LORD GREY’S DEFENCE.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 769, 27 August 1853, Page 3

LORD GREY’S DEFENCE.

From the “ BrUtania.” That Lord Grey was a bold man Is a fact of which we have lone; been thoroughly convinced ; that ho was an indiscreet man we have also conscientiously believed; but that he would be bold enough, and indiscreet enough, to publish a defence of his colonial administration, is a consummation of impruoence and audacity for which we were wholly unprepared. He has done so, nevertheless, In a series of letters to Lord John Russell, occupying two large octavo volumes, he has entered into an elaborate exposition of his doings in Downing-street during his protracted sway ; and we will do his lordship the justice to say that he has forgotten nothing, and learned nothing since his retirement from oflice. The opinions for which he was conspicuous while he held the colonial seals, are repeated with characteristic deliberation and pertinacity. Our space will not allow us to enter upon details, but there arc two favourite points upon which Ids lordship dwells with such evident satisfaction, that we cannot refrain from briefly referring to them. The first is the old song—Heaven save the mark —of West India prosperity. We presume that this is the point upon which Lord Grey and his friends, if he has any, chiefly plume themselves in the retrospect of bygone legislation. He opens his work with the subject of the sugar colonies, and he leads us to infer that they are all, with the solitary exception of Jamaica, in a highly prosperous condition. Of course he quotes with unqualified approval, that portion of Mr. Disraeli’s speechin which the increase of exports during last year was announced. This fact has been so eagerly seized upon by the advocates of slave sugar, that we could not expect his lordship to refrain from repeating it for the fiftieth time. With regard to Jamaica, he would have us to believe that she suffers only because she refused to listen to his counsel. Instead of offering any practical suggestions for the relief of this unfortunate island, he enters into an elaborate detail of the squabbles between the Assembly and the Governor, and himself; and he concludes by strongly recommending the planters to lose no time in improving the education of the negroes, as the latter must in a very short time acquire the whole political power In the colony. This cioland characteristic advice is quite in keeping with his lordship’s views upon the transportation question. Although two successive governments have now determined, and we think for most sufficient reasons, to put a stop to transportation to Australia, Lord Grey is decidedly of opinion that it should still be continued. Like his relative, Sir Charles Wood, his lordship has also a knack of saying offensive things without the least intention of offending. He reminds the people of Australia that we at first formed settlements in that distant quarter exclusively for penal purposes, and that therefore they have no reason to complain of the infliction of a convict population. “ For this reason chiefly,” his lordship adds, “ I must maintain that this country is perfectly justified in continuing the practice of transportation to Australia, the colonists being only entitled to ask that in the arrangements for conducting it their interests and welfare should be consulted as far as possible, and that with regard to the expense incurred in these arrangements, they should be generously dealt with.” His lordship adds, “ the whole, policy of this country towards the Australian colonies, while it was conducted by us, will, I am persuaded, be pronounced by those who will take the trouble to investigate the facts in a candid spirit, to have been just and considerate, as well in what relates to .the transportation of offenders, as in all other matters.”

This is a fair specimen of the style of self-laud-ation with which the work abounds. According to the character he has given of himsejf, Lord is the wisest, the discreetest, and the most considerate of men. The bpok will bfe extensively read both at home and in the colonies, but we gravely doubt whether it will increase his lordship’s popularity in either quarter. Neither jn the

West Indies nor in Australia, at all events will it create regret that bis lordship does not bold a place in the Coalition Cabinet.