SIR GEORGE GREY'S ADDRESS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4357, 8 March 1875, Page 2

SIR GEORGE GREY'S ADDRESS.

Auckland, Saturday. Sir George Grey's address to the electors states his willingness to accept the office of Superintendent, which he considers a most honorable one ; yet, if elected, great personal sacrifices will be entailed ou him. Therefore ho does not feel himself called upon to make such efforts as are usually employed to secure election ; though, if elected, he would give his whole time and energies to fulfil the duties. He should strive to show that a desire to serve one's country and fellow-men gives dignity to a public position—not the title by which that position may be. called. He considered the office of Superintendent to be executive, and not political. Therefore, if elected, he would not uso his position for political purposes, but faithfully to administer the laws and means placed at his disposal, and strive to obtain the

rights of the people of the province, whether pecuniary or otherwise. Although strongly attached to provincial institutions, he well knew it was the duty of every man to yield up his views and wishes to the majority of his fellow countrymen when these views were ascertained by constitutional means and clothed with the authority of law. Whatever form of government was introduced for JSVi? ""* ; Zealand, he would endeavor to make it a success. He believed it was the.duty of the Government to state in detail the nature of the institutions they proposed to take the place of existing provincial ones ; and to allow the people of New Zealand ample time to consider them, and express opinions on the subject. If the provinces were swept away he should desire to see the change made a general one, and have such institutions established in peace,: so as to secure to New Zealand generally those extensive rights in regard to legislation, and other matters which the provinces now possessed ; and to country districts a large share of local self-government, and a greatly more direct control over local revenues than they now had. To derive full benefit from immigration, the public works now proceeding—from which, if judiciously conducted, great advantages must flow —should be vigorously prosecuted; and he should consider it his duty to assist the Colonial Government in bringing that policy to a successful issue. Superintendents had the right to expect from the Colonial Government the expenditure within the province of a fair share of moneys borrowed for public works, and a due proportion of immigration j prompt payment of all revenues and other moneys lawfully belonging to provinces ; rigid economy in expenditure of monies devoted to immigration and public works ; strict prevention of all extravagant and persona expenditure from these funds ; and the immediate relinquishment to Provincial Governments of all lands purchased from natives in provinces, for the benefit of the people of them. It was only by rigorous attention to these details that the Immigration and Public Works policy could attain to that success to which it was justly entitled. It would be the duty of the Superintendent to take the requisite steps for the reception of immigrants, provide for their comfort and well-being, and secure permanent location for theui in the province by inducements to take up lands, Steps should be taken to induce laboring capitalists to settle, and means adopted to enable children to become established as settlers by occupying farms, and so contribute to the welfare of the province. Miners interests especially should be looked after, con. sidering how industrious they are, and how much they contribute to the wealth of the province and colony, and how useful they are by their training. Measures should bo taken to enable them to occupy freeholds while engaged in mining pursuits ; the present restrictions should be relaxed ; and unequal taxation re-adjusted over the whole community. The principles which should regulate public education need not be re-openecL by the Superintendent ; but the system of taxation should be re-considered. All who. draw wealth from the country were interested in the welfare of the rising generation, and it was the duty of all to contribute in proportion to their means. It was very hard for the struggling laborer to pay largely, while others, drawing large incomes,., contributed but a trifle—and wealthy absentees nothing. He had devised a system of hundreds, which had been elaborated into Highway Boards, and he was glad they had earned fresh concessions in the direction of self-government. He thought the Superintendents should have increased powers, to enable them to do local acts which now had to be done in Auckland or Wellington. In addition to the above sub- . jects, he had with care determined upon other topics, which opportunities would arise to refer to. Although he could not, for various reasons,, canvas the province, he had no wish to shirk any duties, or evince want of sympathy with the settlers. In his retirement he had reflected much, under undisturbed and favorable circumstances. He had no desire to obtrude his views, but if called upon he would address the electors at the Thames and in Auckland, these being the two chief centres of population.