Mr. Ormond’s Address.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 184, 16 July 1884, Page 2

Mr. Ormond’s Address.

[Per Association Telegrams.] Napier, July 16. Mr, Ormond addressed a crowded meeting last night. He could not say to what party he would belong if returned, because the colony was in such an extraordinary position —such as had rarely been seen in this colony or any other country. He could not say if he would support Vogel or not. While admitting that Vogel had done good service to the colony, he thought it was necessary at the present juncture of affairs that the colony should be governed by men who would be prepared to stay in it and bear the brunt of their mistakes or failure. He did not think that Sir George Grey was likely to be entrusted with power after the terrible misuse he had made of it during his term of office. He could not be considered a supporter of the Government, solely on public grounds, although he regretted severing his connection with old friends and colleagues of his own whom he regarded as honest men. He did not agree with Atkinson that if he remained in office he could meet the present deficiency without additional taxation, and was of opinion that if the Premier had any proposals for reducing taxation he should have given them on the eve of the general election. He favored the land and income tax as against the property tax, but would not pledge himself to change in £this direction until it could be done prudently. He was not in favor of cessation of borrowing at present, owing to unfinished public works. He thought it would be well to lease a portion of our railways as an experiment in view of better management. He thought there should be local control of railways instead of their all being administered by a central power. He would prevent the direct purchase of Native lands, and thought a mistake was made in ever waiving the pre-emptive right. He had no hope of getting back provincialism, but thought they should get back a great deal more of the control of their local affairs. He favored secular educatiou as the greatest boon ever given to the country. He sympathised heartily with the Roman Catholics in the call that was made upon them by this scheme, and if he could see any way to do justice to them without endangering the success of the scheme, he would do so. Mr. Ormond concluded by asking the meeting not to propose any vote of confidence. That would be best shown in the ballot box. A vote of thanks was carried.