The New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1878.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5298, 19 March 1878, Page 2

The New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1878.

The Premier Is how approaching the end of the great stumping tom-. In theatrical parlance, he has “done” both islands, and everywhere his exhibitions have been attended by crowded and enthusiastic audiences. His last bow was in the Odd Fellows’ Hall, Christchurch, and the correspondent of the Press Agency, who had evidently caught the spirit of the Occasion, informs us that long before the hour of meeting the building was densely packed. We confess that we are not at all surprised at the reception Sir, George Grey met with in Christchurch. Human nature is the same in Canterbury as elsewhere, and Sir George Grey has studied human nature to some purpose. It is true that the Premier viewed with abhorrence the Canterbury of the past—the province, which was rolling in wealth when other provinces were starving. Last session, when Sir George Grey was asked by Major Atkinson at what date he proposed to colonialise the land fund: of Canterbury and Otago, Sir George replied that the lion, member (Major Atkinson) knew perfectly well that there was only the land fund of Canterbury to take. The Premier did not desire it go forth to the people of Otago that the Ministry of which he was the head were capable of doing any wrong to the province in whose interests Mr. Macandrew takes a watchful care. The Otago land fund had already been taken by the Atkinson Ministry, and all that remained for the “bold highwaymen,” to use Mr. Sheehan’s metaphor, was the land fund of Canterbury. It was found necessary to cajole and deceive the people of Otago; but as for Canterbury, the land revenue of that pro vince could be taken with impunity. We do not desire it to be inferred that' we are in any way opposed to the colonialisation of the land fund. That would have been brought about sooner or later whether Sir George Grey appeared in the political arena or not; but the subject was not dealt with in a fair spirit. The Ministry took excellent care to secure the,interests of Otago, but those of Canterbury were entirely ignored. No secret was made of this at the time ; no pains taken to disguise the Premier’s hostility to the latter province. But it is not to be supposed that the people of Canterbury are better versed in political knowledge than the inhabitants of other parts ; nine out of ten of those who listened to the Premier were utterly unacquainted with his political tergiversation, and simply applauded because ho pandered to their prejudices—prejudices which his hearers brought from other climes, and which should have no place in New Zealand, where no one class dominates over another, and where all are on a political level. It may be said that the latter cannot be the case so long as manhood suffrage is not the law of the land. But every householder in the country is entitled to the franchise, and there are few in the community who will not at some period of their lives possess the necessary qualification ; and viewing the subject of representation in this broad aspect, no one can fairly say that in political power there are class distinctions in this colony. It may be said that every married man in the colony is entitled to a vote under our present electoral law, whilst the large majority of unmarried men are not in a position to obtain a vote. In political power that is the only class distinction in this colony. Sir George Grey always takes great credit to himself for the contemplated change in the incidence of taxation. It should not be forgotten that . the late Ministry were pledged to a change in this direction, and that the principle of direct taxation was carried by a considerable majority in Parliament before Sir George Grey took office. The Premier is reported to have “referred very strongly to the evils that had in past times existed through the people of England, Scotland, and Ireland being debarred from having a voice in the affairs of the country.” Now, this is rank claptrap. Foxcenturies the people of Great Britain have had a larger voice in the public affairs than the people of any other country ; but if manhood suffrage had prevailed in the British Isles three oxfour generations ago Groat Britain would not occupy the proud position she does to-day as the foremost nation on the globe in fx-oodom anti material prosperity. Our liberties would not have broadened down from precedent to precedent. Knowledge must precede political power. The poox-er people of the British Isles no doubt labored under many hardships ; but their condition was better than that of the people of other nations. It is only by comparison that we can judge of the success of any particular sot of institutions, and judged in this way the British people have..little .reason to be ashamed of the institutions of their forefathers. Thox-o was one remark in Sir George Grey’s speech which wo do not remember having heard him make befox-o. The telegraphic report of his speech is, however, not sufficiently explicit. He is reported to have said : “ Tho legislation of the country should bo directed to tho equalisation of taxation, one feature of which would be a great alteration in tho shipping laws, which compelled vessels that called casually at ports to pay heavy charges. Free

trade in this matter would be an immense advantage to the country, and would attire); a large amount of shipping.” The above is rather mixed, but it may be gathered, that the Premier is in favor of removing vexatious restrictions on commerce. In this he will be heartily supported by the most intelligent in the community. We do not know where the Premier obtained his data for the assertion that men were driven out of New Zealand through the land laws "that existed. „ Now, the fact is that the excess of immigration over emigration is greater in New Zealand than in any of the other colonies ; and also, that in proportion to population, fewer people leave our shores. With the: single exception of grainproducing South Australia, New Zealand has more land per head of population under cultivation than any of the Australian colonies. The above are the most reliable tests by which to ascertain the truth of the Premier’s statement about men having to fly the country because the lands are locked from settlement. However, it matters not that a knowledge of the statistics of the colonies, of “ Han sard,” and of the history of the colony, would entirely disprove the wild statements of the Premier ; he will persist in making his reckless assertions in the full consciousness that not one in a dozen will take the trouble to inquire into the truth of what he states. The man who, almost unquestioned, has told audiences in all the principal towns of the colony that under manhood suffrage there would be 150,000 persons entitled to the franchise in New Zealand, out of a total population of about 400,000 can trust immensely to the dense ignorance of his audience. There is a population of 823,000 in Victoria, and under manhood suffrage there are only 180,000 persons on the rolls. Sir Geokge fixes double this proportion for New Zealand. It would be waste of' Words to comment or to deal seriously with such misstatements as those to which we have referred. Sir Geokge Gkey has a reputation for possessing astounding talents in a certain direction. He is now exercising those talents extensively.