THE PREMIER’S VISIT TO THE WAIRARAPA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5255, 26 January 1878, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE PREMIER’S VISIT TO THE WAIRARAPA.

Sir George Grey, l accompanied by the-Hon. ■ Mr. Sheehan and'Mf. Mitchell (jirivate secretary) left the Wellington station by special train yerterday half-past 9 o’clock, 1 for Kait'okej * en' route for Grey town and other 'centres'of population ihf the Wairafapa District. 1 ! The following address to the Premier ’has been in circulation in thodooality for some. weeks past;— ■ 0 ’ ’■ " : To the Hon. Sir George Grey, - K.C.8., M.H.R., Premier of,New Zealand.I—;Slr 1 —;Slr, —We, the. undersigned, recently heard with more than ordinary gratification that it was your intention I ,' in company with the Hon. Mr. ' to visit this district., , ; When we .remember the success which.forxnerly. attended your successive administrations ■of the affairs of New Zealand; —the, abilities you displayed in,, rescuing, the colony from.a state of .danger and disaster—the .system of political equality, you recognised in the Oonati:!tutiou;ypu drafted for it-M;he warm interest you took in.the,Small Farm. Settlements pf the Wairarapa—and the wise laws and provisions you .made to insure their good,government 1 and prosperity—we, who are.mainly the settlors ,of a township which bears your honored name, cannot refrain from, availing , ourselves pf the opportunity which your arrival in the distript has afforded us, to give you a hearty, welcome to assure youof thq ,high esteem in,which you are held in this community—and to express the .well-grounded hope , that a, like success 1 vyill attend your Premiership of the colony which has previously; attended your administration ; of the. affairs of South Australia, New, Zealand,. and South; Africa.,. We recognise in you not only the .able ancl.experienced,statesman,] but ■ the warm friend of the industrious order?,.and the determined opponent of all class privileges, laws, =and institutions. ■ .-.I ■' .

Being assured that the well-known! friendly feeling which prevails towards : you in this district amongst all those acquainted with the happy results of your; first'administration of, the affaire of this-colony will he takemadvantage of for the purpose Of’divesting this public demonstration of any political significance, we feel that: it' is desirable that we i should 1 avail ourselves of this opportunity of giving public expression' to the hope that your policy with regard to the readjustment of the -representation and of. taxation,with regard to the electoral,franchise, and. the system of plural Voting,' and.with regard to the administration .and settlement of; the public lands,;will meet with 'the support of the House of Beprerentatives, and that you will - live in the enjoyment of good health to witness the triumph of- your patriotic, zealous,; and disinterested efforts to place the freedom, well-being, and happiness of the'people of both races' upon secure foundations,' by means 1 of such political, educational ■and -social' institutions, and arrangements, as Vvill insure equal justice, equal laws, and equal privileges'to all - classes of her Majesty's subjects resident in New Zealand.: r|: . ' 1 , ' We’ oannot conclude this address without congratulating the colony on your fortunate re-appearance in the political arena, at a time ■when the country was' being demoralised by a long’course Of official extravagance, and fictitious prosperity, primarily induced by a'lavish expenditure of borrowed money ; at a time when it required no" ordinary, statesman ' to rescue it from the difficulties and disasters.into which it was blindly being plunged; andat a time when by cunning tampering with the organic laws, and the iniquitous disposal of the public lands, it was sought to lay the foundation of a landed but spurious aristocracy, and wealthy privileged orders in New Zealand. We heartily thahk you, Sir George Grey, 1 for having at such a time patriotically and heroically forsaken your well-earned retirement to.,take the,lead; in a' struggle which can confer, ho advantages upon yourself; and for these and other reasons we once ‘more cordially welcome you and the Hon. Mr. Sheehan’ to Greytown. ,