MR D. REID AT THE TAIERI.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 922, 21 May 1878, Page 2

MR D. REID AT THE TAIERI.

PRESS AGENCY. DUNEDIN, Friday. Mr Eeid, M.H.R. for Tnieri, addressed his constituents at Mosgiel last night. He commenced by reference to the criticisms on the speech which he delivered last year, and said that the Boanerges of the Opposition,, ,Mr Robert, Stout,^also wrote letters commenting' otsit. Mr Reid; then went^pn to shevf?ihat Mr Stoat's statement thatf^lb outward appearanceSj he remained one of the Groy party down to when lie delivered mis' Taieri speech is not correct. Mr Stout had said that his conduct degraded politics, but he maintained that he was as respectable and as much respected as the most popular member of the present Ministry. He was not aware that he had sacrificed his principles for power or place. He did not believe m party-government without principles, and held that the system of party-government being initiated m this colony by Mr Stout and others would have a most injurious effect upon politics. Some of the resolutions passed by the Dunedin Convention wers exceedingly injudicious ; and reading Mr Macaudrew's address thereat Jay the light of subsequent events, 1 the whole thing must be a very great fiasco. No doubt one of Sir G. Grey's aims,' when lie entered political life, was to prevent Abolition, Jaut he also intended io.&et, the Land Fund of the Middle Island, for that had been his programme m every address which he had hitherto delivered. The men around Sir : G. Grey, who had aided him m the object, wer^ but minnows, m his hands. Sir G. Grey having accomplished his object, was no doubb the most popular man m Auckland, and the opposition offered to the late Government was unconstitutionally and dishonestly conducted. Then the Opposition had no policy nor principles, and when they came into power had to adopt the policy of the previous Government. It was dishonestly conducted, because an attempt was made to undermine the private character of the members of the late Government by insinuations and assertions which it was impossible to refuse. The Piako Swamp and Waitoa land transactions were next commented upon, and the speaker proceeded to say that tho supporters of the Grey party, when m opposition last year, wasted the time of the country purposely and deliberately, and by r.C3dless talk. Referring to the policy of the present Government, as indicated by the speeches of Sir G. Grey and Colonel AVhitmore, he said the Government had two policies, — one a demagogue, and the other a conservative policy. He pointed out that notwithstanding what had been said against the financial proposals and bills of the late Government, the present one adopted them when it got into power. The colonialisation of the Land Fund was .referred 1 lo next ; 'and he said if he had sworn to protect the Otago Land Fund, as others had done, ho would have -retired at once and for ever from political life, rather than consent to the passing of that measure. Sir G. Grey had said that the interests of the conntry would be sacrificed by the Waste Lands Bill, j If it were so, it would be the fault of Ministers who had charge of the Act. If Sir G. Grey believe! that this bill was a fraud on the eatire people of TTew Zealand, as he stated m Dunedin, he should have endeavoured to do everything 1 to prevent it being carried into law, and not have waited till ir had passed, aud lh,-}ii brought it to the Governor to disallow. He would like to see the present Parliamni 1 ; of New Zealand occupy a high standard, but he did not like, the present political arena, and he considered the tone of the debates had deteriorated' to a remarkab c extent since Sir George Qrey s advent to Parliament. A motion expressing regret at Mr Reid's resignation, and strongly urging him to re-consider his intention, was carried unanimously.