SIR GEORGE GREY AND THE AUCKLAND SUPERINTENDENCY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4361, 12 March 1875, Page 3

SIR GEORGE GREY AND THE AUCKLAND SUPERINTENDENCY.

The following is from a settler of the province ofAuckland :

Sir George Grey's latest manifesto, so far as regards the provinces, is very curious, meriting careful examination. The whole meaning is not on the surface ; yet it seems plainly enough intended to smooth the way to a possible change of opinion, if convenient, about provincialism. He may, perhaps, have committed himself to a possible change of conduct rather too soon ; for there are certain signs in the political horizon which give cause for doubt whether the dreaded abolition will be moved at all next session, in the House. But he did not then know of this.' My belief is that he would have been elected, both for the House and to the Superintendency, notwithstanding the antiprovincialist tendency (30 far as I know it) of the Auckland province. The feeling of the antiprovincialists appears to be that the provinces are doomed, and that the return of Sir George Grey will make no difference. I wovdd certainly vote for him myself, should there be a contest, being glad to get hold of an undoubtedly clever administrator, even though he be wanting in the higher attributes of statesmanship. He has undoubtedly a hoid-lipon the sympathies of Aucldand just now, having succeeded in getting himself called "The martyr of Kawau." There must be some nerve in an Englishman's frame which vibrates instantly to the sound of the word, without respect to persons. Church-rate martyrs are no more, but their places have been taken by Arthur Orton, Kennealey, Mitchell, &c. But how Sir George Grey became elevated to the dignity of martyrdom I cannot learn. Everybody is aware of the cause of his falling out with the' Conservatives ; but that of his quarrel with the Liberals is not so generally known. It was in this wise. When he wa3 a candidate for the representation of Newark, in the House of Commous, Mr. Gladstone requested him urgently not to divide the Liberal party. He answered in terms less courteous than the request; divided the party, and let in the Tory. Details could be supplied, but are not worth going into. He had a perfect right to stand to his colors, but the quarrel with both parties is the true cause of his being shelved.