SIR GEORGE GREY’S MEETING.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1250, 21 March 1878, Page 3

SIR GEORGE GREY’S MEETING.

FfiOM THE PIATFOEM. [from the press.] An anecdote is told of Moore, the poet, to the following effect:—A gentleman, calling on a farmer living near to the poet, asked if Mr Moore, the celebrated poet, didn't live hereabouts. He received for answer that the nearest neighbour's name was certainly Moore; that he was a daft sort of a man, who scribbled rhymes ; but whether he was the poet the deponent knew not. This story illustrates the fact that a celebrated man may be unknown to his nearest neighbour ; and it serves also to illustrate Sir George Grey's case by way of contrast. Sir George is known to every man, woman, and child (especially the children) in New Zealand. It is_ probable that some of our New Zealand premiers have been unknown even by name to a large number of their fellow-countrymen ; it is not possible that the name of Sir George Grey can be unknown to any of them. Thanks to daily telegrams in our newspapers, the Premier is as well advertised as any of the many public persons who cater for our amusement. And so on Saturday evening, although the notice was of the shortest, ft crowded hall (the enlarged Oddfellows' Hall) awaited his appearance with impatience. Thanks to the courtesy of the Mayor, I was provided with a ticket which admitted me to a seat on the platform; and from thence I obtained a good view of the audience, and heard (as well as mv deafness will permit) every word which fell from the Premier's lips. I had been told that he was eloquent — that his "diction was polished." And I anticipated a treat. I must confess to being disappointed. Neither compliment (except as a compliment) is deserved. His speech was disconnected and rambling as to the matter, it was not above the conversational level as to the style, it was wanting in force and vigour as to the manner. Yet the Premier possesses some excellent qualities for a public speaker. He is slow and deliberate ; ready (in a slow way) to avail himself of an adversary's argument or mischance, and able to turn it to account. And finally, his inventive power is amazing. Sir George might have risen to the distinction of being a poet. On arriving at the hall at a quarter-past seven, I found the hall was in darkness, and that the doors were still closed. A large crowd surged around the main entrance, and blocked up the street. Having reached the back entrance, by which the platform is approached, I was preparing to explore the new platform, when I was somewhat alarmed by a sound as of falling chimneys, which continued falling. Rushing to the door leading to the platform, the phenomenon was explained to me. The hall had been lighted up, the doors had been opened, and now the " many headed," " hornyhanded sons of toil," were filling up the available space. At each door there was a goodhumored struggle, and then as the human wedge was driven into space by the human hammer behind, there was a rush of hobnailed boots across the wide floor, in search of the best points of vision. This continued, creating immense clatter, until the hall below was well filled. In the ladies' gallery above were some thirty ladies. In the meanwhile the platform, where your amateur critic had a seat, was rapidly filling. As each fresh person entered either of the doors by which the platform is entered, the "free and independent electors " welcomed him with playful marks of distinction, suited either to well-known characteristics of the new arrival, or to the notions of the] audience. These attentions served at least to while away some twenty minutes or half an hour.

At last all was ready, every seat was full, and we waited with some impatience the rising (metaphorically) of the curtain, and the entrance of the players. A quarter of an hour late S.ir George arrived, accompanied by "Honest Farmer" Fisher, and by his Worship the Mayor. Uproarious welcome. When silence was restored, his Worship arose, and asked in loud commanding tones, " Is the hallkeeper in attendance?" Renewed cheering, which lasted until the spirit called upon emerged from the " vasty deep." While the hallkeeper was letting in the much needed freeh air, hi« Worship offered bis few re-

marks introductory of Sir George, who at I their close stepped before the curtain. He began by complimenting his audience upon their critical sagacity ; a compliment which, judging from the reception which his speech received, was well deserved. After the compliment came a short biographical sketch of that interesting character, Sir George Grey, and his career—commencing with that individual when he was regarded and described by his foud parents as " Promising George;" a character which, judging from his replies to the numerous deputations of Saturday, he still merits. In his mature years he had presided over the childhood of several States, and had given them constitutions, lie had furnished New Zealand with the freest constitution that the then British Government would permit; he had given one even more liberal to Natal; he had recommended for the whole of the South African dominion one so advanced that he had been removed from his position in consequence of the recommendation. Hence his audience should have confidence in him! He was not the wild visionary that his enemies represented him to bo. Biographies are proverbially interesting, yet that of Sir George Grey did not prove so on this occasion. The audience were impatient of thin interesting narrative, adorned with so much that was absolutely novel. There was a noise as of people leaving the hall. I looked up. Yes, there was no doubt. People were certainly moving outwards. This would never do. So the speaker plunged into the question of manhood suffrage. Everyone should have a vote, even the drunkard in the gutter. But strange even this did not do more than arrest a passing attention. "The critical" audience had taken the speaker's measure. Finding his hearers still unmoved, Sir George brought out his stock trick. He introduced the working man and his wife, with their six small children, the little ones making sacrifices for the good of the country, by wearing clothes, consuming food, and, alas, even taking medicine. The obdurate heart of the "many headed " is reached. The breathless silence is proof, so on again. But the same apathy steals over the audience again after tbe lapse of a few minutes. This time Sir George dispersed it by a series of pertinent questions, such as, " Is it honest to put your hand into your neighbour's pocket and take his money without his consent ? " [No, no, and cheers.] But you can't ask questions all night, so in due course Lhcy came to a close, and the audience again relapses. " Most inelastic audience," whimpers mj right hand neighbour. Now just in front of the platform was an elector with a h o 'ht wide-awake on the side of his head, who manifested considerable interest in Sir George, This elector was certainly not a Good Templar. I thought he was an Irishman, so evidently did Sir George. And he turned his idea into ready money. He appealed to the wrongs of Ireland (he was speaking now of class legislation), and the great famine with the millions of deaths from starvation —the result of class legislation, gentlemen, I assure you, and have I nob governed three provinces. This was a bait to the Irish if there were any present. But none rose to the fly. So anon one is thrown to the "hardy sons of Caledonia," with a like result. The Premier was beside himself, so in came the working man, his wife, and six children again, and secured immediate attention. Here I may say that fifteen times during his speech of an hour and a half were these unhappy children presented to the audience. Sometimes with parental accompaniment, sometimes without. So fond is the old Knight of the infantile world, that once he went so far as to bring upon the stage children that were yet unborn—a feat which succeeded in greatly amusing his hearers. The children trick, I see, was repeated with variations at Woolston last evening, see the following extract from the report of the Wools! on meeting:—"They were interested both for themselves and their children, because their children had to contribute towards the taxation. Then the fathers of families had a right to have the power of saying what amount of taxation they should contribute—[cheers] — and also to see that the rich and wealthy phould contribute their fair share to the taxation of the country. While at Hokitika he hiw 800 children drawn up to meet him, and the thought came across his mind that each one of those little beings had to give up something every year to contribute towards the taxation. Then he thought of the large tracts of public lands —in which each of those children have an interest as much as the richest and most influential man in the colony—held at a most inadequate rental by persons who lived in England upon the proceeds of these lands, and who contributed not one penny towards the taxation of the colony to which these little children had to contribute. [Cheers.] Then the thought came across his mind, " Will the fathers of New Zealand help me to relieve these children of the burdens which now were imposed upon them, and place it upon the shoulders of those who were the right persons to bear it? " When the children trick failed to interest them, Mr Gladstone was trotted out, and declared to be " with" Sir George Grey on numerous matters. When either or both of these topics failed to interest them, " Promising George," in his many characters, was a never-failing stand-by. The audience learnt that he had governed three states, and all but given three constitutions to the world; that he was an eminent engineer, and " Jack of many trades" besides. Still the audience remained inelastic, and the speech was more than half over. Sir George was now dealing with the Canterbury runholders (not that particular runholdcr who, voting with Sir George, was permitted to transfer his sheep to his market in Government trucks at a nominal charge, to the injury of our commerce and the loss of our revenue, but he was dealing with the runholders, minus that particular runholder), when some one on the platform interjected a contradiction. The cool-headed speaker had got what he wanted. He stopped, and, looking round upon the Moated aristocrats, he asked, "Who spoke?" There was silence, and then, amid the silence, the author of the interjection rose from his seat, as if he would say, " Here I am; do your worst." Sir George fixed him "with his eye." The audience became excited, an uproar followed, during which the author of the interjection remained resolutely afoot. At last silence was restored, and Sir George continued. He had the ear of the audience now. They had scented blood from afar, and were excited. The speaker knew his hour had come, and piled on the agony. His subject—the rich man and the beggar ; the pampered gentleman made rich by the exertion of the horny-handed sons of toil; the squatter rolling in wealth and the hard worked laboring man—all due to class legislation. Would they submit to this ? [No, no.] They would be slaves if they did. [Hear, hear.] And so on to a rattling finish, amid thundering applause. No sooner had Sir George sat down than up rose the member for the city of Christchurch, well known to be in opposition to Sir George. "We won't hear him." Such is the fiat. In vain the speaker essays to obtain a hearing. Boohoo is afoot, and has possession of the floor. Over the din are heard the words " Thanks to the Premier " falling from Mr Stevens' lips, and thero is silence. They were like oil on the troubled water. All that Mr Stevens had wanted to say, misguided men, was that Sir George deserved a vote of thanks! There were now calls for the huge Montgomery (large capitals will alone express the pronunciation of the audience, and the importance of the person). And when he stood before a silent audience (for he was an avowed supporter of Sir George) he found it difficult to balance his unwieldy person—he would and he wouldn't. To the vote of thanks we might add a little more. This meeting might express its confidence that Sir George Grey believes that what he- recommends is for the good of the country. A lino-sounding proposition. It contains the word confidence, and yet it commits the proposer to nothing but a belief that Sir George is neither an impostor nor a humbug. So explained by its proposer, the addition to the original resolution is harmless. But a voice is heard from the floor—it is that of the worthy doctor. He is commending Sir George Grey's "polished diction." Oh, doctor, doctor, how can you ? Polished polished ; I'faith, you are right; it was a polished speech. The doctor is an admirer of Sir George, it is evident. So the many headed cry—to the platform to the platform! 1 hither the

worthy doctor ascends with difficulty. Once he was full of compliments to the"Preniier. (I forgive them all now.) The audience cheered him to the echo. When presently he asked—What was it that made Canterbury Iso prosperous ? Her laud fund. Where is that land fund now ? Gone. Who has taken it ? This Alaric of the North, who has enchained us by his eloquence. This was too much for Boohoo, who thereupon did as he was wont. When he was again pacified, the doctor was allowed to continue. Who are rolling in wealth ? he asked. John Studholme, William Robinson, Bobby Rhodes, and Moore of Glenmark. How did they obtain their wealth ? They obtained the pick of the lands of Canterbury and Nelson at 10a an acre ; and from whom ? From Sir George Grey, while he was administering the Government of New Zealand. The Greyites could not stand any more pills of this description, so the doctor retired victorious, and there were calls for " Rolleston, Rolloston," who attempted to respond in a i well delivered speech, but Boohoo was too ( much even for his well known persistence. ' After struggling against the fates (below) for some twenty minutes, as they made no sign of relenting, and as Sir George, in whose interests Boohoo was behaving, did not intend to be generous, Mr Rolleston at length retired. After this a young man by the name of Guppy essayed a performance, and wished to know why the working man should not have a vote, and be as well educated as other persons ? Why indeed ? But the audience would not reply, nor allow him to continue his catechism. So he, too, retired. And the silence was great when Sir George arose to reply. He was thankful all round; every speaker, friend or foe, had enabled him, by liis remarks, to clear away some obscurity in Sir George's public career, and very happily did Sir George clear away every obscurity—except that of the Proudfoot case; that of the truck business; and that of Moore of G-lennmrk and the 10s an acre. These were but little spots—and there are spots upon the sun. These spots but grace the brightness of our New Zealand sun. So let them remain. And now it is time to take the show of hands. The amendment first. " All who are in favor of the amendment, 'That this meeting has confidence that Sir George Grey believes that what lie proposes is for the good of the country,' hold up your hands." The hands and the hats of one-fifth of the meeting appear in the body of the hall. "On the contrary," only some thirty or forty—principally of those upon the platform. The amendment is carried by one-fifth of the large meeting. And as it is now eleven o'clock, it is time for bed. To which I retire with the following reflections : what a lot of noise two hundred people can make ! If Sir G-eorge Grey was a younger man what a capacity for mischief he possesses ! And, if lie is allowed the proverbial " rope enough " he will not falsify the proverb !