The Globe. FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1878.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1209, 18 January 1878, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1878.

The bon. member for AUnrm, Mr. Montgomery, mot bis constituent® hU Wednesday evening at tbe Town Hall, to give an account of bis acts as their representative in tbo Assembly. He began by referring to tbo task tbo late Ministry had before them—that of laying before tjie colony a creative policy. They had to bring in jjjcaemrep, ho s?aid, calcu-

lilted to lead to the development of the resources of the colony, measures respecting the natives, finance, and education and also to put the finance of the colony on a sound basis, and had they done this well, they would have been entitled to the thanks of the colony. Ho then went on to speak of the measures brought in by them, many of which, he said, would be of very great benefit to the colony at large, He spoke in terms of warm praise of the Education Bill brought in by Mr. Bowen, and of the District Railways Bill —a measure which will, he said, be of great good to the country. But the conduct of Ministers with reference to the Native Lands Bill and Charitable Aid Bill, did not meet with his approval. Then Major Atkinson always over-estimated his revenue, and to make up the deficiency in two years Treasury bills to the amount of it-A3—,000 had been issued. He maintained that by this means our land fund was being taken indirectly, as the province was called upon to pay the interest on these loans. The conduct of the Ministry with reference to Mr. Woolcock’s motion regarding a change in the incidence of taxation was next spoken of, and their rapid conversion to the view that a change was necessary, was brought forward as a proof that such men should not have charge of the finance of the colony. Another thing which shook the confidence of the House in the Government was the “Waka Maori” case. After referring to Mr. Ormond’s attack upon Sir G. Grey. Mr. Montgomery went on to speak of the growth of the Middle party, and the events which led to the formation of the Grey Government. He was of opinion that the want-of-confi-dence. motion, which unseated Major Atkinson, was moved too soon, and before the party was sufficiently strong and consolidated, Had the motion been delayed, he said, the Middle party would have been far stronger, as it was gaining strength every day. However, the motion of want of confidence was carried, and the late Government went out. He quoted the account given by Mr. Curtis, of the events which happened previous to the formation of the Grey Cabinet, and then explained why he did not join it as Treasurer. It was because he could not get a promise that the land fund would be respected. " But, gentlemen, he said, •>' though I could not pledge myself to - join a Ministry which proposed to upset the compact of 1850 and to take the

•• laud fund, was it for your representative •• to go over to the other side to turn out the Ministry and shuffle the cards once “more to see what would turn up? •• Gentlemen, ho did not do so. He stood •• by his party, and declined to vote with •* Major Atkinson, in the hope that the “ new shuffle would turn out better. 1

•• was not going to support ii Ministry •• which had been so disreputable as I have shown you the late Government was. ■■ Therefore, though I opposed the taking •• of the land fund, and do so still. I dc- •• cided to support Sir G. Grey's Gove.ru- •• nimit." Mr. Montgomery then went on to quote some remarks by Sir G, Grey, to prove the honesty of his intention to secure to the provincial districts the laud fund up to December 30th, It may suit Mr Montgomery to hold up Sir G. Grey as a man whose solemn pledge is to be believed, but how was it that he made no reference to his conduct regarding the Laud Bill ? Is Mr. Montgomery satisfied with the explanation Sir G. Grey has .riven of that disgraceful transaction ? However, Mr. Montgomery is opinion that it was a high sense ot justice that induced Sir G. Grey to preserve the land fund to the provinces to December BOth: others, with an equal show of reason, believe that it was because lie could not help himself —it was do that, or go out. But his principal reason for supporting the Grey Cabinet was the belief that Major Atkinson would have seized the laud fund had he come into power, and quoted from a speech ot Mi’. Curtis in proof. Mr. Curtjs stated thiii the Middle party obtained a pledge from Major Atkinson that the whole of the land fund should be taken next session,. Well, it may be so; but a prominent member of the late Cabinet, and a gentleman whose statement lias always received implicit belief—Mr C. C, Bowen—evh deutly did not think so. In hie address to his constituents at Kaiapoi the hou. geiitlegmu said that before the Governincut of which he was a member made any further charge on iii& land fund system the constituencies should bo consulted, and their proposal was not t.c throw the laud fund into the common purse, hut to specialise it for public works and speGjjed purposes. Want of space permits ns refemvg ip this issue to ,tbe latter portion of Mr. Montgomery's gneecsh, ‘