SIR GEORGE GREY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 102, 10 April 1875, Page 13

SIR GEORGE GREY.

Sib George Grey is all the rage in Auckland for the present. The press is offering him the flattering incense of praise, or rather of adulation to satiety. Yet it is difficult to see how he is to do us much good. When, he was Governor he was not, latterly at all events, in very good favor with the people, and some portion of the press, if my memory serve me right, went so far as to hint that he was a little gone in the head. Such was his obstinacy and selfwill. The part he played at the commencement and during the progress of that fatal and unnecessary war with the natives, which cost us so much blood and treasure, is it not written in the history of this province and colony. Does it say much for his sagacity aa a politician ? It would perhaps have been better for the province or the Maori had Sir George Grey never ruled the colony. He has published an address to the people, the burden of which seems to be that he will follow the multitude whithersoever they may lead. He will bow to a majority. No great merit in that. In accordance with this principle accordingly he will set the seal of his approbation to what is usually called the secular system of Government education. Under a Government like ours the will of the majority must prevail, be their decision just and reasonable or unjust and arbitrary. But there are public men of high principle, like Mr. O'Eorke, who will scorn to sanction an unjust principle or measure merely because it pleases a majority. If I judge Sir George Grey's address aright, he is not a man of that stamp. Our present form of Government seems good enough if it were only wisely and honestly administered. Far be it from me to say our present rulers ' are wanting in wisdom or honesty. But no form of Government will benefit the people if their rulers are destitute of theae qualifications. Can Sir George secure us the rijjht men P • Cwut.