MR POSTLETHWAITE AT GERALDINE,

Temuka Leader, Issue 1113, 2 June 1883, Page 3

MR POSTLETHWAITE AT GERALDINE,

Mr Postlathwaite addressed his constituents at Geraldine hst. night. Mr R. S. Cook was voted to the chair, and there was a large attendance. The meeting was most orderly, and the speaker was frequently applauded.

Mr Postlothwarie commenced by saying that tie had promised to support the party that would do best for the country. He had kept himself free and independent until ho found at a caucus of the Opposition that they had no leader or policy. The suggestion was that they should oust the Ministry, and then get a leader He would not be a party to such a course. He would not oust a Ministry that had done fairly well for a party that had neither policy nor leader. It was necessary to follow one party or another, or a member would be a nonentity, and he believed this justified him in supporting the Ministry. He voted for the North Island Loan, partly because it was made a no confidence motion, and because it _ would prove reproductive inasmuch as it would open up eight or nine million acres of land. The colony would get a quid pro quo for the amount expended. The loan would have been raised, whatever party was in power. He would have been opposed to it otherwise. The way in which members tried to secure a share of it reminded him of the game of grab in his younger days According to the Colonial Treasurer it would have taken £5,000 000 to satisfy all. He had secured the assistance of Captain Sutter and Mr Wiggins to get £.25,000 for the Temuka-Oxford line, but failed as Government would not give for any line which had not already been opened for a distance. As regarded the indebtedness of the colony at 5 per cent £2,350,000 went to pay the interest. He next gave an account of the action he took with regard to the Counties Act, and Rating Act, and Road Board Act, and urged the desirability of abolishing the County Council. It cost that body £552 15s to spend £BO in Charitable Aid last year. He also explained the Native Lands Rating Act, and deprecated the cruel manner in which Natives were treated by Europeans. If Europeans weie as just and fair as the Natives there would be less trouble. He praised up Mr Bryce and Mr Rolieston. If Mr Bryce had been a Native Minister long ago, Native difficulties would not exist. He disapproved of Major Atkinson o Insurance Scheme, and thought a rate would have to bo raised to maintain the poor. He approved of leasing- land, and would oppose further alienation of it. He was opposed to Land Nationalalisation. He would not support the West Coast Railway, neither would he support the extension of the line to Picton, as all the land there had been bought up and no Government land would be opened up by it. He had supported the Silver Stream ex tension and the Otago Central Railway because they would open a great deal of land. He also referred at some length to the Bankruptcy Act. and said one would be brought in next session, which he would support. He condemned subsidies, and would oppose them. He deprecated members talking to their in the House, when every night’s sitting cost £SOO. He opposed the Eight Hours Labor Bill, because it interfered with the liberty of tho subject. He saw a paragraph in the papers that he was going to resign. Nothing would make him resign, only the hand of God. After he had referred to local matters connected with the Road Board, and in no way bearing upon politics, and answered some unimportant questions, Mr Swinton moved a vote of thanks and confidence in him. Mr Farrell seconded it.

Mr Maslin moved a vote of thanks only, which was seconded by Mr Corbett, but only three supported it and the original motion was carried almost unanimously.

A full report will appear in our next issue.