THE PREMIER'S REPLY.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 94, 27 April 1876, Page 3

THE PREMIER'S REPLY.

(' Evening News.' The official artillery which erstwhile thundered in the Province of Auckland has now been pointed at Otago, and the great telegrammiadwith Sir George Grey has given place to a great memorandumniad with Mr Macandrew. The first great ministerial r broadside will be found in our other columns. It is not our purpose to follow in detail the statements of the PremierA That-gen-tleman, from the pinnacle of grandeur to which he has been elevated by the grace of a long-suffering people, having reduced Sir George,. Grey to his proper position by informing Him ■'■ that the Queen did not know who was .Superintendent of : Auckland, now makes his old friend, Mr Macandrew, Jeel small by informing him that '"-His Honors dreams have not realised what Abolition means." But this is. not all ; the whole people of Otago -are in the samo log about his noble projects, and," says this 1 great man, bf ■all: the simplerminded people down here, whom he: once: 'hon-,' ored by residing amongst them,' aud whom he • did' hbfrpafficularly "impress? with his great sagacity in the manage-, ment of financial matters—" The people on whoso behalf you speak, are similarly informed, andanthe. face ; pjAthe *want of acquantance with-tha effects of abolition, theiiv alleged opposition.; toAtL has little weight " - : -That; .the j man' ' tliat speaks in this style lias lost his head

requires no discussion ; and the impertinent assumption of superior intelii* gence, and the quiet contempt with which he affects to regard the people of this Province would be irritating if it were not intensely ludicrous. We assume, however, for the sake of peace, that it is all true. The people of" Otago are flats — dullards all." They cannot understand the magnificent propositions of Abolition. It may ba to their shame, and they are sorry for it, but they can't help it". They know 1 that they have certain great' present advantages. Stupid as they are they can see that. They know that they may lose these, and they have a dull, stupid kind of liking for the old threadbare proverb, ".A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." They admit, it may be, the' pretty plumage ol the birds that Sir Julius is for ever starting as he from time to time shakes the shrubbery. But these seem so shy, and so unlikely to catch, that they still clutch the old bird they have, and don't like to let it slip. It is an old-country, Scotch-like way they have, and seeing and believing that, however it may be with other provinces, they have eveiything to lose and seemingly nothing to gain by change, the people of Otago are dull of comprehension in relation to these things. It may be as well to plead guilty to the stupidity with which Sir Julius charges us. He knows how some people don't understand — in fact, don't hear even — what they don't like. No doubt he has known people of that sort. That is just the way with us. We do not question the splendid story of what Abolition is going to do — that it will retain all our land fund, and give us even more, perhaps. But we are just content with what we have. We don't want any other people's goods, and we can manage our own affairs without the paternal care of Wellington officials. No magnificent picturing, no coaxing or wheedling, will make us feel otherwise ; .and if Wellington, thinks that by physical force it can bring Otago to think differently it had better come on.