ADDRESSES TO CONSTITUENTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1601, 7 April 1879, Page 3

ADDRESSES TO CONSTITUENTS.

MR SEYMOUR AT BLENHEIM.

[Press Special Wire.] Blenheim, April 5

Mr Seymour, member for Wairau, held a meeting last evening. The attendance was fair though the hall was not quite filled. The speaker was well received. He gave a resume of the proceedings of last session, and criticised the measures of the Government, especially the reduction of duties on the necessaries of life, which he ridicules as being too paltry. He explained the action he had taken on the education question and the support he gave to Mr Curtis' Bill, which, he said, was not a denominational one. He characterised the career of the Government as consisting of broken promises, measures dropped, and hopes unfulfilled. He explained that in joining the Nelson members in reference to the railway line, he had done so because they had previously helped him, and the main line was set down in the Act of 1873 as being from Nelson to Christchurch by the West Caast. He characterised the land tax as unfair, and injuriously affecting an important industry. The Sheep Bill he considered worked harshly, especially if the heavy fines under it were enforced. The taxation of leasees of the Crown land he considered especially unfair. He considered he had been very unfairly attacked by the local organ, which supported the Grey Government. The questions of hospital and charitable aid had been greatly neglected by the present administration and their position with regard to Native affairs he thought was moßt unsatisfaGtory. A variety of other topics were referred to a T 'd treated from the Opposition point of view. The speaker concluded by an assurance that he had endeavored to serve them with singleness of heart and honesty of purpose. After some questions had been answered, Mr Redwood proposed the following resolution :—" That the thanks of this meeting be given to Mr Seymour for his address and for his action in Parliament last session." The resolution was carried.