MR CUTHIE'S ADDRESS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVIIII, Issue 12247, 25 March 1897, Page 2

MR CUTHIE'S ADDRESS.

Ma Dux'kib is to be complimented npon the attendance at bis meeting on Wednesday night. It' Is the dead ssason in politics, when neither the Premier himself noc tha leader of the Opposition could reckon npon speaking to a full honse, eo that the numbers who turned out to hear Mr Duthie must be looked npon as affording a distinct tribnte to the prominent position be occupies in the colonial political field. Mr Duthie is not now a jnember of Parliament, and he is not, and qpver was, in any sense an orator ; bat he jis reoog^ise^ *b & master of faots, a long-headed business man, and ae one of the belt financial authorities in the colony. His clear exposition of our financial position on Tuesday nigft was much wanted, and. it served to show not merely the way in which Mr Ward deliberately abused his position as Troasnrer to tiie disadvantage of the oolony, but also the bepejegs ignorance of the present Treasurer, Mr Seddon, §o | long as £ European war is staved ott, and it contraction of tbe popey matket does

not aet in at Home, so- long may we be able tb shuffla along; bnt any dieturbnncs of tbe nature we have indicated would be followed by consequences to us of the most serious description. Mr Dnthie's address was of a kind to make people think, and if it only doeß that it will have served a useful purpose. Mora of each speeches are wanted from men of knowledge and experience. And in this direction we commend Mr Dnthie's advice ts.the leaders of the Opposition, It is impossible that the people shonld learn the truth, unless they are taught )> by word of month from thoso who know. Newspapers, with scrappy lessons, may do something, but they wilt never do away with ths tecessity for the publio phtferm, nor interest a large class of psop'.e half bo muoh as a capable speaker.