An Outstanding Politician

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 32, 1 November 1933, Page 11

An Outstanding Politician

Sil', —As one who has reached the allotted span of lite, and spent it in the Dominion,. I read with interest the various contributions, by different correspondents, purporting.to be a record .-f the life and activity of the late Sir George Grey, as Governor, and later on, as a statesman of the Colony. Personally, I have vivid recollections, when, in con-. junction with a number of youths, we were escorted to a public hall to listen to an address delivered by him, in the Nelson province; and let me state in. all sincerity that although I have listened to many celebrated orators since then, yet never have I heard one who could create such a pro-found impression. He advised us to be- loyal and true to the ancient traditions of the Motherland, and yet not to forget that as a rising democracy, that with the granting of the manhood suffrage, we had the framing and moulding of this portion of the Empire in our own hands. Yet I read that one writer states that he was an autocrat, who could not brook any opposition, hence could not work -with the late J. Ballance or Sir R. Stout, in the Parliament which existed at that time; also one noted critic stated he was a paradox, and that all his speeches were a direct appeal to the gallery, with whom he had no sympathy; yet he has left a name and memory, which is revered by Maoris and Europeans, which the passing of time or circumstance will never obliterate!—l am, etc. SUBSCRIBER. Palmerston North, October 30.