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Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2465, 15 February 1878, Page 2

In an address at Wellington last night, before a thousand people, Sir George Grey discussed several important questions of Ministerial policy. He took the opportunity of clearing himself of those charges of anta-. gonism to Wellington, which have been industriously propagated for the purpose ofarousing the jealousy of Wellington colonists. He pointed with confidence to the works he had undertaken in the early days of the province, and stated that when he was Governor, Wellington working men presented him with the most valuable testimonial he had ever received. He could not understand why jealousy should exist between Wellington and Auckland, their sources of commerce being wholly different and in no wise antagonistic. Auckland commerce would be chielly built up out of the South Sea trade, while that of Wellington would depend upon a naturally central position in relation to the rest of the colony. A little reminiscence of his early life was narrated in explanation of those influences which led- him to the colonies, and have played a part in his subsequent advocacy of liberal institutions. The Press Agency telegram states :—" He said that while a young man he was sent out in Ireland in command of a large armed force, foot and horse, to collect tithes from a people unwilling to contribute towards a faith they did not believe. His-heart was heavy at the duty, and from that time he resolved to go to a country where no such laws obtained, and hia efforts since had been directed to having a fairer distribution of the world's goods and juster laws." He commented unfavourably upon the attitude of a powerful party in England which had propounded the doctrine of forcible retention of the colonies, and a colonial contribution to the fleet. It is evident that Sir George Grey's sympathies lean strongly to the side of the Liberals in their opposition to the Eastern war. "What right," he said, "had colonists to be asked to contribute in support of the English fleet? A small minority in England, who did not represent the bulk of the people of England, might declare war at any moment, but if there were a federal union, and if the whole people were represented, they would cry out against war." Upon questions of colonial policy and the intentions of the Cabinet, Sir George expressed sentiments in unison with those which he has put forward in previous speeches. He maintained the justice of universal suffrage. " Even Mr Gladstone, who for many years held opposite views, had now come round to the opinion that every adult man should have a vote. After long experience, he was more and more convinced that the representatives should be returned in exact proportion to population, and equal electoral districts, and give to every man an equal voice. Perhaps he could not carry that and other reforms at once, but justice would not be done until he did that." Sir George maintained that both in New Zealand and tit the Cape he had actively promoted public works, as a cardinal feature in colonising policy. But land-owners reaped the chief benefit from these works, and should be called upon to contribute a larger proportion of the consequent taxation. Touching his visit to Waikato, the Premier said that if the Government preserved a kindly and forbearing attitude, there was no danger of any renewal of native disturbances. He concluded with a general review of colonial federation, condemning in the strongest terms those who,, like Mr Lowe, would sever the connection between the colonies and England, and-said : "The British race had a grand destiny before it, and they ought to go on with the work of building up a great empire. The work was not the complicated work it was at home. Let them have real self-govern-ment, and not allow a governing class to spring up to curse this country as it bad done at home and in other old countries." We are not surprised to learn that the enunciation of these views was received in Wellington with an enthusiasm in no degree less than that which has been elicited in other parts of the colony. Sir George Grey's popular style of address would gain him admirers anywhere ; his principles, however, are those upon which must be founded any permanent influence and party following. In this respect he has been singularly and unprecedentcdly successful in districts of the colony before divided by and devoted to local interests. He is the only Premier who has attempted to create in New Zealand a school of politicians without provincial leanings, and representing broad national opinions. Through his exertions there are rapidly becoming defined two great divisions answering in their general features to the Conservatives and Liberals of England, which will live long after their founder has passed away. Addressing a large meeting lately, Mr John Bright instituted a clever comparison between the legislation of the English Liberals and that of the greatly modified conservatism which lias replaced the old Tory party. The legislation of the Liberals, Mr Bright observed, was almost invariably based on broad general principles and designed to promote the general welfare ; that of the Conservatives, for special purposes, and to meet the wants of some particular class. No definition could more happily' describe the distinction between the measures of the present Ministry and of that party which found a very fair representation in the Atkinson Cabinet.