SIR G. GREY, THE TACTICIAN.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1243, 1 March 1878, Page 3

SIR G. GREY, THE TACTICIAN.

“F.” in the “Nelson Mail” has the following : Sir George Grey is unequalled as a tactician. But as mere assertion without proof is valueless, let me adduce evidence in support of my opinion. Last Thursday week night Sir George addressed a crowded and enthusiastic meeting in Wellington, and this was how he commenced:—“ Mr Chairman and Gentlemen—At length one of the longings of many years is about to be gratified. 1 have long yearned to speak to the people of Wellington,” &c. From the moment of uttering that sentence he, of course, carried his audience with him. It was quite natural that they should reciprocate the great man’s yearnings to talk to them by an equally irreprcssjble yearning to listen to him, and to endorse ail that he said. It did not, so far as we know, occur to one of them that it was a remarkable coincidence that the yearning by which the speaker had been inconvenienced for so long had only proved unconquerable two days before an election, in which they were to say whether they would send to Parliament a member who would oppose or would support him. It was quite enough for them toknow that Sir George had yearned to meet them face to face ; they were battered by the assurance, and consequently were enthusiastic in their admiration of him by whom it was uttered. Yes, Sir George is a prince among tacticians. Then again he promised to visit Nelson on his way to the Coast, but changed, bis mind at the last moment, and instead of saving that circumstances hud altered his plans he telegraphed to the Mayor that he , hiifi postponed the pleasure to which ho had been looking forward because “ old associations make me desire to spend a few days in Nelson.” When the Premier of the colony thus Hatters our vanity, what can we do but smirk apd smile, and become inllated with a souse of our importance ? Once more, I say, for the exercise of ecnoumtnato tact Sir George is not to be beaten.