SIR DAVID MONRO AT WAIMEA. WEST.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 18, 21 January 1871, Page 2

SIR DAVID MONRO AT WAIMEA. WEST.

Sir David Monro addressed a large meeting of the electors at Waimea West Inst night, Mr. tfJlundell in the chair. The address, which was a recapitulation of that delivered at Motueka, was received with loud and repeated applause. At the conclusion of it, Mr. Arnold asked Sir David whether he approved of the present Ministry, and if lie should give them his support. Sir David Monro said some of the members of the present Ministry he believed to be very good men, and well fitted for their offices, but he doubted if it possessed much coherence, acd did not think the members of it would agree together for any length of time. But his support or otherwise would depend, not so much on the personel of the Government, as on the measures they introduced. With regard to the principal one of these measures, he had already expressed a very decided opinion, and it was scarcely necessary for him to say, that he would offer it every opposition iv his power. When the applause with which this statement was received had subsided, Mr. George, Bell, asked Sir David his opinion with reference to the volunteer movement, as he believed it to be oue on which much Government money was spent, while a large number of the volunteers were not even able to right about face. Sis D. Monro thought that perhaps volunteering was not carried on here ss efficiently as it might be, but there were many difficulties in the way. There was no knowing when we might be called upon to defend ourselves ; and it was not at all a bad thing that young men should learn to handle a rifle, and to shoot straight. With regard to their not being able to face to the right about, this might prove rather an advantage when they had the enemy before them. Mr. Redwood wished to state his opiuion that the electors of the district ought to feel proud of such a candidate as now offered himself, as a man of such long experieuce, and so great ability as Sir David Monro would necessarily have much more weight aud influence in the House than any other member they could elect. Mr. W. Bell moved, That this meeting, while thanking Sir David Monro for his able and interesting address, desires to express its opinion (hat he is a fit and proper persou to represent the district in the General Assembly. The resolution was carried unaminously amid great applause. Sir David Monro desired to thank those present for the kindly feeling expressed towards him, and hoped that the electors would not neglect to present themselves at the polling booth on the day of election, as although, after the favorable reception he had met with everywhere, he bad no doubt as to the result of the election, still it was never safe to under-rate an opponent. . , A vote of thanks was theu passed to the chairman, and the meefeing separated.