THE GREY-VOGEL CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 100, 15 April 1876, Page 4

THE GREY-VOGEL CORRESPONDENCE.

(Lyltdton 7"imes ) The Grey-Vogel correspondence is amusing if it is not instructive. On the other hand, whatever amusement it may afford is not in the least calculated to increase our respect for the manner of doing business which seems to be cultivated by at least one of our leading politicians. Sir George Grey and Sir Julius Yogel have been having a passage of arms, which cannot be described as altogether a knightly encounter. The Northern champion behaved in every way that could be expected from a knight of repute, even though it must be confessed that his conduct is slightly suggestive of the erraotic exploits of the famous Don of La Mancha. He talked of retrenchment, he raked up the Uhinemuri agreement, he dived down to the depths of the Constitution, he discoursed on the powers of Superintendents, he was eloquent about the status of Colonial Governors, tilting against that old windmill of his hate, the method of their appointment, and ventilating the theory that they ought, like the Provincial Superintendents, to be the elected of the people. In fact, Sir George Grey seemed to make an onslaught on things in general, taking a genuine pleasure in digressing as far as possible from the point at issue. But he was always strictly courteous. Throughout the combat his behaviour was distinguished by the grave dignity to be expected from one in his station, from a man who has seen the society be has seen, and occupied the commanding and onerous positions he has occupied. The same cannot be said for his antagonist. Sir Julius Yogel fought well — that cannot be denied. He followed his adversary closely from point to point, he drove his conclusions home, and he handled his figures with the hand of a master. If he had contented himself with this much, he would certainly have been entitled to the honors of an honorable combat. But he descended to tlie regions of ordinary chaff, and as a consequence disgraced himself. The pleasantries he condesoended to use were amusing enough in themselves, and would have been highly creditable td him in their proper place —that is to say on the road home from a race meeting, or in a club smoking room where there is an encounter of wit ; or even at a dinner table full of pleasant fellows engaged in an amicable sarcastic flow of soul. la such places and on such occasions the pleasantries which Sir Julius Yogel allowed himself to use are hot only permissible but to be expected and highly commended. But they are decidedly out of place in a correspondence between, the Premier of the colony and the Superintendent of a oocsiderable province. In such a correspondence there is no room for intense amusement «or regret for the unfortunate Governor who is to be the recipient of further letters. The same may be said about the jocoae remarks concerning Mr Dick and the head of Charles I , and the great relief which Sir Julius experiences at learning that his antagonist has ceased to expect some dreadful revolution. These things are, as has been before remarked, amusing, but in the circumstances they are also exceedingly rude, and have earned for Sir Julius the unpleasant snub he received at the hands of Sir George. It is a little odd that when he got notice of this manoeuvre he should have vaunted the courtesy he had Bhown in permitting the Superintendent ot Auckland to address him direct, instead of, as usual, through the Colonial Secretary. It looks aa if Sir Julius were trying to set off his courtesy in one direction against his want of it in another. We hope the colony has seen the last of these terrific correspondences.