SIR GRORGE GREY AT CHRISTCHURCH.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 13, 26 May 1880, Page 4

SIR GRORGE GREY AT CHRISTCHURCH.

[per united press association.] Sir Gr. Grey addressed a large meeting at Christchurch last week. He said he was still their representative, although another person had been put in his place by a method which was a deadly stab at the liberties of the people of New Zealand ; he had been ousted as a representative of Christchurch contrary to all precedent, and contrary to law and the decision of the judges ; he pledged himself that every session he would move that the votes which deprived the electors of Christchurch of their just rights should be expunged from the Journals of the House. It was his duty to do this in order to defend the rights of the electors of New Zealand, which had been outraged in the persons of the electors of Christchurch. He denied being a stump orator, and defended his conduct in addressing large meetings to instruct them on great subjects and teach them how to rule; he contrasted this with Mr. Hall going to small villages to speak. He thoroughly condemned the Auckland fours compact — saying the Auckland people rejected with scorn the bribe offered ; he gave up office rather than be a party to disgraceful jobs. He defended the principle of nominated governors, and advocated the discontinuance of the Legislative Council honorarium. He objected to an increase of the Customs duties, advocating a land and income tax. He asked the people to stamp out any attempt to stop free education. The cardinal points of those now in power were to take taxes from the land, and tax the necessaries of life, and further, they Would stunt the tree of knowledge, but the people would not allow of that. Then, too, they talked of stopping subsidies, instead of getting the substantial endowments promised by the Treasurer when he advocated the doing away with provinces. He was willing to do away with Education Boards, allowing Committees to communicate with the Minister. He denounced the pi-esent jobbery in native land, at which the Government connived. It was their bounden duty to see that the public lands were not tampered with by speculators ; and also that every individual had his vote preserved, so that the rights of these single individuals might, as the rights of the whole, be sacredly preserved. He finally concluded by avowing his determination to persevere in the course he had taken until his life's end.

A resolution was proposed by Mr. Andrews, M.H.R., expressing regret at the circumstance which had deprived them of the services of Sir Gr. G-rey, their thanks for his address, their renewed confidence, and that they still regarded him as their representative ; which was carried unanimously.