MR REID, M.H.R., AT TAIERI,

West Coast Times, Issue 2848, 20 May 1878, Page 2

MR REID, M.H.R., AT TAIERI,

maintained that he was as respectable, and ' as much respected, as the most popular ' members of the present Ministry. A belief was pot abroad that be had sacrificed hjs principles for power or peace. He did not believe in party Government without principles , and held that a system of party Government being initiated in this colony by Mr Stout and others, would have a most injurious effect upon politics. Some of the resolutions passed by the Dunedin Convention were exceedingly injudicious. On reading Mr Macandrew's address thereat, by the light of subsequent events, the whole thing must have been very greatfiasco. There waa not a doubt that Sir George Grey's aims when he entered polittical lite, was to prevent abolition, but he also wished to get the land fund of the Middle Island, for it had been his programme in every address which be had hitherto delivered. The men around Sir George Grey, who had aided him in his object, were but minnows in his hands, and Sir George Grey having accomplished his object, was no doubt the most popular man in Auckland, The Opposition opposed to the late Government waa unconstitutionally and dishonestly conducted. The then

Opposition had no policj and no principle and when they came into power had to adopt the policy of the previous Govern ment. It was dishonestly conducted, because an attempt was mad c to undermine the private character of members of the late Government by insinuations and assertions, which it was impossible to refute. The Piako Swamp and Waiho laud transactions were next commented upon, and the Speaker proceeded to say that the supporters of the Grey party when in Opposition last year, wasted the time of the country purposely and deliberately in needless talk. Referring to the policy of the present Government as indicated by the speeches of Sir George Grey and Colonel Whit more, he said the Government had two policies, one a demagogue and the other a conservative policy. He pointed out that notwithstanding what had been said against the financial proposals and bills of the lute Government, ihe present onu adopted them when the Government got into power. The cousolidatiou of the land fund was referred to next, and he said that if he had sworn to protect the Otago land fund the same as others had done, he would have retired at onco, and for ever from political life rather than consent to the passing of the measure. Sir George Grey had said that the interests of the Colony would be sacrificed by the Waste Lands Board. If it were so, it would be the fault of the minsters who has charge of the Act. If Sir George Grey believed that this Bill was a fraud on the entire people and New Zealand as he stated in Dunedin. he should have endeayored to do everything to prevent its being carried into law and not have waited till it had passed, and seek the Government to disallow it. He would like to see the Parliameut of New Zealand occupy a high standard, but he did not like the present political arena and considered the tone of the debates had deterteviorated iv a remarkable extent, since Sir George Grey's advent to Parliament.

A motion expressing regret at Mr Reid's resignation, and strongly urging him to reconsider his intention, was carried unanimously.