SIR GEORGE GREY AT NAPIER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 5018, 15 December 1877, Page 3

SIR GEORGE GREY AT NAPIER.

addresses BY THE PREMIER AND NATIVE MINISTER. [By Electric Tblkgrafu.] [rRKSS AGKSCY.] NAPIEU, Friday. The Hinemoa, with Sir George Grey anMr. Sheehan, arrived here to-day. They were escorted from the Spit by a large number of people, and were drawn in a carriage with six greys. On the procession reaching Clive Square, Mr. John Buchanan was called to tho chair of the open air meeting there held.

Sir G. Grey, after expressing thanks for the warm reception given him, said he did not come as the representative of the district certainly, but nevertheless, he was the representative of the w*hole colony, and "wherever in New Zealand he went he considered he represented the place so far as to promote its welfare to the utmost of the power of the Government. He referred to the fact, that 22 years and three months ago he was in Napier, when there was only one European in it. He came to procure land from the natives for the public, and sueceeded, but moderate as was the price, the colony was too poor to pay, and it was a pleasure to him that he was able to contribute out of his own pocket for the purchase. The dreams he had then as to what the place would be, ho was happy to fiud realised. Every man Bhould be instructed in political knowledge so that he might bo able properly to exercise the power which ehonld be in the possession of all men of age—to have the franchise. Having obtained a liberal franchise, they should take care that the constituencies were fair in size, that ther« were no pocket boroughs enabling the •wealthy to dominate. Railways had been constructed out of the taxes of the whole people, aud so property was enormously increased in value. Thus the wealthy had increased their wealth at the cost of the people at large. It was time this should be remedied —that the wealthy should be made to contribute in proportion to the beneuts derived from the State, and that those who derived but few benelits should be relieved of some of the heavy burdens now pressing on them. There should be fair and equal land laws, so as to enable the industrious to acquire homesteads. The natives should be allowed to get full value for their land, and the market open to the European people at large, so that the natives might get a fair price for their laud. That would be the policy the Native Minister would carry out. The Premier concluded with again referring to the time when he came here before, almost a solitary wanderer from the Wairarapa. haviug only Bishop JSelwyn with him, and expressed a hope that at a later period of his life he would be able to witness a like progress.

Mr. Sheehan spoke very briefly, excusing himself on the grounds of the fatiguing session. After referring to the difference between the present reception and the manner he was looked upon when he first came, he said that those plans which Sir George Grey conceived, he would energetically assist in maturing aud in carrying out. It was time we took a fresh departure, and that the people took a fair share in the government of the couutry. When next session commenced the Ministry would propose those liberal measures of which indication had been given by Sir George Grey. If they found themselves before the age —if the House were not equal to the requirements of the time—then the House should go to the country. .Resolutions were passed without a dissentient voice, thanking Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan, aud pledging themselves to assist them in evsry way to the utmost of their power. There was an immense crowd, and all were very enthusiastic.