SIR GEORGE GREY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9139, 11 June 1891, Page 2

SIR GEORGE GREY.

(Pbe United Pbess Association.)

Auckland, June 10.

Sir G. Grey brought a valuable collection of works from Australia for the Auckland Free Library. A furtherehipmentia to arrive. Lord Onslow has presented him with the original document containinjfithe invitation of the Uriwcra tribes to visit their country, to bo added to the Native documents in the Grey collection.

An enthusiastic meeting .of welcome to Sir George was held to-Dight at the Lome street Hall. Mr W. J. Napier presided. A joint address of welcome was preeented to him by the Auckland Liberal Association, Trades and Labour Council, Knights of Labour, and AntiI Poverty Bociety. It also expressed approval of his conduct at the Federal Convention, and his prominent advocacy of the reasonable and just claims of the colony. Sir George in the course of a lengthy speech complimented the leaders of the labour party on the prudence displayed in speech and actions, and he had pleasure in associating with them. The labour representatives in Parliament were worthy of being returned. He expressed regret at the exodus of the flower of the young men from the colony to Australia, and hoped measures would be taken to arrest it. A resolution was passed congratulating Sir George on his safe return, and expressing the conviction of the meeting that the cause of political progress had been much advanced throughout Australia by his eloquent advocacy of liberal principles iri the chief towns of the sister colonies. (Feom Our Own Cobbesfondent.) Auckland, June 10. Sir George Grey, in an interview which a New Zealand Herald reporter had with him, said he did not know whether the Queen was anxious to see him, as he had not opened half his correspondence. He had not heard his name in connection with the Agent-generalship, and had no knowledge of what the Government were doing or intended to do. He desired to go Home, bat did not mean to stay. If the Upper House blocked the measures of the Government, the only thing to be done would be to appoint sufficient new men to overwhelm the Opposition. The Governor would be justified in swamping the Council in order to pass such measures pro* posed by a new Government. The Government would be the Government of the day, and at tha time the representative of the people. He could not say whether the New Zealand delegates to the convention would report to Parliament, as he stood alone, but if the question csme up for consideration he would of course state his views, and had no doubt they were the views of the great majority.