The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25,1933. MAKER OF EMPIRE.
Own of the benefits ol wireless broadcasting to which more attention might be given by auditors, is-the reierences from time to time to men whose deeds in the past counted toward the building of the Empire. Much interesting information about men who helped to discover Westland has bee n given, and the other evening their came over the air a reference to Sir George G'rbyg an outstanding figure in Empire story. Sir George as a young man with military training came rapidly to the fore. He \i as Governor at a young age of South Australia, later of New Zealand, afterwards of South Africa, then back to New Zealand, and finally entered the political arena, tie did great service overseas, and at Home his particular bent led him to draft the first Home Rule Bill, which Gladstone rejected. He was indeed a notable Empire figure, for he showed remarkable activity in diversified ways. He was a scholar and an educationist. A great lover of art and the picturesque'. Had a wonderful way. with the native races he handled in Australia. New Zealand and South Africa, and was greatly trusted by the natives of the three countries. On 1853, Sir George- Grey, as Governor of Ne.w Zealand was responsible for the purchase of this West Coast from the natives of the three countries. In the provincial system of Government and visited Hokitika in 1867, when in the second term of his Governorship'. Afterwards when ■he entered colonial politics he became Premier, and laid the foundation for the New Zealand Liberal Party. The late Richard John Secldon sat at the feet of Sir George, whence he imbibed his first political tenets. The Premier was a silver tongued orator, and a great lover of the people for whom he legislated—with the ‘'unborn millions” in mind. He was an actor in the Maori war, which he assisted to bring to a close, and he propounded a constitution for native government. His policy in regard to European legislation was distinctly Liberal. He sought to place people on the land, and Mr Seddon who followed him later as Premier, was able to enact much of the beneficient legislation. Sir George was a man of erudition, and has left many interesting volumes. The history he assembled of the native races of Polynesia is to-day a standard work. He was able to assemble also a very valuable library which was left to the nation. He was extremely gifted' and served at a time when there was great scope for his activities. He did not always see eye to eye with the Home authorities, and though not actually recalled was informed on one occasion liis time of tenure had expired. But he was not soured thereby. He was ready to serve his country again and again, when called on, and he lived to a ripe old age with a gi’eat record and a wonderful memory left behind. It is good to recall the names and deeds of the men who pioneered the country, and who under entirely different circumstances and times from those of the present, did their dutv nobly, and helped to build up a fine heritage for those coming after. That was indeed the bout of Sir George Grey’s whole life—to think of those who come after, and who were to hold the country for their own and other nations’ benefit. It is well to honour and resnset the memory of such men whose deeds live after them and who have left on ovnmnle w Inch places them on a very prominent pinnacle in our national history.
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Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1933, Page 4
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619The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25,1933. MAKER OF EMPIRE. Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1933, Page 4
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