POST-SESSIONAL UTTERANCES.

Evening Star, Issue 3988, 6 December 1875, Page 2

POST-SESSIONAL UTTERANCES.

MR M'LEAN AT WAIKOUAITI.

Mr George M'Lean addressed a largo meeting of his constituents at Waikouaiti on Friday niglit, Mr J. Smith (Mayor) acted as chairman. Mr M'Lean gavo u long: and exhaustive speech ; entering’ minutely into the details of abolition and proposed local self-government and the disposal of the laud fund. He would only support abolition on the Government sticking to those proposals. Though an old Separatisms!, he did not now consider it advisable, on financial grounds, becaus 2 the North Island, that could not pay interest on her debt, would fall back on tne South to bear the burden of both principal and interest. He criticised Sir George ’Grey’s present cry on the privileges and liberties of the people, and referred to the past to show that when Governor he trampled on the liberties of the people and ruled ns a despot. He was anxious that abolition should be submitted to the country first, but he saw that affairs necessi tated the Bill being dealt with at once. Referring to leasing tne runs, he said ho did not approve of fixed tenure : he thought that the best plan was as at present—to take runs at a year’s notice, without compensation, and to put them up for sale in small lots. He instanced the good results of the sale of the Hampden Hundreds. He did not approve of Grown tenants being in the Legislative Council; but as there were many good men in that class, he thought it only needed care in putting such there. Mr M'Lean replied to several questions. Mr John Duncan proposed a vote of thanks to Mr M'Lean for his practical, business-like speech and past services in the Assembly, and that this meeting is of opinion that Mr M'Lean is a fit representative in the next Parliament, which was carried unanimously. The meeting lasted over three hours, aud the speaker was frequently applauded. MR WEBB AT LYTTELTON. Mr H. R. Webb addressed the electors of Lyttelton on Saturday night. He explained his action in supporting the abolition Bill, and said the local Government Bill provided ample means for local government. He was in favor of the runs being let on valuation to existing tenants when the present leases expired. He advocated free aud compulsory education, opposed manhood suffragu, aud defended the action of the Government in re the Fiako Swamp sale. A vote of thanks was passed for his address.