HON. W. P. REEVES AT CHRISCHURCH

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8066, 15 December 1892, Page 2

HON. W. P. REEVES AT CHRISCHURCH

The Minister of Education Addresses

His Constituents.

(Por United Press Association.) CnniBTCHUBOH, Dtcember 15. Tho Hon. W. P. Beeves addressed a crowded meeting of his Christchuroh constituents in the (Theatre Boyal last night. The Mayor presided and the audience gave Mr Keovos (i very tiearty reception, after which ho gave a reiumc of the proceedingi during the tro yearn since the goneral election, claimiog that though the Opposition had ijt that f ime predicted the financial wreck of the 'colony, a total destruction of industrial prosperity, and the repulsion of all foreign and other capital from the colony, nono of these predictions had provod correct, but, on Ihe contlary, there ne»er was a more s&tiafoctory progress made. 'J bis was proved by the banking dopod'ts, which show larger returns during last quarter by between three and four hundred thousand pounds, Tho tide of arrivals from Australia had now set in from there, and tho Government was now being blamed quite as forcibly for tho eicoss of arrivals as they were formerly for the departures. Information relative to these arrivals showed that the majority were men with small capital ready to settlo here. He defended the Labour Bureau against the attacks of the Opposition papers, who alleged that it was promoting socialistic idoas. - The co-operative contraots had proved highly satisfactory, and he hoped a similar reform would be carried out by local governing bodies. Having dealt with the Shop Hours', CTruek, Conciliation, and Arbitration Bills, and their fate in passing the Upper Houaej he gavo a forcible reply to the cry of town versus country, claiming that many leading Opposition members represented the large towns and cities, while \the Liberal Party represented the largest WogMphiool area, of the colony, and he howed that two-thirds of the Government neasures dealt specially with country natters, Hs eulogised the Labour memhen as a, credit to t b.e House and the colony, 'predfoting that thje good work done by those already elected would induce their constituencies to Birad more suoh valuable representatives, who had been found worthy of th 9 greatest confidence, who went to the House, to benefit their fellow I oreditors, and not to satisfy any ambition or gratifying personal vanity. He defended tho appointment of working men as magistrates, on the principle that there was one law for the nob. and' poor alike, and all classes should share in upholding it. Kducated working men were fully capable of administering justice* to ensure continued settlement on the land.' The southern con stituoncios must face the question of roforming the native lands in tho .North Island and private lands in the South. He had secured land for a 1 State farm in the North Island, and hopisd soon to procure one for the South. He' lecommonded the romoval of school inspectors not very infrequently, and ib was thought hopeless that tho Central Department could have entire control of all inspection. He hopod tho Boards would oonsider the removals among themselves, and no solve the difficulty that undoubtedly exists. Speaking briefly of looal government and the liceneiug qußstion, he promised he should speak out plainly at th« general election but reminded the advocatea of prohibition that they should turn part of their attention to tho growing evil iof gambling, whioh was growing moro dangerous than the drink evil, and through which vast sums were sent to Australia. Ho defendod the Govornment action over thePemalo Franchise, throwing tho blame entirely on tho Uppor Ohambor. Ho reviewed tho proceedings of last session, giving particulars of the length ot speeches made tbyaoino members opposed to the Government laib session, Bdven of whom filled 81)0 columns of Hansard. He oompared the present Opposition to the fourth party in the House of Commons, who, it was stated, hod not a principle to nwear by, but hid a Government to »woar at. He concluded by announcing his intion to represent Ohrtstchurch at the meeting ol the next Parliament, or no other constituency. Replying to questions he defended the action of tbo Government of voting £3000 to Sir H. Atkinson's family and £suO to the Mount Magdila Asylum. On the motion ot Mr W. Millar, eeconded by Mr h . Joyce, it was unanimously resolved That the thanks of this meeting bs given for the able address delivered by tho Hon. W. P. Beeves and that an expression of continued confidence in Mm as one of the Christchurch representatives bs recorded.

The Orchestral. Club resume praotico on 11th January.

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