THE Grey River Argus. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1867.

Grey River Argus, Volume IV, Issue 258, 7 September 1867, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1867.

It is to be hoped that the Annexation Committee will lose no time ill carrying out the work entrusted to it. The time has arrived for at once taking the proper steps for bringing the request of the inhabitants before the General Assembly, and not a moment should be lost, if auy advantage is to be taken of the present session of Parliament. In all probability the session will not last more than a few weeks, and to secure anything like ample consideration the presentation of the petition sliould tot be allowed to remain until tlie extreme fag end of the sitting. The petition ought to be all signed and ready for conveyn.nee to Wellington not later than the end of the ensuing week. As far as we have been able to learn "the plan proposed by the Committee is to send a delegate or delegates in charge of the petition, in order that every possible aid niay be enlisted both at Nelson and Wellington. Simply to forward the petition without taking extraordinaiy steps to secure its advocacy in the House, would be to consign it to that bourne from which, no document returns — underneath the. table. In matters of this kind skilful diplomacy is absolutely'necessary to success, and the Committee will require to exercise considerable discrimination in selecting the gentlemen who are to have charge of the petition. We can easily understand how much good can be done by suitable delegates :; for instance, it would not be a bad card to play to play to secure the approval of the inhabitants of Nelson, as well as that of the Government. It would be a good plan for the delegates to convene a public meeting at Nelson on their way to "Wellingtan, and get, if possible,, a vote of approval of the Annexation scheme. Everything and anything that tends to show that the movement has the support of public opinion, will increase the probabilities of success; and the Committee should enlist all the sympathy they can from whatever source. Taking for granted that the Nelsou'Gover'nment will give its formal support, to the Committee, all that the delegates will have, to do at Wellington will be to secure the best man they can obtain to present the petition. As a matter of opinion, we may suggest that Mr J. C. Richmond would be the most suitable sponsor to select. Although not a representative of Nelson, Mr Richmond is a resident of that Province, aud as a member of the Executive would exercise more influence than a private member. In all probability the votes of the Otago members could be obtained ; aud we have no doubt that with a little tack sufficient support could be secured to ensure the grauting of the petitiou. But as we have said before, no time must be lost if anything is to be done this session ; and as it is very certain the Committee cannot carry out its programme without funds, the sooner a canvas for subscriptions is commenced the better ; and not a moment should be lost in obtaining signatures to the petitions. We Committee meets on Monday evening, and we trustthat vigorous' measures will be commenced for carrying the agitation to as uccessful issue.