VISIT OF SIR GEORGE GREY

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 175, 22 March 1878, Page 2

VISIT OF SIR GEORGE GREY

As has been previously notified in this journal, a telegram was sent to Sir George Grey, requesting that he would visit Akaroa before his return to Wellington. This request the Premier was pleased to grant, and in accordance with a telegram from him, stating that he would leave Lyttelton for this port by the Hinemoa, about noon on Wednesday last, preparations wore made by His Worship the Mayor (Mr H. G. Watkins), and the members of the Borough Council, together with the chief and oldest inhabitants of the place, to give him a cordial and h'early welcome. The town was gaily decked out with flags of all nations and colors, and long before the time for the arrival of the steamer, quite a crowd of people—Europeans and Maoris—had assembled on, and in the vicinity of, the wharf, in eager expectation for the coming of Sir George Grey. At about a quarter to five o'clock the Hinemoa came in sight round the point at Green's reef, and in a very short time was alongside the wharf, when three cheers were given for the Premier. As soon as the gangway was fixed, Mr W. Montgomery, M.H.R., for Akaroa, landed, followed by the Premier, who was then presented by His Worship the Mayor with the following address, which was read in a most impressive and able manner by the Town Clerk, Mr A. I. McGregor :— "To the Honorable Sir George Grey, X.C.8.. Premier of New Zealand, , " We, the Mayor, Councillors, and Burgesses of the Borough of Akaroa, welcome yon once again ; not only as the first Minister of the colony, in which we have the happiness to live, but as a statesman, whose administrative abilities in ruling many dependencies of the British Crown have been the means of laying their present prosperity, and as an author, whose excursions into the fields of native and Polynesian lore, have beer! recognised as the work of a scholar. The spot is within view where the British standard first floated on the breezes of the Middle Island, and the story of the colonization of New Zealand since that day has been one of steady progress, much of which is attributable to your high capacity for governing, and your method of dealing with the native race. Owing to our peninsula position, we have, to a great extent, been shut off from the rest of the colony, and have not participated in the advantages of those public works which have done so much to develop the resources of the country.

" During the session of 1876, a Bill was passed through both Houses of the Assem bly, having for its object the reclamation of 40,000 acres from the waters of Lake Ellesmere, and by the proceeds of the sale of laud so reclaimed, construct a railway to connect this harbor with the trunk lines of the Middle Island. Possessing one of the finest natural harbors in New Zealand, we may confidently expect that the Government, instead of encouraging experimental harbors, will, turn their attention to those for which nature has already done so much. The report of. the Trust will be laid before the next session of Parliament, and the Government asked to further promote the work. By assisting aud carrying out the scheme, the Government will only be aiding in what is really a colonial undertaking, by opening the fertile plains of Canterbury to the markets of the world. We hail as an important step in this direction, the erection of a lighthouse on the Peninsula. Our more local requirements, in the matter of new public buildings, postal arrangements, &c, have already been represented to your Government, and we feel satisfied that those representations will receive that attention to which, along with the rest of the colony, we are entitled.

"On the great questions which are likely to agitate the Parliament during coining session, those addressing you take a warm interest. We believe that the representation ot the people is the bulwark against a limited class exercising political power, at the same time we wish to see property fairly taxed and fairly represented. The tone of political parties in a State always influences the character of the people, and we are sure no effort will be wanting on your part to elevate the tone of Parliament, and thus raise the moral and intellectual condition of the masses. " We recognise in your recent advent to power, that a blow has been struck at the system of government by families, so repugnant to our free institutions, and which can only lead to the degradation of the people. We trust you will long be spared in health and vigor to take that leading part in directing the destinies of our adopted land, and in assisting to increase the knowledge and happiness of our free race, which is the highest privilege of a statesman, and the most precious part of the wealth of nations. 41 (Signed) "H. G. Watkins, Mayor." In reply, Sir G. Grey expressed himself as being exceedingly obliged for tbe beautiful address that had been presented to him, and said that Akaroa was a place that he had known for many years, and to which he was very much attached. It would afford him great pleasure to promote in any way the prosperity of the place.

Some of the principal officials, leading men of business, and the old settlers who were present were then introduced, after which Sir George Grey, accompanied by the Mayor, Mr W. Meech, Chairman of the School Committee, and others visited the Government School, where the children were all assembled under the able management of Mr Nicholls, assisted by the teachers.

'The Premier stated the pleasure that it gave him to visit the school, and to see so many happy young faces around him, and, having expressed his satisfaction at the discipline, order, &c, of the school, concluded his visit by asking Mr Nicholls to give a holiday to the children on the next day, which was granted, the announcement being received by the school with prolonged cheering. It being the wish that the Premier should address the public, in default of obtaining the Town Hall, which was already engaged, Sir George was asked, and consented to address them on the grounds of Wagstaff's Hotel, and thither, as it was now getting rather late, the Premier at onc-e proceeded. Having arrived at the hotel, some little time being given to allow of the public assembling, His Worship introduced Sir George in a few appropriate words. Sir George Grey, who was received with cheers, said that it gave him much pleasure to address the inhabitants of Akaroa. He had always considered'it'the"most beautiful spot in New Zealand.'lt a-uS very different here from the noise and bustle of large towns *• . here .there was a sense of peace and repose which enabled one to speak more naturally. It was the intention of the Government to introduce certain laws, and he thought that the people should know the laws that were intended to be introduced. There was no Press in the colony like that in the old country, and very often laws were passed which the people knew nothing about. For this reason he had now striven to make public the intended course of action of the Government, so that if they approved of that course they would know it, and if they disapproved of it, they could make it known and oppose it through their representatives. The ancient Greeks were the greatest nation in the world. Among them every man had a voice in the legislature. Every man had a right to have a say in the management of the State, and from this was created tlie most enlightened people in the world, and no evil effects resulted. The people of New Zealand [ should know every law of importance, and ' thus the knowledge of legislature would be increased. He thought it was a bad law for the people, that if a man gets a small property and improves it, spends his all on it, and of course values it highly, was it not hard that that property should be valued higher every year, so that the the rates increase in proportion to the improvements, so that really the owner increases his own taxation. Take the other case of the man of large property who never improves it, his rates remaiiythe same year after year, whilst the industrious man, who is a good colonist, is adding to his taxation by his own labor, the rich man really getting a premium for his idleness. There was another matter that was very unfair. A largo revenue was derived from taxes, every man, woman, and child being taxed equally. The poor man with a large family paid moie than the rich man with a small fsmily, such revenue going to the formation of public works which benelittlie latter. The taxation should be so adjusted that each man, each company, pays to the State in proportion to benefits derived from the State. Take a*> an instance the school that he had visited to-day ; it was hard that that school should suffer to improve some wealthy man's estate by bringing a railway through his property. The Goverement proposed therefore, to introduce a Land Tax. This tax would not press hard on anyone ; he was prepared to say that, in the case of a property of small value, such a property would not be taxed ; but, after that, the

tax would be according to the value of landed property. They were the best friends to the landowners in taking this course, and they would benefit by it._ Sir George then proceeded his opinion that the public should benefit--from the large properties, and said that in addition to the Land Tax, an electoral system" would be introduced, whereby every adult male who had resided for a stated time in any electoral district should have a vote, not as it was now when a lot of Chinese, it may be, by merely paying £1 for a miners-right had the power to vote, not knowing in the least what they were doing, and merely voting as they were instructed. But if a man resided, say twelve months in one district, then he would have a vote, as to a certain extent he had given a guarantee of citizenship, and as he paid rates, taxes. &c, was justly entitled to a vote. He argued further that parents had no right to allow so much to be taken from their children by taxation without knowing what it was for. It. was incumbent on them to know what the money was spent on, and for that reason every one should to a certain extent attend to politics in the interest of himself and his family. He should think if the law was for the good of his children or himself and should fearlessly act up to his opinions. This would give each man self-reliance, and self-respect as feeling himself an important unit of a nation. Again, representation should be equally divided, and apportioned, then there would be no rotten Boroughs, no Ministerial interest. They proposed, also, to alter the Land Laws, which had hitherto been unfair. Free selection was an admirable measure, but it had been abused. Wealthy men got land, and what is termed " gridironed " it, that is, the country was loid off in blocks containing a section of 20 acres, then one of 19 acres, then another of 20 acres, then another of 19 acres, and so on. They could not purchase less than 20 acres, so that the 20 acre sections were purchased, and the 19 acres remained unpurchased. Thus the rest of the public were shut ont, which was a great wrong, and unlawful, and was sacrificing the community to the individual who desired to occupy, twice as much land as he had purchased. He (Sir George) was of opinion that the large runs should be broken up ; by so doing there would be many more happy homesteads, and more families obtaining a living, and there would be less absenteeism. Instead of the lease of these runs terminating in 1880, they had been extended to 1890, so that there yet remained thirteen years more of grievous wrong to the people. A reform in the land laws was most necessary. He had tried to get free education for all; now every child pays for its education; every father has to deprive his family of something to provide it. In conclusion, he would remind his hearers that they were all greater men than they thought themselves, as with them rested the foundation of a great nation. They should therefore Avatch carefully every law, and so build up a nation that he felt sure was destined to be a very great one. He. would ask them to help the Government when they were doing right, and when they considered the Government were not doing right, not to hesitate to step,in. and stop them. ; .Opposition was useful, even if violent, and he considered as a positive 'friend one who opposed him. because it made bim consider his actions more closely and carefully. The inhabitants of Akaroa might rest assured, that so far as the Government could, they would assist them. (Prolonged cheering.) ' '•

Mr Waeckerle, in a few appropriate sentences, moved a cordial vote of thanks to Sir George Grey for meeting them, and for his excellent address, and also that this meeting have confidence in his Government. The Rev. W. Aylmer seconded the motion. Mr W Montgomery, who rose in response to repeated cries of Montgomery, said, he did not intend to inflict a long speech upon them, as only two months ago he must have pretty well exhausted their patience. (Cries of no! no!) and had then given his views of the policy he thought best for New Zealand. His views ,had ript changed" in the least, but he wouldwish to make a few remarks: There had been a cry raised that'Sir 1 George was striving for a class legislation, but this was only done to alarm the timid. As a supporter of the Government, he had seen no signs of anything of the kind, and as the representative of this district, they might rest assured, if he found any such policy, any placing of one class before the other, that he would be a strong opponent to such a line of action. A cry of this kind tended to do a great deal of harm. The state of the esse was, that great changes had taken place. The time was when Government was confined to a few ruling wealthy families, and when Sir G. Grey and others touched upon the j privileges enjoyed by these rich people who had so long influenced the Government; then, of course, a cry was raised. But they would see-if the laws proposed were not for the"pnhlic good. Two parties were rapidly being formed—Conservatives and Liberals—the former desiring laws for the few, the latter laws for the many ; for himself he was a Liberal—(applause)—and intended to support the Government to the best of his ability, and be true to his colors. He hoped the people would scan the character of their public men, and that the Government would stick to their principles, the men composing it being men of the highest attainments and ability. He trusted the meeting would give a cordial vote of thanks to Sir George Grey. His Worship the Mayor then put the motion, which was carried unanimously amid loud applause. Sir G. Grey thanked the meeting for the vote of thanks, and promised to assist the representative of the district in every way possible. (Cheers). Sir G. Grey then proposed a vote _ of thanks to tlie Chairman, and the meeting terminated. The Premier, assisted by the Rev. W Stack, was then waited on by a deputation of Maoris, which occupied some considerable time, after which an adjournment Was made to dinner, at Wagstaff's Hotel, the catering for which reflects the highest credit on Host Wagstaff. At the conclusion of tlie dinner, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given. The healths of Sir George, the Hon. Mr Fisher, W. Montgomery, Esq., the Mayor, and the Chairman of the County Council were drunk with three times three. The party broke up at an early hour, Sir George proceeding to the Town Hall to be present at the tea meeting in connection with the

Presbyterian Church. At the conclusion of the meeting Sir George embarked on board the Hinemoa en route for Wellington, carrying with him, we believe, the sympathies and good wishes of all who had the pleasure of meeting him.