The Southland Times. TUESDAY, MAY 3, 1870.

Southland Times, Issue 1246, 3 May 1870, Page 2

The Southland Times. TUESDAY, MAY 3, 1870.

"We publish this morning a full report of Mr Stafford's address to his constituents at Timaru, delivered on the 21st alt. As a prominent politician, the honorable gentleman's utterances are at, all times worthy of the utmost consideration at the hands of the colonists ; while, as late premier, as leader of the present opposition, and as prospective head of the next Government, his opinions at the I present moment— -immediately preceding, the meeting of the Assembly — are fraught with still greater importance. Although spoken to a comparatively limited audience, and ostensibly delivered' simply as the sentiments of the representative of an inferior constituency, the speech is evidently addressed to the colonists at- large, and indicates clearly the policy of the speaker's party. We have thought it desirable to place it entire "before our readers, that they may have an opportunity of calmly weighing the points discussed, and forming a just estimate of the political principles of which Mr Staffobd is the mouthpiece. "We purpose also giving Mr Fox's speech at Dunedin, in ecctenso, having no desire but that our readers should have the fullest opportunity of judging of the relative merits of the different schemes of government represented by the two gentlemen ; and in the meantime, we reserve comment.