MR SPEIGHT, M.H.R, AT AUCKLAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2507, 2 April 1881, Page 2

MR SPEIGHT, M.H.R, AT AUCKLAND.

Auckland, April 1. Mr Speight addressed the City East electors to-night. There were 200 persons present and Mr D. H. McKenzie, Chairman of the Central Committee, presided. Mr Speight spoke for two hours and twenty minutes, his speech being. principally a review of the work of the session. Ho condemned in strong terms most of the Government measures submitted to the House. The Native Lands Bill vested too much power in the hands of the Government. He stated that Mr Sheehan had latterly falsified every principle which he formerly advocated as a mode of dealing with lands; He would resist any attempt to increase the Customs duties, as the maximum of taxation in that direction was reached. The land, as the heritage of the people, should bear the cost of Government, and in two or three years valuable land would fall into the hands of Government, which if honestly and properly administered, would bear the whole burden. He condemned the Charitable Institutions Bill, as legalising pauperism and frightening capital. He believed there were in our present Cabinet some men as pureminded and fitted to rule as ever held the reins of office in the colony, but others were the very reverse. In response to a question whether he would again stand for City East, Mr Speight said his party sent him there, and he would go wherever his party sent him. A vote of confidence was accorded.