A MEMBER CATECHISED.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5253, 24 January 1878, Page 3

A MEMBER CATECHISED.

Mr. Hursthouee, member for Motueka, addressed his constituents at Wairaea West on the 7th instant. The following is the Nelson Mail's report of the questions put to him at the conclusion of his address;— After some delay, Mr. Arnold asked; You voted against Sir George because of his appointing Baker and Grace to the Ministry. : Was that your only motive? Mr. Huhsthouse explained that he had not said that Mr. Baker and Mr. Grace were made members of the Cabinet, and then stated that he had always voted against Sir G. Grey. Mr. Arnold : That’s very good. Larchin (? Laruach) said that he had only five days to look over the accounts of the colony, and that was not sufficient time for him to make his financial statement. Now, didn’t the Hon. Mr. Gibbs say that five days was plenty of time to do it in? Mr. Huhsthouse ; I really do not recollect, Mr. Arnold: That shows that you were not attending to your duties in the House. Ho yon yourself think that Sir George and Mr. Larchin had time enough allowed them to look over the books and see that things were right? Mr. Huhsthouse : That depends upon what you mean by looking into the accounts. If you mean, to satisfy themselves upon every item, I don’t think five months would have been enough. Mr. Arnold: One thing’s a great pity, that Sir George didn’t take Gibbs into the Ministry, as he’s such a good bookkeeper. I shall write to Sir George and tell him this. Now, tell me, did you speak all the time you were in the House as long as you did to-night? Mr. Huhsthouse; I did. Mr. Arnold ; Then you were very badly reported, for I haven’t seen nearly so much of your speeches in the papers. Ho you think that the Atkinson lot are better than the Grey ? Mr. Huhsthouse ; I do, but I shall never show any factious opposition to Sir George Grey. If I find he has a majority, and I approve of his measures, I shall not offer him opposition. Mr. Arnold : Should we ever have got the Port railway if Larchin had not come to Nelson ? Mr. Huhsthouse ; Certainly we should, as it had been ordered by the House. Mr. Arnold : Bon’t yeu think its time immigration was stopped ? Mr. Huhsthouse : I think there is still plenty of room in New Zealand for immigrants of the right sort. Mr. Arnold : Hid you vote for the £3OOO to Vogel ? Mr. Huhsthouse ; I did. Mr. Arnold : A lot of credit to you that is. Mr. Huhsthouse : I did so because New Zealand wanted an able and an influential man to represent her at Home, and Sir Julius Vogel did the work with which he was'entrusted remarkably well. That he was extravagant there was no doubt, but he served the colony well, and deserved some recognition. I voted for it last year, and heard no signs of disapprobation from my constituents, and I did so again this session. Mr. Arnold : How much did you vote for Sir George as a loan ? Mr. Hdbsthousb : Two and a half millions. We thought that was quite sufficient. Mr. Arnold : If Atkinson had asked for tea millions, you would have voted it, wouldn’t you ? Mr. HuRSTHOUfE : Certainly not. Mr. Arnold ; It’s the likes of us and our children as will have to suffer for all this borrowing. I’m done now.