SIR GEORGE GREY AT OTAHUHU.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4421, 15 July 1884, Page 3

SIR GEORGE GREY AT OTAHUHU.

Sir Qeoroe Grey addressod a crowded meeting of the electors of Otahuhu last night, in tho District Hall, upon the present political crisis. Mr S. Luke presided, and briefly introduced the speaker of the evening. Sir George Grey was received with loud cheers. After a few preliminary remarks upon the importance of electors grappling with the burning questions of tho day, which would affect the destinies of the country for generations to come, instead of concentrating their whole attention upon the construction of a road here and a bridge there, the gentleman went on to indicate how superior the Provincial form of Government was to the system which replaced it. Under it they had an economic administration, a large landed estate, they owed nothing, but now all those conditions had been vastly changed for the worse. What they had therefore to consider now was, how they wore to get local self-government back agaiii, how they were to get some share in their lands, and in what way tliey could pay interest on a debt of 30* millions and throw the burden on tho shoulders of thoso who ought to bear it. The speaker thon weot on to discuss other questions which have been dealt with in former addressos-tbo unearned incremont, and property tax, the conferring of the franchise upon Civil- servants, and tho Chinese question. Several questions werp also put and answered. Mr 0. C. McGee entered a protest against tho speech as being used for party purposes —to advance Major Harris's candidature against Mr Buckland. This comment was received with loud expressions of dissent. MrW. R. Wills thon proposed, " lhat this meeting, while thanking Sir George Grey for his able address, desires to express its unbounded confidence in him as the only leader of the Liberal party in New Zealand." (Cheers). . Mr Dufl'tis seconded the motion, winch was carried almost unanimously. Sir George Grey briefly returned thanks, and proposed a voto of thanks to the Chairman, which was duly accorded. Major Harris was.'present at the meeting, but did not speak.