MR. BRYCE BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 541, 25 January 1878, Page 2

MR. BRYCE BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS.

(PEH PKESS AGENCY.) Wangantji, January 24. ' Mr. Bryce has addressed his constituents: After referring tiv various local matters, he said Atkinson Government had. been removed from office as a punishment for their sins. When Abolition, was-settled) that GoycEampntliad-no

principles left —no principles they were not prepared to change to secure their retention of office. They reversed their front in the Charitable Institutions BUI, the Native Lands BUI, and Mi. Woolcpck's motion re incidence- of .had violSted€]ie principles;'of' responsible \ s taking as Colleagues poliitidd; opponents. t\Eair play was;;due to any> Goveriimenti/iwhich might succeeded themi'and; : lie knew of no"'reason; (why it sholuld have been 'denied to Sir Ge.orge Grey.™ Major Atkinson-Kadgrxished at the Government benches with unseehily haste, after an unholy combination with members who, ten days before, had turned them out of office. Major Atkinson lost his want-of-oonfidenoe motion by aocident, ' whioh served" hini righ'tr " Sir -G. Grey's speeches indicated an extreme line of politics, which his colleagues might moderatertrHe'XMr.Bryce) -had always been a moderate politician, and would not join in a crusade agairist any one class. There were difficulties, before the Grey Government, and any Government which solved the difficult problems of dealing with native lands would deserve the thanks of the community. The financial position of the Colouy was oyer-nhaduwed and h.e heaved the (3qlqn.y- was rapidly approaching a financial crisis which would try its resources to the utmost. He had, however, faith that it would come out of the trial in a sounder position than it was •it present, and one good result would be rhat administrative economv would he :i neoessity, A vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously.