WANGANUI.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2792, 25 January 1878, Page 2

WANGANUI.

Thursday. Mr Bryce baa addressed his constituents. After referring to various local matters, lie said Major Atkinson's Govern* ment had been removed from office as a punishment for their lins. When abolition was settled, then the Government had no principles, they were not prepared to change to secure their retention of office. Theyf had reversed front ii the Charitable Institutions Bill, Native Lands Bill, and Woolcock'a motion re the incidence of taxation; and had violated the principles of responsible government in taking as colleagues political opponents. Fair play was due to any Government which might have succeeded them, and he knew of no reason why it should have been denied Sir George Grey. Major Atkinson had rushed at the Government benches with unseemly haste after an unholy combination with members who, ten days before, had turned them out of office. Major Atkinson lost bis want of confidence motion by an accident, which served him right. Sir G. Grey's speeches indicated an extreme line of politics, which his colleagues might moderate. He (Mr Bryce) had always been a moderate politician, and would not join in the crusade against any one class. There were difficulties before Sir Geo. Greg's Government, and any Government which solved the difficult problem of dealing with native land would deserve tie thanks of the community. The financial position of the colony overshadowed that and every other question. He believed the colony 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 hotter position than it was in at the present, and one good result would be that administrative economy would be a necessity. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously.