SIR GEORGE GREY ON FURLOUGH.

Otago Witness, Issue 119, 27 August 1853, Page 1

SIR GEORGE GREY ON FURLOUGH.

We learn (says the " Nelson Examiner") that Sir George Grey has obtained from the Colonial Minister leave of absence for a year, and that His Excellency will in a few months proceed to England, leaving the government of the colony during his absence in the hands of the Commander of the Forces, Colonel Wynyard. It is a matter of considerable speculation whether the Governor will meet the General Council before he takes his leave of the colony, and, if not, whether legislation will have to stand still until His Excellency returns, or his successor arrives. As we understand Sir George expects to leave New Zealand within four months from this time (July), we do not see how it is possible fnr the General Council to meet within that period, more particularly as no writs have yet. been issued for the election of Members c-f the House of Representatives, nor have we heard of any intention of immediately doing so. Supposing the writs were issued immediate!}', they could not probably be made returnable in less than three months, looking at the state of communication between the settlements, and another month would scarcely suffice for the members to assemble in Wellington ; while if, as report states, the Council is to sit in Auckland, it is difficult to say what time would be n.ecessary for the Southern members to reach the seat of Government. Supposing that there was a desire to see the General Council meet with as little delay as possible, it could- scarce, if proper time is to be allowed for the elections, be got together within four months, and before then Sir George hopes to be on his way to England. It is tolerably clear, then, that his Excellency will not meet the first Council. Supposing this conjecture should prove trup, and that Sir George takes his dep&rture before the Council can be assembled, will the officer temporarily administering the Government be likely to take upon himself the responsibility of meeting the representatives of the people ? Thu is a question we cannot answer, but the prevailing opinion is that he will not, and doubts are entertained whether he would have the power of doing so. At all events, should he summon, the Council, we fear that all the questions of the greatest importance would be shelved by him. Altogether, it cannot be viewed otherwise than a most serious matter, that at this juncture, whe» legislature has been merely nominal for several years puvSt, and when there exists more urgent necessity for deliberative measures on a vast vaiiety of subjects than on any previous period, in the history of the colony, that : the public interests are to bo sacrificed for the better paft of two y^ara : for of two. things we '•• may be 6ure — that Sir George Grey m\\ .never 1 again return to New Zealand, and that allqu'jjs- ■ tions of importance are now to be locked' jojJ till after the arrival of his successor j.and^ the Duke of Newcastle will prove himself the friend i of New Zealand, by causing the interregnum which now seems inevitable to be of as short duration as possible.