SIR G. GREY'S VICTORIAN TRIP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 28, 29 November 1878, Page 3

SIR G. GREY'S VICTORIAN TRIP.

On the proposed trip of the Premier to Victoria the tfimaru Herald . »ays: — We earnestly hope that the rumour regarding Siv G. Grey's contemplated free trade crusade in Victoria i9 true. It would be infinitely better for him to occupy the recess in teaching people there the rudiments of national greatness, and popular prosperity, than in disseminating class hatreds and false principles of government among the people of his own country. Wo wish him a speedy departure and a prosperous mission, and, if he goes, we shall watch his operations with far greater interest than has ever yet attached to any of his political proceedings Even if he fails immediately to attain his objects, he cannot but do some 1 good by demonstrating to Victorian politicians and Victorian democrats, that the most advanced views of popular rights are not inseparable from the advocacy of free trade. His high intellectual powers and that singular personal influence which he undoubtedly possesses, may do nioro to bring about a change of opinion in that respect than all the dry writings of political economists, or the interested arguments of local Mtp&ttia&m. We should dearly like to be present to observe the effects of Sir George Grey's polished though impassioned oratory, on a Victorian mob. A man who has succeeded in making the wealthy and independent working classes of New Zealand half believe, despite the evidence of their own senses, that they are downtrodden slaves, bereft of the common privileges of freemen by the tyranny of the owners of a few vast estate. 1 , maj possibly be able to porsuade Digoted Victorian democracy L that their beloved protection is a ' miserable blunder. Should he do . so, he will have done what no man L waa ever able to do before, and ho L^will have established a vulid claim pto the gratitude and respect of pos* [ teriiy throughout the whole of an importaLt section of the British Empire.