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Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1529, 6 January 1875, Page 2

We are pleased to observe that our contemporary the Cross has the good sense to acquiesce in the general desire for the return of Sir George Gray ai representative of City Weßt in the General Assembly. It is true our contemporary expresses such acquiescence in mildly deprecatory language, and raises in an incidental way objections that ,might suggest themselves to any mind desirous of finding fault with the proposal. But it is on the whole satisfactory to observe that our contemporary has not received orders to resist with tooth and nail the placing in the house, a gentleman who is sure to

rally around him a large following that will regard him with deference and respects The Cross believes it " is a likely occurrence that he would be elected" if he consented, and very properly suggests "the necessity of first obtaining his consent." -There is no doubt that before election suck consent must be asked, and as lit£le doubt that if properly asked it will be obtained;, but in the meantime, as suggested by; the Herald yesterday, it is advisable that : as litUe lime as possible should be lost in testing this matter in the u&ual and formal" manner of a requisition. With respect to the '* singular and ttnp&ralelled spectacle of an ex-Governorof a colony sitting as a member of the Parliament of that colony in which for years he has represented the Queen/ it will be to colonists a Very gratifying spectacle, as pleasing to them as it will be honorable to him who, having adopted this country as his home, is thus prepared to take the lower room if t hereby he can serve her interests. Our contemporary further says that Sir George would secure a seat in Parliament if he

chooses " to say the word," and adds, " Will he say it ?" The answer to this can only be given w'ien the question is embodied in a requisition, and we can say with confidence that Sir George Grey is not the man to hsng back if his country calls ; and the intending requisitionists may rest assured that if he sees in the number and names of requisitionists that it is the call of duty, he will place himsejf at the service of the people. That he will come forth and solicit "election, Or take any part in having himself returned, is surely not expected by our contemporary. That at least would be "peculiar" and " unparalleled" in an ex-Governor of a colony, but the positiorjof Sir George Grey makes it in no way disparaging to electors that they should, by the number and unanimity with which they offer invitation, show him that they really desire him to take oh him the duty of representing them in Parliament. Our contemporary identifies Sir George Grey with his provincialist views in suoh all exclusive manner that one would think there must never have been, or never can be, any other question save that which cropped up in the last few days of last session owing to an outbreak of M'r Vogel's temper. But we believe th,at in Auckland, even by those who feel strongly opposed to Bir George Grey's opinions on constitutional amendment, those opinions will be overlooked for sake of the many other and great qualifications possessed' by liim for serving the country. We invite our contemporary to cordially acquiesce and' co-operate in this movement, so that it may be unanimous. People say that. the Cross will be afraid to espouse his cause for fear of incurring the displeasure of Mr Vogel. But we trust that our contemporary will manifest a brave aud independent spirit in the public interest; and acquiescing/ heartily in the proposal, and uniting with the Herald and ourselves, show that all the journals of Auckland, as well as all its people, are one in desiring the return of Sir George Grey to Parliament.