The Star. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1879.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3561, 9 September 1879, Page 2

The Star. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1879.

To-morrow, the long-desired opportunity will come to the Liberals of Christchurch of showing their politioal strength. Not their strength in numbers on the roll, for that is already wellknown, but their capacity to work unitedly and intelligently for the purpose of achieving a grand triumph for their principles. We make no doubt that a great victory awaits them, and thab whilst by their votes a death-blow will be given to the squatting and land jobbing ring 3 that have long dominated in Canterbury, the turning point in the contest for Parliamentary power will also be finally reached. Whilst we write, the returns from the general election show only a small gain to the Liberal cause, and although the elections yet to come may fairly be expected to result in the return of Ministerialists, yet the choice of the representatives for this city — the very hotbed of Conservative Do-nothingißtn — is generally regarded as of the nature of a crucial test of the publio opinion of the Colony. For our part, we have sedulously sought to keep the great issues of this most important struggle fairly in the minds of the electors. At the beginning of last session the Opposition chose aa the groundword of their attack — tho maladministration of the offices of Government. It has since been clearly shown that the issue was a false one, and all the charges made in its support have been disproved. For the past few weeks the general charges, which bad almost ceaselessly been rung in the public ears, have been quietly abandoned and the Opposition organs and agents have resorted to other tactics, which they fondly hope will be more powerful to deceive the people. They have tried to elevate the discharge of some workmen from the railways ; some Billy rumours of an attempt to remove Mr Conyeks to Dunediu; the report that it was in contemplation to reniovo the Addington workshops, and several other exclusively local subjects into issues upon which electors should cast their votes. But in every instance, it has been shown that the statements so audaciously put forward were only the usual tricks of the Conservative party, and were wholly without a shadow of foundation. Once more, we entreat the electors to remember that the great issues upon which the dissolution was granted by the Governor, and upon which their votes will be counted as a verdict, are not simply of local concern; they are of paramount importance to the Colony at large, bearing as they do upon its progress in every aspect now, and in the future. Is power to be given to the people to share in the making of the laws by which they are governed, and which they are required to respect and obey ? Are the burdens which the necessities of the State require shail be laid upon the people, to be in future apportioned with a due regard to tho capabilities of each section to bear the strain ? Shall the lands of the Colony be rendered available to the colonists who are prepared to render them most productive of natural wealth ; are they to ba thrown open bo that they may afford profitable labour and honourable sustenance to a largo population, and to render our children, and ©ur oh'Jdren's children, independent, happy/ and prosperous ? Lastly, are the boundless resources of this new and teeming land to be developed and, by an active aud farsighted Government, laid bare for tho labour of the people ; or are we to hand over the sleeping riches of tho land to a party who could ba capable of selecting as their motto such an absurdity as "political rest ? " These, we repeat, are tho great issues upon which overy elector is now asked to give his vote, and no effort of an expiring faction should be permitted to distract his mind from them. At this stage it may perhaps bo well to remind the electors who the men arc who have been put forward upon this occasion as representatives of the Liberal cause to fight the battle of the people. In the Premier of Kew Zealand the electors have a candidate who, through long years, has distinguished himself in different quarters of the globe as a Bervant of the empire. In early days, when tho Colonies wjre governed from Downing street, and the colonists were kept in a condition of constant irritation by official blundering and red tapeism, Sir Geoege Grey stood forward as their friend and defender. He was, almost invariably, in antagonism to the Colonial Department because ho persistently pointed out their blunders, and protested against their wrongs. For this cau6e he was re-cailed from tho Cape Government — which he administered during quits as critical a period as iir Bartle Frere has experienced, but instead of plunging the Mother-country into an African war, he succeeded in saving her from such a 6ad experience — and when ho returned to London he discovered that, through the personal intervention of Her Majesty, who has honoured him with her friendship and confidence, he had been reinstated in his government. A few days ago, we published some extracts from tho speech delivered by Sir George Grey upon the occasion of his consenting to become a candidate for the office of Superintendent of Auckland, and these extracts prove that be was then, as now, the staunch supporter of oquitablo taxation, liberal land laws, and the development of the resources of the country. Sir George Grey has stood side by sidu with Mr Gladstone aud other great statesmen in tho halls of the highest seat of learning in England, to receive the highest distinction which tho University could convey, and as a friend to literature, science, and art, it may bo said that he has no superior south of the line. As a discoverer, as a soldier — commander — constitutional authority — orator — what name is there in all the Colonies of Australasia that can be plaoed beside that of Sir George Grey? These are great claims and instinctively they are felt to be bo — even by his most bitter enemies. We have seen, in this city, even those who hate him, feel constrained to rise to do him honour whenever .He made his appearance. Covered as he is with the honours he ba3 won, there is nothing that New Zealand can bestow upon him worthy of a struggle, yet he abandoned his position iv the ranks of the British aristocracy to pass tho remainiug years of his life amongst the colonists of New Zealand. Ho comes forth now to fight their battle, and great as his other claims are, the greatest of all is the charaoter in, which he presents himself

to the Liberal electors of Christchuroh — that of a patriot statesman and friend of the people. Truly, Sir Geoeob Gebt may be fittingly described as "One of the choice and master spirits of this age." Or, to apply the language of a very old English poet — " Stately stepped he east the wall, And stately stepped he west ; Full seventy years he now had seen, With scarce seven years of rest." Rest, indeed, nerer formed any portion of his nature. Of Mr Andrews it may be said that he is one of the people ; thoroughly identified with them and sharing their sympathies in the highest degree. Mr Andrews has distinguished himself by a spirit of patient industry, unobtrusive usefulness, and an unspotted, virtuous life. At the call of the party of progress, with whom he has always been associated, Mr Andrews, at much inconvenience and personal sacrifice, comes from the quietude of his home, to fight the battle of liberal and progressive government against its selfish and unscrupulous foes. Mr Andrews is not unduly ambitious of public honours, and his worst enemy dare not hint that he has any motive of personal aggrandisement in placing his services at the disposal of his fellowmen. Ec is a candidate of whom the working men of this city may well feel proud, and if they do not to a man rally round him and his cause tomorrow, the disgrace will not be his — but theirs. The3e are the honoured candidates of an honourable and a great cause. Hardly any two men could be more strikingly dissimilar than Sir GfiOEGE Grey and Mr Andeews, yet in all New Zealand it would bo difficult to find two candidates, each different in his particular qualifications and caat of thought, and yet together so capable of rendering good and faithful service to a constituency. We leave them now to the support of the Liberal electors of Chrislchnrcb. We do so with the utmost confidence, for there can be no doubt now that if the electors are only faithful to their principles and true to themselves, to-morrow night Sir George Grey and Mr Andrews will be returned at the top of the poll to represent this city in tho Parliament of the Colony.