PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1280, 14 June 1884, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Fbid-.t, June 13. The Council met at 2 30. Other business was postponed on account of the political crisis. THE ADDRESS IN REPLY. Hon. Mr McLean resumed the debate on the Address. He strongly advocated .the new Native land policy, which if adopted as proposed in 1877 would have put the North Island in a far better position than it was now. The abuses of the present system were very great, and only big capitalists could buy Native lands. He hoped in the impending election the South would return men pledged 10“ the new system. He laughed at the gloomy fears of some as to the colony’s prospects. The present slight depression was ephemeral, and would soon pass away, and he considered the outlook most encouraging. It would take a very great deal to kill a country like this ; and with ordinary care we had nothing whatever to fear. Captain Fraser spoke, strongly condemning the Federation proposals. The Hon. Mr Waterhouse considered emphatically that the depression was not of the temporary nature the Government thought, but that its effects would be felt for tens of years, and we must recognise that there must be great and radical changes before perm ment prosperity could be established. The depression was due to our having long been living in a fool’s paradise—to the reckless extravagance of many years, which had caused an enormous inflation of land values and ficticious prosperity. Mr Reynolds attributed the depression largely to so many local works being executed from the Public Works Funds. Dr Grace spoke in the highest terms of the administrative services of the Minister of Lands, and supported the perpetual leasing system. After some further remarks the debate was adjourned till Tuesday, and the Council rose at 5 p.m.