New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4915, 22 December 1876, Page 2

New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22.

A very full report of Mr. Donald Reid’s recent speech to his constituents is given in the Otago Daily Times of the fifteenth instant. We much regret that the space at our disposal is not sufficient to permit our reprinting his speech in extenso in these columns. It is eminently straightforward and sensible, and whilst quite free from party bias, having no leanings towards the present Ministry, is yet in its honesty and candor the severest blow the Opposition have received. Mr. Reid gave a complete account of his conduct during last session, and expressed himself perfectly willing to resign his seat if his constituents were not satisfied after hearingthat account. A unanimous vote of confidence was passed in him, which came, it is satisfactory to note, not only from those who had been his consistent supporters in the past* bat from many who had hitherto been opposed to him. A furious onslaught on Mr. Reid has since been made in the Otago Guardian, but has not in the least affected his position. Of course, the onslaught arose from the fact that Mr. Reid was honest enough to confess that after going as far as any rightminded and sensible man could with Sir George Grey and his followers last session, he felt compelled at last to aban- , don them, because the only policy they had to offer was that of obstruction to the public business, and an utter recklessness of the interests of the country. In giving the reasons which compelled him to abandon the leadership of Sir George Grey, Mr. Reid let a good deal of light into dark places, and placed the secret machinations of the Opposition plainly before his hearers, with the result of showing how utterly selfish and regardless of the public good they were. Mr. Reid defended the Canterbury members from the base aspersion cast upon them by Sir George Grey, and showed that the only disgraceful overtures to purchase their votes came from the Opposition leaders, at the time the question of renewing the pastoral licenses was on the tapis. Said Mr. Reid— I wish to tell you here, in regard to these licenses, that the matter came up while the question of abolition was under consideration. When the separation resolutions—as they were called—came up; but they were not separation resolutions at all, they were federation resolutions—the party with which I have been acting interrupted business in order to get delay, and when I asked why there should be delay I was told that this was made a lever with which to move votes. I scorn such an argument as that. lam glad to say that the Canterbury members, though I differed from them upon many political questions, were actuated by far higher motives than that, and they, in their turn, declined to have the licenses extended to them upon such terms. I have heard so much and so many statements in regard to these runs that sometimes I have really felt very much put out to find such statements brought forward. I put it to one member, who is a prominent member of the Opposition, “ Why take this action? Why do you not deal with this matter upon its merits ? You are far more likely to get upright, honorable, and straightforward men with you.” I pointed out that people who had nothing to do with politics might be ruined, because I knew as a fact that the Loan Companies, when they found action was being taken in regard to runs which were heavily mortgaged, as gome of them were, issued instructions that no renewal was to take place—that the money was to be called up at the beginning of the year. What must the position of these men be? Not only would public companies refuse to renew the mortgages, but private Individuals would be afraid to do so. and the properties would be sacrificed and the holders turned out ruined men. When 1 put this argument to that member of the Opposition, he said, ‘‘Do what Samson did. He pulled down the pillars of the temple, and he and his enemies were all smothered together." That is outside conversation; still it shows the careless and rash feeling which actuated members in dealing with this question.

That was a nice expression to come from a member of the patriotic Opposition. To be content to ruin themselves so long as they could involve the rest of the State in a common ruin. Mr. Reid admitted that at the last general election the people had fairly answered the question of abolition against the Opposition ; but whilst there was hope for getting any modification of the Government proposals such as would suit the Provincialists, he opposed abolition ; and it was only when his leaders desired to resort to the basest tactics that he was compelled to leave them. What these tactics were we let Mr. Reid tell himself as follows : It was getting well on In the session when Sir George Grey’s Federation resolutions were disposed of. I was then really in hopes that we would get through some work. There were important measures to be passed, and I was desirous of getting to the work of the country. I saw no good to be gained by obstruction or delay. But to my great surprise and regret, I found that Sir George Grey, as well as some members of his party, were desirous of delaying the business. I could not find out what object was to be gained by it. Ido not think lam betraying any confidence in referring to a meeting called about this time by Sir George Grey, or by the member acting for him as whip. Although I recognised that all ties which bound mo to the Opposition as constituted in 1875 under Sir George Grey's leadership were broken when the question of abolition was disposed of, I still thought it my duty to attend the meeting and it possible to work with tlie party, because he did not know but that something might occur which would enable ns to modify the whole policy and to get some modification of abolition. I attended the meeting. Sir George Grey was in the chair, and of course 1 expected him to explain what action he intended to take. He did that, and to my surprise it consisted of this: In the first place he expressed a hope that the party would still keep together, andcertainly I thought that would be very desirable if there was anything to keep together for. In the second place, he said he had some questionable land transactions to bring up, and ho Intended to move for a select committee to enquire into them. In the third place, he desired that we should oppose the Estimates. Now, it would be a very easy matter to waste time for a whole twelvemonths in opposing the Estimates, but was that a programme to put before a party? My soul sank within mo when I heard such proposition. I felt that we were humiliated indeed when that was the only thing to keep us together and to work for. I Immediately rose and reminded Sir George Grey and those present that when the party was formed in 1875, the only question we formed upon was to prevent abolition. Although I became a member of the patty to prevent abolition, I foresaw that there were many matters between the Auckland members and myself upon which we could not be united. As to asking for a committee to inquire Into land transactions, I told Sir George Grey that I thought there had been quite sufficient committees inquiring into these transactions, and that if the statements made in regard to them were true, a Court of Justice was the proper place to inquire into them. As regarded talking against time, I said it would only bring ignominy and disgrace upon any party which would take such action as a party, unless tor a well-defined and feasible object, and I would never otherwise consent to it. Having made that explanation, I said that perhaps 1 had better retire. However, the party said there was no use In doing that, and that I might remain. A general conversation then took place, and I never went to any more meetings of .the Opposition:I told the members of the Opposition that whenever any question came up affecting the alteration of the Constitution, I would act with them—that I was not a changeable man, and they might always know that my vote would be there on such occasions.

Mr. Reid in his speech justified his support of the second reading of the Counties Bill, and in doing so made a strong point against Sir George Grey.' He showed that whilst that gentleman, an ardent provincialist, declaimed' against cumulative voting, it was a fact that, with the exception of Nelson, the Provincial Councils of New Zealand had in their ordinances (established the system. As to the deterioration of tone in Parliament, which in many individual instances was plainly perceptible, Mr. Reid remarked: — I regret very much the deterioration of tone that has taken place in our House of Representatives. My highest aim would be to make our Parliament a bright example to bo followed by others. But I regret very much to say that latterly some members in the House cannot rise to make a speech without hurling the grossest charges of corruption and jobbery; against their opponents. They take advantage of the privileges accorded to members of the House, and aootded I believe in the public Interest, so that no

man need be afraid of exposing abuses—but accorded, I take leave to think, in the belief that they would be used only as one gentleman should use them towards another, and thaVwhen charges were disproved there would be a retraction. I say that shis is a deplorable slate of affairs, and instead of attracting high-minded and honorable men to.the Legislature, it will have the effect jof repeUißg'ljhehi,/If inv addition to the arduous-duties of a representative.-q. man has to run the risk of haying Ips -private character ruined, by spoil statements las were very common last, session; you will not find many suitable men seeking the position 'of representative. I Must express my deep regret that such a state of things should exist.

■ As for the wild phantasy of creating Otago a separate colony, Mr. Reid most effectually disposed of that. He showed that the future of the country would not be benefited by separating Otago from it, and that from that time Otago’s prosperity would certainly be doomed. Assuming that the people of Otago obtained separation, he pointed out that next Oamaru and Southland would demand separation from Otago. “ Where',” he asked “would disintegration end ?” We are glad to see that in its most extended view Mr. Reid is against disintegration of the colony; for he said that he would at all times, as far as possible, oppose any proposal for the separation or division of the colony of New Zealand.