THE Grey River Argus. THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1867.

Grey River Argus, Volume III, Issue 200, 25 April 1867, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1867.

I—rrm^=-rT=======:^======.1 — rrm^=-rT=======:^======. J Mk Mookiiouse, as member of the * House of Representatives for the district of Westland, has been addressing c his constituents at Hokitika. His speech, which is as interesting a^ most 1 utterances of the kind, is too long for £ our limited space, and a review of it ' will perhaps be as acceptable to pur i readers. Mr Moorhouse took a com- 1 prehensive retrospective view of the * various great questions that have arisen. s -during the last few years, and afforded t some insight of the probable future > changes. He sketched the history of c the unfortunate policy that plunged the * colon)' iuto \yar, and took credit to him- ' self for having at Jjhp outset opposed it, i and predicted its Jfc£fcr failure and the i financial mi.sfoi*fcvi«s iv which Jkbat <

spinions on that question during his < candidature for the Superintendency I sb year, now ayows himself a supporter of the Otagp resolutions in favor of a financial division of the colony apd the i .-engthening of the provinces.. It appears somewhat incompatible that with such opinions he should declare his mfc ntion to support the Stafford Ministry — the policy of which has hitherto been indicative of a decidedly opposite course to that proposed by the. Otago resolutions.. Mr Moorhouse very rightly deplores the constant Ministerial changes which have taken place in New Zealand, and undoubted his opinion is correct that they tend to injure the political status pf the colony, and lower its rcputatiou at home. Whilst promising a loyaj support to the present Executive, the Lou, member not the less promises that "should lie find that redress is denied to the Middle Island he will ally himself with those wl Q will be able to create an administration from whom that redress may be expected." Mr Moorhouse's views as to the settlement of the Native difficulty arc intelligible and to the purpose, and may be thus summed vp — let the North Island alone, let it govern its own police and pay them solely, and remove from the Middle Island the gnus of supporting the war. He does not make this policy a " sine qua non" of his support to Mr Stafford's Ministry, but lie is prepared to accept any policy that embraces the bcal application of the doctrine of selfreliance. O:i the subject of taxation Mr Moorhpusp liopes to see the Stamp Act repealed shortly — a prospect, we fear, not likely to be realised, and pledges himself to unite with those who desire to see the expenditure of the General Government reduced. With regard to the enlargement of the Eepresentatipn of Westland, Mr Moorhouse informs us that, although unable to carry his bill last sessipn, he obtained a promise from Mr Stafford that the Government would introduce a bill for increasing the representation of Westland early in the ensuing session, so that the members to be ejected under it could be able tp take their seats immediately, Mr Moorhouse will support a subsidy for mail communication via Sues if the finances of the colony will allow of it — which of course means that there is no chance of anything of the kind, The arrangement proposed by the Postal Conference may however ultimately be adopted. The amendment of the laws relating to insolvency, and the apprehension of absconding debtors, are mattor-s which the lion, member promises his attention in Parliament. It is singular that Mr Moorhouse has left his constituents in the dark regarding the great question of " Centralisation v. Provincialism" — excepting that -he stiya he will support the Qtagp Resolutions, the principle of which is the enlargement and consolida- f tipn pf Provincial powers, and a cprres-' ponding reduction of those pf those of the General Government and Assembly. Mr Stafford is pledged to bring tins question to an issue this next session, and it is pretty well known what his views are. The Government propose to establish a system of Municipal Government all over the Colony, and secure to each district a certain share of its land revenue. This measure, doubtless, foreshadows the abolishment of Provincial Governments, against which a strong stand will l.c taken -in the House. We confess we are disappointed that Mr Moorhouse said so little on this question. Turning fron colonial to local topics, Mr Moorhouse expressed himself conii ftently regarding the future of tlie district. His visits to Westland had enabled him to form a correct idea of the requirements of the country, and ■ he believed the Government would be , able satisfactorily to carry out the work ; of development. A network of roads j and tracks would be at once thrown . over the country, and every effort be j made to promote the settlement of the ( population. He reiterated that the ( Government would not favor lai-ge sub- . sidies to towns, which must for the -| future depend chiefly upon themselves. Ho As r as silent on the land question, as he had referred it to the superior wis- , :lom of the Commission, and he hoped to have it's report on " how can the land be .sold and settled without dis- | turbing the digger'?" bofore he went back to Christchurch. i