THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 1875.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2061, 12 August 1875, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 1875.

The New Zealand Herald of yesterday publishes nearly three columns of a report of Sir George Grey's. speech on the Abolition question, furnished by its special correspondent. Necessarily this report — although even but a mere digest— differs essentially from that furnished by the Press Agency, and it removes certain impressions created by the vagueness of the Press Agency summary. Sir George appears to hare laid himself down to the business of opposing any constitutional change rather than to the task of what was expected, namely, «n exposition of the Opposition programme. Even the extended report of the" Herald fails in conveying to our .aiiuds « proper estimate of Sir George

Groy's speech. It was evidently a.careful, eloquent and feeling eulogium on the Constitution as prepared by himself; with sufficient egotism apparent to show that he still cherished a pride in the consummation of his work, but in spite of this, evidencing a spirit of true patriotism,! and a thorough conviction that the form of government in existence was the best for the colony. In many respects Sir George Grey's exposition was disappointing. It was expected that he would promulgate some scheme as a substitute for the Government Abolition measure. Knowing the state of the country, and having accepted as inevitable the fact that some change in the Constitution must be effected; and having accepted the position of leader of the Opposition, Sir George Grey would have best consulted the interests of his party by giving at least a hint of the direction in which the Proyincialists consider a change to be necessary. But stirring and impassioned as Sir George Grey's speech undoubtedly is, there is not a sentence which can by any construction be read as recognising the necessity for.any change. This is' disappointing in the extreme. It will bo greatly so to the adherents of the Opposition, as it is undoubtedly to all those who agree upon the question of a change being necessary, but who are not committed to any plan laid down by Ministers, or by their most dogmatic supporters. In a few days wo shall probably have Sir George Grey's speech in full. We are sure it will read wel', and we know it will appeal strongly to the feelings and proclivities of Provincialists.