SIR GEORGE GREY AT CHRISTCHURCH.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 5311, 8 May 1884, Page 2

SIR GEORGE GREY AT CHRISTCHURCH.

_ (PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Christchuboh, May 8. Sir George Grey addressed a meeting of 2500 people in Christchurch last night, the Mayor iti, the chair. Sir George was received with prolonged "cheers." Referring to his last speech, he claimed to be really the member for Chrißtchurch, and predicted that the day would come when the resolution depriving him of that honor • would be I expunged from the records of the- House. He then reviewed the early history of Canterbucy" settlement, tracing to it mostofjbhe i ilKnow felt by the people, saying that when Canterbury was formed the chief men Baid they had no slaves, and so they made laws "whereby laborers were to continue laborers fora certain time, in order to. supply the labor done in ancient Greece by tbe elavea. He alluded to his own exertions. as Governor in resisting the endowment of a State Church and other' similar proposals, and pointed out the monopoly of power by the. large landowners, and' the hardships consequently inflicted on- the poor by the rich. As a remedy, he most strongry urged a -land tax; which would reach the unearned increment. Railway rates and other things were of minor importance. This was the primary object. " They should at all hazards place in power men who would adopt this tax, and. then they might talk about land nationalisation, but not before. He complained of Government using Parliamentary forms to try and silence and burke his Bills. He ridiculed the National Insurance scheme, and condemned the action of the Governor, in appointing delegates to the- Federal Conference,' and 'also condemned . federation itself. Regarding native land, he"thought the natives should sell their land through the Government in small blocks at a fair but opt exhorbitant prices. In reply to a question whether he would follow- Mr Montgomery," Sir George Grey said* he. had resigned the leadership of the Opposition, but was able to walk alone and do what was right and just. He would not make terms with anyone.