AN AUCKLAND ROW.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4812, 24 August 1876, Page 2

AN AUCKLAND ROW.

The species of dissension in what is; known as the Auckland Camp, but what might more properly be termed that section of the Auckland members which follows Sir George Grey, culminated yesterday, and the ex-Governor is now ex- ; leader of the Opposition, and no longer; heads a party. The whole facts connected with this matter we believe to be: much as follow Mr. Tones, the recently' elected member for Auckland City West, supported Sir. George Greyi loyally on the separation resolutions;! but when he found that the wish of thej country as represented in Parliament was not only decidedly against separation, but l was in favor of abolition, and the modi-; lication of the Government measures to suit the circumstances of the colony, he represented to Sir George Grey that nothing was to be gained by continuing purposeless and factious opposition to the Government on their constitutional measures, and that it would be better to fairly endeavor to so shape those measures as would be most advantageous to Auckland. But Sir George Grey was obstinate and would consent to no compromise, and when at the request of Mr. Tones ho called a meeting of Auckland members for Saturday last, only those members who had voted with him were summoned ' to; attend. At that meeting it was agreed, however, that nothing should be done until all the Auckland members should be present, and accordingly ah adjourn- ; ment was taken until Monday afternoon, at which all were present, on the requisi-; tion of Mr. John Sheehan, acting for Sir George Grey. Business was commenoed by Sir George, who occupied the chair, reading a kind of manifesto, arid making an explanation. The substance of these was, that the. safety of the Constitution which isindangerof falling by the hands of the Ministry, Was paramount to all considerations, and that if they only persisted in their patriotic resistance they would ultimately obtain redress from the British Parliament and British Government. In the meantime he, as leader, would hear of no truces or negotiations with the enemies of the colony and mankind, meaning the Cabinet, and he meant to fight the constitutional question to the last. He explained that the manifesto he had read would appear in this morning’s Auckland papers, and was then for leaving the room, but was prevailed upon to stay and listen to Mr. Tones’ explanation, which was to an effect similar to that which we stated as being Mr. Tones’ remonstrance to Sir George Grey, after the decisive defeat on the separation resolutions. Several gentlemen expressed themselves as being decidedly of Mr. Tones’ opinion, and Mr. Rowe said that the constitutional question did riot trouble him half so much as the getting of good roads and bridges in hia district, and assistance in the .progress of Auckland. This practical sentiment of Mr. Rowes, met with pretty general endorsation. Sir George Grey thereupon formally resigned the leadership of the party, and left the meeting, accompanied by Mr. Dignan. Mr. O’Robee was then asked to take the chair, but declined, and also left the meeting. Messrs. Cox and Whitaeer subsequently refused to take the chair, but of course did not follow Sir George Grey’s example, Mr. Cox being a Government supporter, and Mr. Whitaeer being in favor of Mr. Tones’ proposals. Ultimately the meeting broke up without coming to any conclusion. Not a little interest was imparted to the proceedings by Mr. Rowe, who, criticising certain words used by Mr. Tole in the House, characterised that gentleman as a baby, whose proper place would be a nursery, and whose proper employment would be the consumption of food of the softest description. Mr. Rees and Mr. Rowe had also a slight difference of opinidn, and when Mr. Rees taunted Mr. Rowe with not answering either himself or Mr. Tole in the House, Mr. Rowe replied that he would have done so always, only that he never heard anything said which required an answer. Some language of a rather warm character passed, and Mr. Rees threatened to report Mr. Rowe to the Speaker, whilst Mr. Rowe professed that if Mr. Rees considered himself aggrieved by any little observations he (Mr. Rowe) had made out of the chamber of the House, Mr. Rees might answer them then and there in what manner best suited him. And so ends, it is to be hoped, ' the bubble that has lately been blown to such size and thinness on the Constitutional question, the rights of mankind, and -the interests of the human race and posterity. With the exception of Sir G. Grey and MessrsDiGNAN, Rees, SHEEHANandToLB, the Auckland members, whilst not as a whole pledging themselves to support of the Government, will, on the measures that must necessarily replace the provincial system, lend themselves heartily to working out that legislation which will be best for all parts of the colony, and in this they will have, we doubt not, the ultimate support of those Auckland people who have for a time been led astray by nonsense and claptrap. In this direction, however, Sir George and the small following left him do not mean to die without a struggle. Already telegrams have been sent to Auckland denouncing Mr. Tones as a traitor to the cause, and the result has been a meeting, an account of which is given in our telegraphic columns elsewhere. It is quite possible then that a species of excitement by the more unreasoning portion of the Grey party will bo got up in Auckland ; but it will soon die out, because the sensible men, who could alone give strength to the movement, are all against it. It is not at all unlikely that presently Sir George Grey, when he finds that he cannot even get a shouting mob to support him, will abandon in disgust his patriotic efforts for the amelioration of a down-trodden people, and will retire to seclusion, the world forgetting and by the world forgot. Such an event will not excite much grief, and from the* ashes of the wild and” impracticable Opposition which he formed there will doubtless arise something practical and. tangible, in the shape of a party that will face the Ministry, not-on--vaporing theories- or an- incomprehensible political platform, but on questions concerning the real appreciable welfare of the colony. The formation of

such aif! Opposition would be -'hailed with satisfaction by e very / one ; for without sucß ari Opposition mqrit must only degenerate into ri farce. S'. —L— r '" ■ "\\