MR. GRATTAN GREY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11686, 22 June 1901, Page 5 (Supplement)

MR. GRATTAN GREY.

NEW ZEALAND LEGISLATORS

[FROM OUR OWN CORRF.SI'OXUtNT.] London-, May 18. Mr, Grattan" Grey's book, '-Australasia; Old and New," which is published by Hodder and Stoughton, is now out, but no copy has yet reached me, so 1 am unable, to express my opinion as to its merits or to give any information as to its contents. It is reviewed at some length by various British newspapers. One review characterises tuo book as a "campaign of calumny," and proceeds to say: "We do not hesitate to stigmatise some of his remaiks as ungentlemanly, if not also untrue. in these New Zealand chapters li? refers to the members of the Liberal and Labour parties in Maori (sic) Parliament as 'the very worst type of public men,' as an 'army of self-seeking men,' and 'a party of self-seeking mediocrities,' as 'these political louts,' as 'leaders who have personal interests to serve,' ho are animated by 'hypocrisy and insincerity,' who vine 'absolutely against their opinions find convictions,' as 'despicable creatures, as 'legislators helping themselves to the people's money.' as illiterates who have to get their friends to correct their Hansard proofs, as 'uneducated and rough-spoken fellows,' who 'bore the House with their balderdash,' as 'thick-skinned and soidisant labour-leaders,' as 'ignorant and incapable and servile.' as 'princes of cadgers,' as ' an object of public derision and scorn,' as parties to a, hateful system of espionage, as dishonest to their creditors, including the Bar of the House itself, and so on."

Dear me. let me take breath for a mo meat! Next the reviewer goes on to say:

" No one can mistake this sort of thing for anything but the verbose raving of a heated partisan." The writer also says "That the Wellington M.P. is more corrupt than his brother at Westminster, we frankly do not believe; that his work is more useful to the community in whose service he is we cannot doubt. No, no, Mr. Grey, with all due respect, your little picture of Wicked Richard And His Naughty Men will not do. You have coloured your scarecrow so highly that it does not horrify; it only amuses.' Mr. Grey's literary style is described as "Often the most revolting of Telegraphese."' It is added that lie has overstepped the bounds alike of fair statement and good faith. The review is headed, "Nau.dny Sew Zealand," or "Australasia as it is—More or Less."