Ministers getting a during the present recess, and said that Bir Julius Vogel’s big speech some time back was merely to feel the pulse of the people of New Zealand, and it was ultimately found that the colony would have nothing to do with such reckless proposals as bad been made by Sir Julius Vogel. If snob proposals were.carried the colony would shortly be flooded with unemployed from other colonies, and a period of disaster would ensue, which would irretrievably injure the colony. Sir Julius Vogel had promised railways to the people in every conceivable part of New Zealand, and all were (o be carefully ear-marked. He (Mr Ormond) hoped to see the works continued which were valuable to the country, and he would be in fwor of borrowing to that extent and no further. He understood that proposal* were to be. made by the Government during next session to increase the Customs duties, and ha would follow the same course be had adopted last y tar in opposing any addition to taxation on necessaries of life, unless it was shown to be

absolutely necessary for revenue purposes.” The views thus expressed by Mr Ormond are distinguished by prudence, caution and strong common sense. A large and powerful party in Parliament will support similar views during the ensuing session, and it is not likely that the rash and extravagant ideas of Bir Julins Vogel have much chance of being carried out.