TAURANGA, Yesterday.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1188, 7 February 1880, Page 3

TAURANGA, Yesterday.

THE M.H.E. FOB EAST COAST. At a meeting of ratepayers at Katikati, on the proposition of George Vesey Stewart, seconded by Mr Surtees, a resolution was unanimously passed calling on Mr Allan Macdonald, M.H.R. for East Coast, to resign the seat. In moving the resolution Mr Stewart said : You will exouse me for entering on the arena of politics, but both in the old country and the new people take some interest in politics. The members of the present Government have shown themselves to be worthy, honest men. (Applause.) At one time, I admit, I had a very high opinion of Sir G. Grey in his political character. Ire garded him as a gentleman with a very large stake in the country, and whose whole interests were bound up in its prosperity, and therefore I thought he deserved support, but during the two yeai B in which his Government was in power there was the grossest mal-administration (hear, hear) — in fact, had the late Government remained in power much longer, the colony would have been brought to the very verge of bankruptcy. As you are all aware, the present member for the East Coast was elected on what is called the Grey ticket ; but, as Sir George Grey is now politically dead and buried, I think it would not be unfair to call upon our member to support that side of the House most likely to prove honest administrators. (Applause). I therefore beg to move—- " That our member, Mr Allan McDonald having pledged himself to retire from Parliament in the event of the present Government coming into power, we hereby call upon him to resign his seat, or else pledge himself to support the present Ministry during the coming session." (Applause). I heard Mr McDonald at a meeting in Tauranga addressing the electors, and informing them that if the Opposition — that is. the present Government — came into power, he would not care a snap of his fingers for a seat in Parliament, and would resign at once. I think we ought to take him at his word. (Hear, hear). He pledged himself to that in my hearing and that of a roomful of electorsI think it is not unreasonable to call upon him to carry out his promise, or else suppert the Hall Government. (Applause). Mr Surtees; I believe that in Gisborne he also has been called upon to resign ? Mr Stewart: Yes. Mr Surtees: 1 have much pleasure in seconding the motion. I heard Mr McDonald speak in the House when I was in Wellington , but I could not understand what he intended to say. (Laughter). A great many electors in Tauranga heard him, and they could noc understand what he said; so I think he is no lit representative for the East Coast. (LaughI ter).