THE PREMIER IN AUCKLAND

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1729, 4 September 1879, Page 3

THE PREMIER IN AUCKLAND

AUCKLAND, September 3.

Sir Q-. Grey met the electors of Auckland at the Theatre Royal last night. Hundreds were unable to obtain admission. Mr D. H. McKenrie, chairman of the Harbor Board, occupied the chair. The Premier commenoed to speak with reference to the favor which the Liberal policy was meeting with from the ends of the colony, and said that the movement had commenced in New Zealand respecting land, and that people had taken it up now in England, and tha arguments he used two or three years ago were the very arguments now being used by Mr Bright at Home. Hewsnt on to speak of the progress of Liberalism, and in doing bo accused the Opposition leaders of In-

sincerity. For if the views they now professed had their favor, they would not for to long a period and with suoh persistency, have obstructed their passage through the House. He then passed on to refer to many anomalies of representation throughout the colony, to the existence of pocket boroughs, etc., and in this connection he accused the Opposition of delaying the necessary reforms. He also made the same charge with regard to manhood suffrage and the inoome tax. He next alluded to the attempt of the Legislative Council to establish for themselves privileges peculiar to the British House of Peers, and dwelt upon the efforts they had made to control, and reeul&te the decisions of the Lower House. He took exception to the attempt he alleged to be made in the direction of forming a bastard aristocracy, distinguished by a title suoh as " Hon." He thought the Crown had no power to create new titles. They might, for instance, make him Duke of "Kawau, and call him "Your Grace," while out of New Zealand he was nobody, and so it was with these distinctions. These titles cost the Mother Country nothing, but were cheap measures of purchasing for the existing New Zealand Government acquiescence to their measures. He condemned the practice of Legislative Councillors resigning to contest for the Lower House, saying that such things would create a tumult in England, thus making a convenience not only of the title, but of the Upper Chamber, which was a safe retreat for defeated partisans. He was opposed to representation being based on area of land in addition to population, for that meant exceptional representation of sheep and their owners. , Taxation, he contended, should be upon what was now known us equality of sacrifice. He defended his action with respect to the Maori dual vote.' For the Upper Chamber had desired the immediate deprivation of a privilege which the Maoris had enjoyed for years, while he merely wished it delayed for a session, so that discontent might not be the result. After dealing with the land system, from which England was endeavoring to free herself, and indicating the possibilities that might have accrued from the operation of a more charitable system, he went on to indicate what might be New Zealand's future if her policy was liberal, her councillors enlightened, and her people united and determined on battling for right. Sir Gh Grey sat down amidst prolonged and deafening oheers. In compliance with calls of the audience, Messrs Tolo, Swanson, Stark, Wallis, O'Korko, Hurst, Moss, and Speight addressed the meeting, expressing themselves staunch supporters of Sir G. Grey. The following resolution, moved by Mr Boylan, seconded by Mr Thompson, was carried—" That the thanks of this meeting be accorded to Sir G. Grey, Premier of New Zealand, for his able address, and this meeting affirms that it has full confidence in Sir G. Grey as leader of tha Liberal party."