SIR G. GREY AND HOME RULE.

Evening Star, Issue 7195, 25 April 1887, Page 1

SIR G. GREY AND HOME RULE.

At the Auckland meeting to present an address to the Earl of Aberdeen, Sir George Grey said he believed that he was the first man (in 1868) to advocate Home Rule for Ireland—(loud applause)—and some Irish papers were started about that time with the avowed object of supporting the views he had put forward. Therefore he, above all men, felt committed to support this movement. He believed it was to be accomplished entirely by the good sense of the Empire ; and he did uot look only to Great Britain, but believed the general feeling would favor such a law being passed: the different parts of the Empire sympathising in a movement of the kind would produce a great effect on Great Britain itself. He had never doubted that it would become the law of the land, and he felt just ad confident now that in a very short time Home Rule would be granted to Ireland.—(Loud cheers). But he also felt no indignation, hatred, and bad feeling towards those who opposed the views he held. He knew that it would pass in spite of them. In regard to Lord Salisbury, from an intimate knowledge of him in years past he oould assure the meeting that there lived no better man, and he felt satisfied that if he remained in power he would carry a great measure of Home Rule for Ireland. He believed that Lord Salisbury would be compelled to do so- by popular opinion, and he would be doing what was right and proper. If he did not, he must go out of office and other men would do it for him. But if it was not done by Lord Salisbury it would be a standing source of regret to him that he had lost a great opportunity of doing good. The wisest course he could pursue would be to give back to Ireland the rights she had so long and justly asked for. He therefore hoped that all would, by reason and argument, gently but firmly demand for Ireland the advantages which were her due, and he was perfectly certain that in saying eo he was expressing the sentiment of the, very great proportion of the population of New Zealand. In Scotland also the same thing was longed for, as was shown in the case of the crofters. In New Zealand they would not part with the possession of such > privileges, and he therefore asked them to maintain the same confidence had, that Home Rule would be carried. Let the Irish, by long-suffering and resolution, persevere in seeking that which was their right, and he firmly believed that Tie should live to see Home Rule become the law of Ireland.—(Loud cheers.)