GREYISM.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume III, Issue 305, 2 November 1881, Page 2

GREYISM.

“ Han\s Breitman had a party, where is that party now ?” The above words are being freely quoted at the present time in New Zealand, especially by gentlemen who used to belong to the party of .Sir George Grey. The “great proconsul” had a party, and a very big party it was, hut tempora mutantur, and of all theM.H.R.’s that were wont to call Sir George Grey leader, only two remain ! The rest have deserted their colours and gone over to new leaders, and the Grey party at present is composed of only three members— Sir George himself, Mr Speight, and Mr Tole. This party at present, very small, is likely to become even emaller. Mr Tole is not unlikely to be exiled from Eden. This would reduce the total strength of the party to two, alltild. The remaining members would be Sir George Grey ami h ; s “ mau Friday,” Mr Speight. Well, Mr Speight was last election returned for Auckland City East by so narrow a majority, that it would ho decidedly unsafe for him to again contest that seat. Deeming discretion the better part of valour, Mr Speight has decided not to run for City East at the ensuing election. Sir George Grey is to contest City East, and Mr Speight is to the lists for the Thames. Mr. Speight is famed for what, iu the vernacular, is called. “ cheek,” and we presume that he hopes to carry himself through by that quality. The other day he sent a telegram to the ex-Native Minister about the Thames election. The gist of this message was to inform Mr. Sheehan that Mr. Speight was exceedingly anxious to learn the intentions qf the ex-Native Minister, and to intimate tq him that Mr Speight had made up his mind tq stand for the Thames borough. Mr. Sheehan naturally looked ujrm Mr. Speight’s message as a piece of

impertinence, and telegraphed to him that lie also had made up his mind to stand for the Thames borough. \Ve trust that when Mr Speight and Mr Sheehan meet in the tng of war there will be no hesitation on the part of the electors about voting for a man who, whatever Ins faults may be, is not selfish, and posesses large ability, as against a man who has neither brains nor position to recommend him. If a* we hope, Mr 'Pole should be banished from Eden, and Mr Speight defeated by Mr Sheehan, then the once formidable (Jrev party will be reduced to a party of one and’the ex-Govcnor and whilhom Prime Minister of New Zealand would be the sole representative of Greyism. JTow have the mighty fallen, and how great are the opportunities that the able and eloquent Knight of Rawau lias neglected ! He had it in his power to achieve more for New Zealand than any other man that ever entered the colony, and to have had his name written in letters of gold on the pages of New Zealand’s history. Instead of tins, however, he will in after times be held up as a “shocking example” of how rare talents and great pre-ila/e may be used in providing the mob with a superabundance of political Dead-sea fruit.— Rangitikei Adcocvlt.