POLITICS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2246, 10 May 1881, Page 3

POLITICS.

To the Tditor of the Oloie, Sib, —In discussing pure politics, it is distressing to bo forced to turn aside to correct such ignorance as is shown by “Lytteltonian.” First, here is a true sketch of Sir George Grey. Nearly fifty years ago he left Ireland, and, at risk of his life, explored North-western Australia, to find a new home for freemen. He received a spear-wound in the leg, which still troubles him. He nearly died of starvation, and after years of effort became a Governor. About that time these colonies were under a “devilish tyranny.” (I quote from the Sydney history). “ They spared no man in their anger, and no woman in their lust." Earl Grey at home, and Sir George out here, helped to upset that, and to found free, self-ruling nations. After forty years’ hard work Sir George Grey was invalided. As Governor he had only had power to take the advice of Ministers. Retired, he found that the colonial anohocrats had done three things :—(1) Broken tho Constitution Act by plural voting ; (2) sat down, like dogs in a manger, on enormous landed estates; (3) taxed us without representation. He stepped down into the arena ; and who, that loves mankind or his country, can blame the good old fellow ? Grey sent for 6000 able-bodied men—not paupers. Vogel and Beach laid that plot against Grey in order to trample our liberties under foot, and hero was the slap in the teeth given to them by tho labourers of Christchurch : “ Trying to found nations of vagabonds on tho old policy of the Colonial Office.” Unless we get a quarter of a million more taxpayers into New Zealand we shall go to tho wall. Grey moved “ to open all the lands without deposit to small settlors.” Andrews voted against it. “ Hansard ” tells that, and ft great deal more, about Mr Andrews, and that is why he dislikes it. It you settle tho people they employ themselves and others too. The land belongs to the people, yet this week a Bob Cooper buys 190,000 acres and 37,000 acres. Mr Stevens and Mr Allwright approve ; but tho Liberals BS lc “ If this goes on, where will the children and grand-children of the Lytteltonians live ?” Answer—” As slaves on their masters’ property.” Our friend falls into a few errors about me—“ Only poor

men should represent.” I never _ said so. A scholar! I said. Lyttelton contains many brighter than the writer. Then the paint pots. I meant no offence ; only a translation of the old saw—Let the cobbler stick to his last ! Politics are the moat abstruse and difficult of all sciences, yet every idiot is a politician. How’s that ? A classical education is, in my judgment, myself being the sufferer, a bad education. I object to the curriculum of our schools. By scholar I meant one who had really learnt science and history. My sole object was to show that Mr Allwright was unconsciously opposed to all liberal ideas ; that he, in fact, is a high Tory, and does not know it. To represent Lyttloton! Never dreamed of it, for three reasons—(l.) The laws 1 propose are too strong, too searching, too great a reform to come from any other than a large leading constituency; (2) I have no interest in Lyttelton; (3) it is bad to follow the example of Moorhouso and others, beaten in large, running to small, places. Lyttelton is too good a place for Liberals to lose, and they have no need to have one who ratted for a member. Yours, &0., J. W. TREADWELL.