MR. MOORHOUSE, M.H.R. PROPHESIES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5407, 26 July 1878, Page 3

MR. MOORHOUSE, M.H.R. PROPHESIES.

When addressing his constituents at Christchurch on Saturday Mr. Moorhouse said; —l agreed mainly with what fell from my friend, Mr. - Stevens, at..his meeting. I have read what is reported to have fallen from my friend the Hon. Mr, Richardson. I am bound to say that Mr. Richardson’s was a very thoughtful speech, and I should be very happy to adopt it in the main as an expression of my own views. In common with most sensible men, members of the party to which X adhered, he sees of how much consequence it is to the colony that the experiment of the present administration should run to its legitimate issue. We shall then see how it will end. Sir George will have a majority of from twenty to twenty-five I should think, a majority against which it will be impossible, to work except in the way of friendly advice and consultation. We shall go to him and say, “ Sir George, this clause may be amended,” and I have no doubt that the suggestions of the Opposition will often be accepted. Indeed whether there, will be an Opposition or not I cannot tell, and if there be who will be its leader I cannot say. It may be for instance my friend in the chair to-night Mr. Rolleaton. Sir George Grey may feel somewhat apprehensive of sharing the fate of that sportsman who fell a victim to his own dogs. It is quite possible before many years are over, that Sir George Grey and many of our leaders at present holding office, ■ but particularly Sir George Grey, might begin to feel some apprehensions of danger from a change of temper in the kennel. Now, fancy the unfortunate predicament of the man whose popularity is so great that it is impossible to get together out of the men not absolutely his supporters enough to make an Opposition. What form this diffi* culty will develop itself into I cannot say. It is a difficulty. There will be fifty or sixty gentlemen as fit as anybody else to take office. In a few years there will be discontent amongst them, and what then? The'change, in political opinion lately might bo traced to a desire, for office. What is ' to prevent. the same desire for office effecting a change of opinion in the future 'i I .should not be surprised to find that there is a great feeling of discontent before long. A- sincere friend of the present Government, who is also an excellent friend of mine, told'me that he was afraid they would he out of. office in two years, because at present there was too much enjoyment to last. The'- reaction would be rapid in proportion 4s the present gratification was intense. It might be the cause of great: regret to me, but I should not be surprised to see Sir George Grey and his colleagues in some considerable difficulty before long. They are much too strong. I may say'that I like a good many of their, proposals. As to the forthcoming policy of the Government as shadowed forth,.! may state generally that I am disposed to like it. You may desire to know why I do so. Well, gentlemen, one reason—and the principal one—is that it appears* to me to be in many respects similar to that of the late administration. The present Government are going in for economical expenditure in the direction of public works, and also for the economical administration of the public funds. Now, gentlemen, these were just the proposals of the late Ministry, and 'of every Government that I have heard offer years past. As to their, proposition of manhood’suffrage, that, gentlemen, is a plant which has grown in Auckland. I was told the other day that it blossomed in the congenial soil of Queen-street. In that place you get a concentration of all that is hopeful ; there are congregated the poor, the needy, the unemployed, for they have not so much to do nor so much business to occupy their time as you have here. Ho far as I understood the proposition when it first oamo forth from Auckland, it was to the effect that manhood suffrage meant giving a vote to everything with a beard. But, gentlemen, it is very interesting and very Curious to notice that the qualifications for the franchise, as proposed by tho Government, altered very materially as they came further south. It appeared as if the alteration was induced by the climate getting colder. In ’Dunedin they don't manhood ghffrago, and wo find that the member of the Cabinet from that district materially altered : the programme as at first sketched out, by imposing a residential qualification. I do not doubt that, if necessary, tho exact gauge of -this place would bo ascertained, and that the Government would say, " Hero is your fit exactly; this is manhood suffrage aud it is not manhood.suffrago." Now, gentlemen, this is what isgoifcg on in ; -the . Cabinet. They have never come forward with a scheme upon any certain basis,

though I believe *oue member is going to bring forward a scheme which will be considerably modified from the proposal as at first put forth, That gentleman will have my support of so much of his proposal as I think is for the benefit of the colony and this constituency.