MR GEORGE McLEAN AT WAIKOUAITI.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2379, 17 November 1881, Page 3

MR GEORGE McLEAN AT WA IKOUAITI.

[press association tbleoram] WAIEOHAITI, November 17. Mr George McLean addressed a meeting of about 150 electors in the Atheramm Hall, Waikonaiti, last evening. Mr A. Raid (Mayor) occupied the chair, Mr McLean said that Parliament had not been barren, many important measures havirg been passed, although badness had last session been greatly impeded by the discussion on the no-oonfidonoe motions. The only mistake in the electoral franchise was the omission of the leasehold qualifications. His experience convinced him that practically two sessions of each Parliament were wanted, tho first owing to now members having to gain experience, and tho last because the members were so anxious to talk to their constituencies. Though ho had voted for triennial parliaments, because tho public demanded them, ho was of opinion now that it would be better for the term to have been

four years. The Licensing Bill he considered a great measure, as it brought the liijuor traffic under public control, "frit that in somerespects it might be further amended. Efe deprecated the rsotion that She North had anything to fear from the increased representation given to the South. FJhe members for the South would be guided by a feeling of justice to the reet of the colony. He had supported the Chinese Immigration Dill; the object at some had been' to peas so extrema a Bill that it would not reserve the Queen’s assent, and so the question would have been kept open as an election cry. He was glad that a power had been found to put down the stonewalling. He regretted the Government pre-emptive rights in Native land purchase had been abandoned j but ho felt it was right that Government should abandon many partly completed purchases when funds were so low. He justified the Government policy of retrenchment, and said that in the dismissals they had acted with the greatest imparliality. He was a free-trader, and ho reminded those who wreo agitating for protection that we had now a protective tariff, and industries that could not thrive with duties ot 15 and 171 per cent, were not worth having. The Native policy of the Government he considered hod the approbation, with very few exceptions, of everyone in the colony, and the approbation was fully merited. It was probable that the display of force at Parihaka had prevented bloodshed ; its effect on the Maoris must prove salutory, and it had been shown that the volunteers were ot service. The complaints against the Government for not carrying on public works were unreasonable, because the money was not available, and in speaking of agitation for a new railway station at Dunedin, he said that the station in an important town like Auckland was a mere shanty compared with the present one in Dunedin. The towns showed that the loan expenditure had been fairly distributed. Canterbury had not had an equal share, but then it had a large land fund, and did not need it. The original scheme of public works ought to have been carried out before new works were undertaken and the line from Wellington to Napier completed ; but he had not much sympathy with the Wellington people in this matter, because they had preferred and obtained the construction ot the Eoxton line. Now that so much had been expended, the Otago Central should bo made ; but regarding that, people must he a little patient, and wait until there were funds. Mr McLean then announced that through ill-health he was not a candidate for re-election. He had only finally made np his mmd that day, and he had come to this determination with very great regret, but it was only by a great struggle he had held on so long, and it was useless for him longer to take duties he could not fulfil. He had several times been offered a seat in the Upper House, and he might be offered it again, but he would probably have to make a trip for the benefit of hie health. If he did go to the Lords it would only be on condition that he might resign, if he had full return ot health, so as to be able to sit again for Waikouaiti.

A motion expressing deep regret at Mr McLean’s retirement, sympathy with him, and a hope that he would go to the Council, so as to bo of further service to the colony, with a wish that restored health may again enable him to sit for Waikouaiti, was then carried unanimously.