MR. MACANDREW AND HIS CONSTITUENTS.
(per press agency.) Port Chalmers, Friday. Mr. Macandrew addressed a meeting last night ; over 300 were present. He was enthusiastically received, and spoke at considerable length on the following subjects :—lmmigration, public works, education, licensing system, Forest Bills, Otago Harbor Board, and other matters of local importance. In reference to the coming session, he said ; “ Gentlemen, the great weakness of the Colonial Parliament for some years past has been the want of an organised Opposition. I do not know if it is saying too much that under representative institutions there can be no good government for any length of time without an Opposition. Healthy representative government must needs be government.by party. As has been well said, party is the price we pay for liberty. Whether or not there mil be an effective Opposition next session I cannot tell. It is said Sir George Grey has been corresponding with certain members, myself among others, with, this view. All I can say is that there is no truth in the allegation in so far as I am concerned, and that it depends altogether on the policy of the present Government whether I shall be in the cold shade of Opposition or not. Certainly, should the Government insist upon pressing forward the proposed Constitutional changes, without an appeal to the people, I shall be found in the Opposition lobby on every question which affects the existenceof the Ministry.” After stating the necessity which existed for a simple inexpensive federation to take charge of some matters which could be better dealt with unitedly than singly, he continued—“ Gentlemen, if the people of the Xorth Island desire to have all their affairs managed at Wellington, let it be so, provided they will agree to dissolve the partnership, and let us in the Middle Island manage our own affaire, wherever we may see fit. (Applause.) We shall have in this province a large annual revenue coming in from our waste lands and railways—a revenue which, if properly managed, will be sufficient to cover the whole expense of Government, and save us from taxation.” Having replied to several questions, put by electors, in a satisfactory manner, the proceedings terminated with a vote of confidence, carried by acclamation.
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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4470, 17 July 1875, Page 2
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375MR. MACANDREW AND HIS CONSTITUENTS. New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4470, 17 July 1875, Page 2
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