The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, DEC. 20, 1884. The Member for Rangitikei

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 82, 20 December 1884, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, DEC. 20, 1884. The Member for Rangitikei

Mr Bruce, M.H.E., addressed a meeting of his constituents at Marton on Wednesday night last. In the able and comprehensive report of the Advocate of his speech we receive a clear statement of his actions, and the reasons which led to them, during the past session. Mr Bruce appears to have a prescience of what may soon become the great party question in the Colony — Free Trade v. Protection — and has announced himself as the uncompromising opponent of the latter. He exonerates members from the unjust charges made against them, and the leaders of parties of intriguing, and said that he saw none of it. He was never even approached for his vote, by either side of the House. Neither Major Atkinson nor Mr Stout would stoop to intrigue. When it was proposed to abolish Hansard, he opposed it as Hansard is a necessary standard of reference as a protection to members against the reports of the debates in certain biased newspapers, | and it also gives the constituents a very fair report of the sayings and doings of their representatives. He explained why he supported the District Railways Purchasing and Leasing Bill — as it removed an evil which was a disgrace and scandal to the Colony. Although he supported the railway from Canterbury to the West Coast, he had two objections to it. Firstly, he thought its construction premature, and secondly, he would have preferred the Government to have borrowed the money and constructed the line, instead of it being made by a syndicate, which is to receive in land half the cost of its construction. He supported the Westport and Greymouth Harbor Bills, by which these districts were empowered to borrow money for improving their harbors. But here again he would have preferred to see the Government borrow the money and do the work, for after all, the Colony is liable for all these sums. As regards the Central Line of the North Island, he did all the good in his power. He voted against the second reading of the Wanganui Harbor Bill because he thought it unfair to the country districts. It gave five representatives to the town and three to the country. The rateable value of the property in the town was £571,596, whilst that in the country was £1,404,328, and notwithstanding that, it was proposed to give the town representation almost two to one. It was entirely owing to him that the Bangitikei County was not included. He doee not consider that the present educational system is likely to be interfered with. Of the present Ministry he said : — " Now, in regard to the present Government and my attitude towards it, I believe that, taken as a whole, it is an able and patriotic Government — in fact, no Government could be called weak which contained Sir Julius Vogel. I have been very much struck with the extraordinary capacity of this man, and I believe that, whether his policy is right or wrong, he has the welfare of the country at heart. He is also a man of a most generous nature, and, although he has been very personal in some of the debates, it must be remembered as an excuse that he is suffering from a disease which often causes excruciating pain. Mr Stout is also a very able and patriotic man, and those who know him best say that he is a man of unquestionable integrity. Mr Tole, the Minister of Justice, is a clever, genial, and an industrious young Minister ; and Mr Richardson is thought by many to be a man of capacity. Mr Ballance is a Minister of great industry, who has already given indications of ability to hold the portfolio of Native Minister. He takes office, it must be remembered, under very exceptional circumstances, following as he does a predecessor who has not only been the best Native Minister the Colony has ever possessed, but, in every sense of the word, one of her best men. Mr Ballance has already handsomely acknowledged in the House his indebtedness to Mr Bryce for the ease, if I may put it in that way, wh >.ch lie finds in managing the Native Office. Mr Ballance has at this time, in connection with the lands along the Central line, a very delicate task to perform, and he should not merely be treated with charity, but receive the moral support of all who have the welfare of the Colony at heart." Mr Bruce's reason for not being a pronounced Government supporter is that its policy is that of Vogel and will be so lung as he has a seat in the Cabinet. But suppose he is not there next session, then the policy of the Government would be that of Stout, whereas he would ally Lirnself with Atkinson as opposed to Stout or Grea. Vogel and Atkinson were i natural allies. Mr Bruce concluded I his address by alluding to the question I of Federating, and received an unanimous vote of thanks and confidence.