THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1879.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1699, 31 July 1879, Page 2

THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1879.

Events in the political -world Lave, during the present week, crowded on each other with startling rapidity. First the Ministry, having completely lost the confidence of the House, were defeated by a largo majority, and now the Governor has granted a dissolution on certain conditians boing complied with. Almost immediately the constituencies will havo to pass their verdict on the past actions of the Grey Government, by voting for the return of members favoring that party or by doing the contrary. Sir George Grey having chosen to appeal to the country at a time when the country might, on all grounds, have very well dispensed with such an appeal, it will bo suitable to examine what are his claims to the confidence of the electors. We publish in another column a letter from a correspondent, who appears to have been somewhat surprised at the panegyric of Sir George to be found in the columns of our evening contemporary. "We are not surprised that the fancy portrait drawn by the "Star" some what astonishod " Scrutator " for any thing more ludicrously unlike the original it is impossible to conceive. According to the " venerable for his white hairs, honourable for great services rendered to his Queen and country, and loveable for the tender sympathies he has ever manifested for the young, the weak, the wretched, the feeble, the oppressed." This sympathetic creature having retired from public life to his island homo, silently watched the development of events. Gradually be became aware that a great political crime was being accomplished under his very eyes, and that from the policy pursued would flow all the evils which oppress the peoples of the old nations of the earth. Seeing this he resolved to forsake his well-earned rest, and come forth once more to save a people. Such is the beautiful story that our contemporary has manufactured, and placed before its readers. The italics are our own, and are merely introduced to show that Sir George Grey is depicted as in the constant habit of emerging periodically, saving a nation or two, and then returning to the comfortable seclusion of his own firosido. The whole picture is very pretty and highly coloured. How unfortunate that it is so absurdly wide of the truth. In only two particulars is there indeed the slightest resemblance —namely, in tho facts that the Premier is old, and that, ho has done good service to his Queen and country. These two points conceded, we bog leave to think that the history of Sir Goorgo is very different from the one placed before us. In the first place, if wo are to judge by facts, he is not in the least remarkable for the tender sympathy credited to him. It is impossible to place the finger on any great social movement which ho has practically initiated. He has lately had great opportunities of doing good, but our hospitals, our gaols and institutions generally are in a worse condition than when he came into office. Ha has never shown tho least anxiety to ameliorate the condition of tho working man. The franchise is where it was beforo ho was Premier, and tho poor man has loss opportunity now than formerly of obtaining justice conveniently and cheaply, seeing that our lower courts of justice have of late boen worse managed than ever. He has driven capital from the country, and helped to create a distress which without his interference would havo been severe enough. Nor did ho leave his island home with a view of saving tho nation. Kawau is a very charming place for a picnic or for a philosopher, but tho monotony of existence there is not calculated to pleaso a man accustomed to a more stirring life, moro particularly an individual who has at all times had a doeidod hankering after power. It is not everybody that can descend, like the Roman Emperor, from tho exorcise of an extended authority to tho planting of cabbages. Sir Goorgo Groy loft Kawau moved solely by tho desire of satisfying his craving after oxcitement, the longing to play onco moro a part in public affairs, and the lust for autocratic power. Ho cared no moro for tho working man than a gambler cares for tho counters that are necessary for his game of chance. His temporary retirement may havo given him an opportunity of maturing tho fictions that ho was shortly to foist on a too confiding public, but in tho real interests of the masses lie was probably rather loss interested than in the welfare of tho animals on his estate. All this the public havo at last found out to their cost, and moro than this. Not only are his professions insincoro, but he has shown himself an utterly incompetent administrator, and has, moreover, done more to lower the standard of

political morality in the colony than the most outspoken hanger on Providence. To take his administration first. We will set aside his vapouriugs ahout selling tho Ministerial residences and all the nonsenso ho talked in the same strain, as beside the question, for nobody over grudged tho Ministers suitable houses within to disport themselves, nor did anybody ever wish out administrators to pose as sans-cutotte patriots. But Low ha\e the great departments been carried on ? "When Sir George Grey came into powor, Native affairs were flourishing; now wo are on tho brink of a Native war. Then our finances wore on a satisfactory footing, now the confusion in thorn and tho depression are terrible. Then tho Civil Service Lad at least a respectable status; now it is utterly disorganized. And then with regard to Sir Georgo Grey's influence mi tho political morality of tho community. What about his bribing the papers that supported his sido by giving them tho monopoly of Government advortising ? What about tho Tapanui and the Thames-Watkato railway jobs? Do not acts such as these debauch tho Press, the Civil Service, and tho public at large ? This is why Sir Georgo Grey is hated let ns toll tho " Star." The nation gave its interests into his hands, and he has frittered away his trust, or turned it to foul uses. He neither loves tho working man nor dors ho respect him, or ho would never have acted as he has done. No man tvi s lo lower the morality of those bo loves. Let tho working man bear theso facts in mind. Sir Georgo Grey will ere long once more endeavor to persuade those whom ho thinks ho can dupe that an intonso wish to bo useful to them is consuming him. But the hard logic of tho facts th.it have occurred during the past year will stare him in the face. " What have you done for us ?" will bo tho cry. " You have brought us to the brink of war, you have lowered our credit, you have disorganised our civil service," you have debauched tho public morality, you have broken all your promises, and now you come to us with the same old story, and expect us to believe you. No, Sir George, there is a limit to a l l things, and we now see through you." Lot the public reflect what anoiaar year of such maladministration as has occurred during the past one would effect. When a country drifts to leowai'd vndor incompotent hands it is hard work making up lost way, but when, in addition to the ground lost, an attempt is iiiad.3 by those in powor to rule on principles which do not commend themselves to honest miads it is time that tho public put down its foot and declared that it will have no more of it.