SPEECH BY MR ROLLESTON.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 275, 16 April 1898, Page 2

SPEECH BY MR ROLLESTON.

The Hon. Mr Rolleston, M.H.R., for Riccartou, and acting leader of the Opposition, addressed his constituents on Thursday evening. He criticised the actions of the Government in Parliament, aud more particularly the conduct of the Premier in endeavouring to pack the committees in the House and in boycotting certain members. The Premier had set at defiance the decisions of the Upper House, and had made the legislative officers and the Hansard reporters subservient to the Government. He (the speaker) objected to the Premier claiming the right of dissolution when such power only rested with the Crown. Personally, I\3 saw no reason for a dissolution. Mr Sedrion and his party were becomiug daily more obnoxious to the country, and the party to which he (Mr Rollestou) belonged, was becoming stronger, and would soon aesert itself. The Premier had had a warning in Wellington that the people would elect whom they liked, and not the nominee of the Government. Tne Premier was getting into bad odour in the country by his autocratic actions, ami the manner in which he ignored the will of Parliament and the people. The Premier had no right to have the Parliameutar}' Buildings improved to the extent of £40,000, when only £7OOO was voted for the new Parliamentary library. MrHutchesouhad said the civil service was being demoralised and undermined by the Government. Mr Seddon aud Mr McKenzie had been going about the country talking a lot of nonsense, but they were careful not to go to Duncdin or Christchnrch, but chose small places like Milton and Clutha. The tirades made agaiDSt the Opposition had no truth in them. Mr Rolleston denied that his party had pursued a spirit of opposition in the House, and quoted Mr Hutcheson to show that the Government invited delay because they were not ready with their policy mexsure3. He condemned Ministers holding Beats on syndicates, and said Parliament had not yet heard the last of it, and he hoped the House would declare against it. He was not satisfied with the present constitution of the Upper House, and thought reform would come in the shape of election by the Hare system, on the basis adop; ed in America for the Senate. As to Bushy Tark, Mr McKenzie had won hie election on a promise to have it cut up, and yet it was sold to one of his sons, and, said Mr Rolleston, not a sixpence of the purchase money had yet been paid. Ho considered the affair a blunder which was worse than a crime. The present Land for Settlement Bill, properly administered, was in the public interests, but required modification in the shape of leasehold and freeholds being fixed iu future lands taken, which would prevent a lot of impecunious peop!e getting together. The Advances to Settlers Board was more or less of a political Dature, and had been subject to abuses. He objected to Mr Secldon posing as a champiou of labour, while the Government had simply been playing with the Labour Bills, and did not mean to pass them. After dealing with a number of other matters, Mr Kolleston concluded by declaring that the policy of his party, when in power, would be one of fair play to all institutions. They must insist on the Parliamentary machiue being properly worked, and must have a policy of truthfulness and honesty instead of the system of looting, which had become synonymous with Liberalism. Labour legislation must run concurrently with the needs of the industrial classes, but must not be elevated to a party cry. There could be no standing still in land settlement, which must go on. There must be an edvance in the educatiou. Mr Rolleston vote of thanks and confidence by acclamation.