THE PREMIER’S VISIT TO THE THAMES.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1514, 23 December 1878, Page 3

THE PREMIER’S VISIT TO THE THAMES.

[By Telegeath.] [from the correspondent of the press.] Gbahamstown, December 21. commencement of the Thames-waikato railway. The Hinemoa made a capital passage of four hours. The passengers from Auckland were Sir George Grey, Mr Mitchell, Captain Wilson, Messrs Peacock, Phillips, Waddell, and Fleming. On arrival off Tararu, a paddle sf earner came off with Mr M'Culiough, Mayor, Air Brodie, County Chairman, and Air Davis, Chairman of the Harbor Board. On arrival at the Government Goods Wharf, Sir George Grey and party were enthusiastically welcomed by a large concourse of residents, amongst whom were Messrs Eowe, A1.11.E., R. Graham, and others.

Sir George Grey on landing was warmly cheered, and the procession moved up the wharf, headed by the Thames Scottish Volunteer’s Band, playing military airs. The flagstaff and principal business and dwelling houses were gaily decorated with bunting, and the Artillery fired a salute. On arrival at Mary street, Dr. Kilgour presented an address.

Sir George replied :—“ Dr, Kilgour and gentlemen —I will only say that it is with great delight that I find the inhabitants of the Thames hero to witness the opening of this railway, and it is with great satisfaction and pleasure that I render you my assistance. About two thousand were assembled at the reception ground. Sir George Grey then turned the sod in the orthodox manner, the band playing a spirited air. Addressing the assemblage Sir George Grey said—l trust that the railway which is inaugurated may prove a blessing and convenience to the inhabitants of the Thames, and may he the means of turning a large commerce from the interior of the country, to what I believe will be one of the great ports of New Zealand. I thank you all for having allowed mo the opportunity of assisting at the commencement of so great and noble an undertaking.

Messrs Peacock, Mayor of Auckland, Melton, Mayor of Parnell, and McMinn, M.H.R., also spoke, congratulating the district on the event. The school children sung the song, “My own Now Zealand homo,” after which Sir George expressed his thanks to them. A photograph was then taken of the group, and after a short drive an adjournment was made to the banquet. THE BANQUET. The banquet at half-past two in the Volunteer Hall was largely attended, those present including many ladies, the Mayor, Dr. Kilgour, in the chair, on his right Sir G. Grey, the guest, and the County Chairman, Mr Brodie, on his left; vice chair, Mr John Brown, County Councillor. The interior of the hall was decorated with evergreens. Over the chairman were the Royal arms and colors. Dr. Kilgour rose to propose the toast of “ Our illustrious friend, Sir George Grey.” [Tremendous cheering.] In doing so he expatiated upon the importance of the occassion, and necessity of settling an agricultural population in the Thames district. Sir G. Grey rose amidst tremendous cheering. Speight rising as head of the Templar movement and signalling his followers to cheer, upon which some thirty people, in various parts of the building, responded. When the cheering had subsided, Sir George Grey rose and said the scene reminded him of what he had tried to realise thirty-five years ago, when ho first visited the River Thames in company with Bishop Selwyn. Ho was then impressed with the future prospects of this district, and now realised the impressions which ho then formed. [Cheers.] He now saw a great city rising here. lie went on to say—lt is not my business on an occasion like this to make a political speech or allude to politics. Let me tell you this —I have heard it said that “ Grey will make a fine speech to you. Ho will tell you all about the public works policy.” Now I will tell you I was the first man who ever introduced a public works policy into a British colony. [Cheers.] I was the first man who ever proposed that a change should be established. I was the first man who ever recommended the British Government to establish a system upon which public works should bo carried out in one of her Majesty’s dominions, as upon my own recommendation, and own advice. I pointed out the Pnblic Works policy which was afterwards introduced into this colony. Now bear this in mind that the man who introduced the Pnblic Works policy had never had the difficulty to overcome that I had, for I found that it was impossible to persuade them that a public works policy was a proper task to enter upon. Notwithstanding all that has been said in investigation of the subject, I will show that I was the author of the plan fifteen years before it was introduced into this place. Now let me tell you the arguments that have been published lately. It is said this is a new country. I said —If the people have established themselves and have established produce farms in the country, produced exports, created wealth in various forms, if they have introduced nothing else, they have called into existence public credit, they have called into existence improvements through the country upon which great sums can bo raised fer development of its resources and the construction of more public works. It is as much our duty to use that product as it was to use the product which they raised from their farms. It is as much our duty to use our credit to open the country and to make great public works us to raise the grain and wheat and cat the bread which wo grow. Further, I said that which you will all feel, that these public works were to be for future times as well as for the present, and that those who succeed the existing generation should pay their fair share of those public works. Well, the subject was mooted by me, and created a great discussion. There are those here present who know that I introduced that at the Capo of Good Hope, that I there raised large sums of public money, that I there initiated railways, contracted for great harbor works ; that I there hud telegraphic communication, and established all that was done by the public money, raised exactly as it was raised here. After that had been done I returned to Great Britain, and that was the subject of discussion. I recollect one particular case in which my conduct was criticised by leading men of Great Britain. There were present fourteen or fifteen people, amongst others Lord John Russell, Sir G. Oorncwall Lewis, the present Lord Lawrence, the Lite Lord Halifax, the late Lord Macaulay, and the question was raised as to the advantage of a new country incurring debts which could only be repaid by posterity. Sir Corue wall Lewis was against me. He was a man of great caution, and very much overrated. That seems to bo generally known. Mr Gladstone was to some extent opposed (o mo, but in a very trilling degree. On the other hand ho supported me. The only great support I had was Lord Macaulay, lie was earnest in supporting the of the same system to other British possessions. J recollect his reasoning ; it was very singular. He was a man of infinite wit, a peculiar mind, of immense reasoning and research, great powers in conversation, and of great facility of applving them to any discussion he might raise. His argument was this : —“ ion have no right to burden posterity and indict any charge upon them that they could not have had an opportunity of assenting to.” Lord Macaulay said : —“ VYo all know that at Canton 100,000 Chinese have lately been executed. My opinion of that from this distance is this: after I heard of the great number of executions in China, I solemnly declared I was not so much affected by it as if I were

attacked by the complaint of gout in my hand, and yob in 100 years lienee the people will have to pay something for it, which will be deducted from their development." I

said wo could not tell what kind of people might bo here in Great Britain in 200 years lienee. The speaker then referred to the prospects of the Thames goldfields and the importance of agricultural settlement.