THE PREMIER AT THE THAMES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5535, 23 December 1878, Page 2

THE PREMIER AT THE THAMES.

(per tress agency.) Gkahahtstown, Saturday. The interesting and important ceremony of - turning the first sod of the Thames-Waikato railway, for which arrangements have been made for the past few days, took place to-day. The railway committee, to whom was delegated the task of making arrangements for the ceremony and the luncheon afterwards at the Volunteer Hall, deserve great credit for the •amount of work done in so-short a period. At the request of his Worship the Mayor tho principal tradespeople closed their shops early, but with the exception of some bunting there was little other attempt to decorate the principal thoroughfares. The Burke-streofc wharf was gaily ornamented with strings of flags and the signal-post was decorated with them, tho Harbor Board flag showing conspicuously from the masthead. A telegram having been received from Captain Fairchild, of the New Zealand Government steamer Hinemoa, to the effect that the vessel with Sir George Grey and a number of ladies and gentlemen would arrive at 11 o’clock to-day, the p.s. Ruby was chartered to meet the Hinemoa, and was ready to depart as soon as the steamer hove in sight.. His Worship the Mayor, the County Chairman, the Chairman of the Harbor Board, and the Chairman of the Parawai Board, proceeded in the Ruby to meet tho Premier and party. In the meanwhile a number of gentlemen had collected at the end of tho wharf, amongst others County Councillors Brown, Grenville, Ootts, Bagnall, and Porter; Borough Councillors Ehrenfried, Hansen, Speight, Graham, and Wilson; Mr. J. * Cadman, Chairman of the Coromandel Council; Mr. F. 0. Dean, Town Clerk; Mr. W. Rowe, M.H.R. ; Messrs. Spencer, Hopcroft, Gibbons, Best, and a number of others. On board were the following visitors : Sir-«r George Grey, K.C.8., Premier; W. Mitchell, • Esq., Private Secretary; J. A. McMinn, Esq., M.H.R. for Waipa; Captain Wilson, and Mr. Wilson, T. Peacock, Esq., Mayor of Auckland; J. W. Melton, Mayor of Parnell, and Miss Melton; Councillors Waddell and Fleming, of the Auckland City Council; P. A. Phillips, Esq., Town Clerk of the City of Auckland. The party, headed by the Thames Scottish hand, marched down the wharf to where the carriages were stationed and a large crowd had assembled. Hearty cheers were given for the Premier by the public at the town end of the wharf as the party reached the locality where the carriages were stationed. The Naval Brigade fired a salute. The Premier, the Mayor, Mr. Rowe (M.H.R.), the County Chairman and the Chairman of the Harbor Board were accommodated in the second the leading vehicle being occupied by the Borough and County Councillors, The other carriages, to the number of fifteen or twenty, were quickly, occupied. .On the arrival at Mary-streeb the carriages turned down to the beach to the site selected by Mr. .T. Blackett for, turning the first sod,, which is a plot of ground below high water-mark, on the foreshore next ' the Thames Gas Company’s property, and in front of the residence of the Rev. Mr. Lashley. A good piece of land had been fenced in temporarily, and a small structure erected for the reception of the Premier, and another enclosure for the band and the school children. On arrival at the enclosure Sic Goorge Grey was received by Dr. Kilgour, chairman of the Thames Valley railway committee, and other members of the committee, and some four or five hundred school children sang -two verses {of “God Save the Queen,” under the leadership of Mr. J. Grigg, in very good style. The chairman of the Thames Valley railway committee next read and presented to Sir George Grey the following address:—

Sir, —This committee, in asking you to. turn the first sod of the Thames Valley railway, desire to express to you the great satisfaction which they, in common with every inhabitant of the district, feel on the present occasion, which is a happy termination -of the long and arduous agitation which commenced more than six years ago, and which has been carried on without much encouragement. Notwithstanding the want of success which attended their efforts to obtain a favorable consideration of this question, for many years the committee never lost sight of the object they had in view, but took the opportunity of pressing it upon the attention of the Government of the day, but still without any result until you, sir, appeared on the scene, and announced to the people of the Thames that you considered the scheme to be not only practicable but reasonable, and a project deserving of the attention of the Legislature of the colony and of capitalists seeking profitable investments. From that time until the last-sejm, sion of Parliament the prospnota tne T names v«Ucy —railway’ have" continued steadily to improve, when your Government took the decided step of placing .it on the schedule of railway works to be undertaken by the colony of New Zealand. This recognition of a scheme no less useful than necessary redounds much to the credit of y our Government for justice, impartiality, and foresight, and we now have the pleasure to invite you thus to crown the undertaking (which already owes so much to your aivecacy) by making a formal commencement of the work. For the Thames Valley railway committee, (Signed) James Ktlgouk, Chairman.

Sir George Grey said he was very much obliged for the address presented to him, and very happy to be present on such an occasion as that, when the work they had been striving for for years was about to bo practically started. (Cheers.) Sir George Grey then proceeded to turn the first sod. A gangway had been run out from a small building erected, alongside of which were some turf sods. A very handsome wheelbarrow of varnished rimu was standing near, and a light spade of ordinary make, the silver implement ordered for the occasion not having been finished. Sir George proceeded to handle his tools in a workmanlike manner. Ho dug a good sod, put it into the barrow, and wheeled it back to the shed, instead of putting it over the “ tip,” amid the cheers and complimentary remarks of the spectators, and the greatest enthusiasm was manifested. Addressing Dr. Kilgour, Sir George Grey made a short speech on silence being restored. He trusted the railway thus inaugurated would prove a blessing to the community and a convenience for the oommeice of the inland districts, and would conduce to make this one of tho finest ports in New Zealand.

Mr. Peacock, the Mayor of Auckland, said he had very great pleasure, on behalf of the people of Auckland, in congratulating the Thames on the proceedings of that day. There would have been a much greater attendance of Auckland visitors but for some uncertainty regarding-the steamer and the day. He need not dilate on the importance of railway works—that was recognised everywhere—and the benefits felt. Auckland people were aware of the importance of opening up the country. The energy which had been displayed in bringing the work commenced that day to a practical issue was deserving of success,.and he could assure them that they had the good wishes of the people of Auckland. - Mr. J. W. Melton expressed tho pleasure he felt at being present to represent the borough of ParneJl.

Mr. MoMinn, M.H.R, for Waipa, Loped to bo able some day to congratulate them at the other end of the lino on the completion of the work begun that day. The Thames had a warm friend in the Premier, who had always done what he could for the district, particularly in regard to railway and other matters during the late session. Mr. Cabman, chairman of the Coromandel County Council, congratulated the Thames people, and hoped it would not be many years before the Coromandel people would be able to invito the Thames to assist in a similar work at the other end. Dr. Kilgocr read an apology from H. Brett, Esq., ex-Mayor of Auckland, congratulating the Thames people on the work of the day. Three cheers were given for the visitors in a hearty manner, and the band played a selection of music. The school children present then sang “ My Own New Zealand Home,” a song the words and music of which were composed by Mr. Grigg, who conducted the Thames Scottish band, giving an accompaniment in the chorus. Sir George Grey went over to the children, and the children seemed mightily pleased. In a short speech to the children he hoped they would grow up to be virtuous, and strive to make the country of their birth one of the greatest and happiest on the face of the earth—not only great m material wealth, but great in regard to virtue and intellect, and all that tended to render people happy. He was very pleased to have the opportunity of saying a few words to them that day. „ , About 230 sat down to an excellent lunch provided by Mr. Symington. The hall was decorated with evergreens and mottoes. Df. Kilgour, the chairman of the railway committee, occupied the chair, and was supported on his right by Sir G. Grey and his Worship the Mayor, and on the left wero.the county

chairman aid Mr. Rowe, M.H.R. ; Mr. John Brawn, comty councillor, occupied the vicechair.

At " am GEORGE oret’s speech. Sir George Grey addressed his constituents In the Theatre Royal in the evening before 800 people, which included a number of ladies. Mr. VV. McCullogh, Mayor, presided, and said the Thames community were greatly indebted to him for the proceedings of that day. Sir GeorOß Gbbt was received with a perfect ovation. He said it had been stated by the Mayor that hie constituents had reason to be grateful to him, but he had reason to thank them, as they had given him an opportunity of serving New Zealand. Since ho had been last here great improvements had been made in roads, and through their local authorities they had arranged to - carry these works out for the benefit of both races, and they had loyally carried out their agreement, both at the Thames and Coromandel. It was a great encouragement to himself and the Government to aid a community which so greatly helped itself. Ho would endeavor to give an account of his stewardship and what should bo their objects during the coming session. Lately it had been said “ Sir George Grey will make a good speech for you, and that is all.” He gave them credit for not believing it. Ho said that the person who talked like that reasoned unjustly, and indulged in vapid declarations. As an illustration he might mention several things that had happened in Parliament last session. He here referred to the proposal to lease several millions of acres to Canterbury runholders for an additional ten years. The first collection of children he had seen he pitied for the wrong that had been done them, but he was laughed at for it. "Was ho justified in pitying these children or not i (Applause). Any man who felt for his country ' as-ho did would have pitied these children. He also referred to his, misrepreaontion by the ex-Superintendent of the Province of Canterbury while reviewing a speech of his (Grey’s) at a religious meeting. It was said, “Don’t be ed astray by Grey. Look out for your pockets, and see you get a large amount of public revenue spent amongst you.” He told them to take care of getting a share ; make him responsible for that; but let them look after their rights at the same time. They had their progeny to leave behind them. Let the public money not be doled out as a gift, but taken by themselves as a right, and let them see that power be given to their children to have it spent as a right. He would pass to other subjects. Lately the cry had been raised, “ Don't mind if the land is unfairly dealt with; the people who got it will improve it.” But don’t let them be led astray by such arguments, and any people that argued that way were enemies of their country. When people talkad about getting a large tract of land and Improving it, they mast mind that the buyer Improves it with your money, as when a man buys a large tract of land he can go and raise money on it from a money-lender. Suppose he gave a block of 100,000 acres of land to a man for a nominal consideration, with farms around it. Ha could tax all his neighbors, as he could prevents roads, &c., being made, and thus depreciate the value of their produce. By a law peculiar to the colony it was enacted that a man with Large property could have five votes, while a poor man could havo only one vote. It would thus be seen that votes were given to acres, and not to human beings. He contended that this should not be done, as it would create a governing class of which they would never get rid, and they would have to ask to be paid with their own money. If they would search writers on plurality of votes, of course he meant the great minds, they would find that they were against it. People might accumulate money by unfair means, and would thus have the power of oppressing others with their wealth. The money taken from revenue to give to local bodies was in all cases given to the people who also possessed plurality of votes. Upwards of three-quarters of a million had been taken from the revenue for local bodies, but they should all have an equal share of that. Nothing could be more unjust than that propertyholders should have power to spend the people's money, and contribute so little to the revenue themselves. He now came to the Electoral Bill. In other countries the Government had always power to dissolve Parliament. In New Zealand this right was denied to ns. It was said the Governor had the right, so that some might be pleased to allow it and some might not. The result was that the Governors had said that before they dissolved the House should be exhausted : that was that Ministry after Ministry should be tried. No Ministry could thus carry a«y measures with certainty, and this practice must weaken the condition of any Ministry who -earn* into power without the opportunity of appealing w the people. There was no other colony with such an Upper House as they had here, as the members were paid, and thus had a pension for life ; in fact the Tipper House could not he added to without adding a harden of 200 guineas to the country. The speaker said there were upwards of fifty there now, each with 200 guineas a year, and if his Ministry wished a majority there they would have t» put in some fifty-five members to get a majority. Again, Governors were nominated in England for party purposes, so that it would be seen the whole Constitution here was dfficult to work. Any Governor could rniu a Ministry, as he could actually form an alliance with a party, and in time cause the Ministry he opposed to fall into disgrace. His conduct re the Electoral Bill had been often impugned. The Bill they had brought in was all they thought they could carry, and they thought it best to get all they could. One of their friends brought in the matter of plural voting, so that the power might be human brains and not acres. He referred to the Triennial Parliaments Bill, as a means of obviating what he before referred to, and also as a means of letting constituents throw out bad representatives. The law gave natives the same voting power as Europeans, but many of the natives lived far from the polling booth, and they conld not vote except for their four electoral districts. In the ", Electoral Bill the Upper House had struck out aU the native franchise except these four votes. TTia Ministry had objected to this. He explained his action in connection with the BilL The majority of the House agreed with him, and disagreed with the amendments, and the result was that there would be a better Reform Bill brought in this year, which would do away with pocket boroughs, and probably do away with plural voting, and give them triennial Parliaments, and also an opportunity of appealing to the country. He explained the provisions of the Lands BilL Land near public works, deriving benefit from them, should be taxed ; land in the centre of highly ooltivateddistriots should also be taxed. They might have a property lax by-and-by, and if he remained Premier he should try to secure it. (Cheers.) If he were not in power he conld not help it. By the land tax people who owned large tracts will have to pay. There had, of course, been grumbling at the tax. They wanted the improvements to be taxed, and not unimproved land. Let them see what the J-d. in the £ would bring in. They had the means of getting more. They had a great machine in their bands, by which they could raise more revenue if they liked. They had taken half the duty off sugar, and it was easy to take off the other half also, and also the duty off tea. Let them see what the land tax would produce. If this year a dissolution took place, on these points the people would become the legislators for the time being. They would have next session to determine if a titled aristocracy should be set up in the colony or no, ‘ and he wanted to know if they would ? (Cries of “ no.”) In England, the Crown could make Peers as it liked, but the Crown could create no new rank or no new title. It had been tried and failed. The Crown had tried to set up an aristocracy for Now Zealand. They were to be called “ honorables” for life within the colony. If the Crown could do that, they could also make other titles, and the speaker further explained bis action re bis refusal to insert the notice re the title of “ honorable ” in the Gazelle, and the arguments he had used in support of his refusal. He instanced cases where the Colonial Office had been wrong in their law, and said he was convinced that that office could not make a continual aristocracy if a determined

stand was made. He did not think the Home Government would force it on them. He maintained that the colonies had the power to pass an Act by which tbo way in which their Governor should bo chosen should be decided. This right had been conceded to them, and it rested with them to take advantage of it if they wished. Ho then referred to the matter of the Judges, who claimed the right to send a man to gaol for life for contempt of Court. Was that right? They also claimed that they could commit the editor of a newspaper for contempt. Ho had wished to limit the time for punishment; also to give a man a right to appeal, to provide for the case of a testy Judge, or one with a gouty foot. It had been said that the Press could keep the Judges in order, bnt if the latter had the power to shut up the editors, tho Press would also write under restraint. The majority of tJw Bouse had considered that tho Judges

should not be interfered with, but ho had disagreed with the majority, and thought they were wrong. It was a power which ought not to be given to a Judge. He said it was unlawful ; and torturing and pressing had been found to be unlawfully used in former times. He believed that ho would have the support of his constituents in having a law passed to remedy the present law. (Cheers.) He then referred to local matters, and the great benefits that would accrue through the railway to the district, and advocated tbe construction of a harbor. Referring to the purchase of Broomhall's rights to the To Aroha block for £3OOO, he said that the land was now open for them, and recommended them to look after the other blocks that would bo opened. It was both his and their bounden duty to do this, and to secure it for themselves, and let them not ba deceived by the voice of tbe charmer. He spoke of the condition of the poor in England, ancLurged on, them to be careful of tho land laws, aud prevent a governing class springing up, and let them lay a broad platform on those matters, and those who followed would havo reason to bless them. In conclusion he referred to the care which had been taken in tho selecting the first immigrants to New Zealand, and the fine class of immigrants who had since corao here. This population was clay which would not be moulded by an unskilful potter. At tho conclusion a vote of thanks and a reiteration of the vote of confidence was carried enthusiastically, on the motion of Councillor Brown, seconded by- Councillor RoBEBT Graham. Sir George Grey, in returning thanks, said he Jwould promise to serve his constituents faithfully. Ho then proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, which was carried. ‘ THE BANQUET. At a banquet in tho evening, tbe Premier’s health was proposed by Dr. Hilqour, chairman. He said long before Sir George came to New Zealand ho was a man of mark. Ho had been Governor of the Cape and South Australia, and the people both rejoiced in his rule. He had not, therefore, when he re-entered public life yet to earn his laurels, but, as the World says, ,r he was comfortably laid up in lavender” at Kawau. It was not for sake of sordid gain, but for the good of the country. We may differ from Sir George Grey on many points, but in this we should be united, that as attempting to open up the country Sir George Grey’s • policy was one that must ba endorsed by all the world. As one instance, he noted the case of the Broomhall settlement, in which Sir George aud his colleagues took high ground and said,- we have men ready aud willing round about us, and it is our duty to give these men who have come so far and suffered so much an opportunity to obtain and cultivate this land. No political. man with whom he was acquainted had acchieved such deserved success as had Sir George Grey. He trusted the toast would be drunk with enthusiasm. He wished “ Sir George Grey a merry Christmas aud a happy New Year, and many of them.”

Sir George Gret, after the prolonged cheering had somewhat subsided, said: Your chairman, who has spoken just now in proposing my health, said I ought to be a proud man. Well, I am so,—proud and thankful to be allowed to live to realise what almost seemed a vision. It was the scene of that- day that reminded him of a vision that he had tried to realise years back. It was thirty-* five years since he had first visited the Thames. He came down in a little schooner belonging to the Bishop of Lichfield. He brought him down, and left him here a few days. He was then greatly impressed with the future prospects of the district, and now realised the impressions which he then formed. (Cheers.) He now saw a great city rising here. It was

not bis business on an occasion like this to makeja political speech, or to allude to politics. He might tell them that he had heard said “ Sir George Grey will make a fine speech to you ; he will tell you all about the public works policy." Now, he would tell them that he was the first man who introduced the public works policy into British colonies. (Cheers.) He was the first man who ever proposed that a change should be established • the first man who recommended the British Government to establish a system which should be carried out in all her Majesty’s dominions; and he, upon his own recommendation and his own advice, pointed out a public works policy which was afterwards introduced into this colony. They had done this, and it was as much their duty to make use of it, to extend their public works, as it was their duty to grind their corn well. That subject introduced by him raised great discussion. He had returned to Great Britain, and recollected being present at a dinner party where a discussion arose on tho subject as to whether he was right in wishing to spend money on works part of the burden of which_ woidd rest. among others Sir G. Come wall Lewis, Lord John Russell, Mr. Gladstone, and Lord Macaulay, The first three opposed his views, but Macaulay, who was a man of infinite wit, in a peculiar way supported him by saying, in opposition to the. statement : —“You have no right to burden posterity with anything ; it is a bad system. We all know of the sufferings of the 100,000 Chinese under lien; When I (Macaulay) heard of it I was painfully affected; but I really believe that the effect of distance is such that an. attack of gout in my little finger would have caused very much more trouble and pain to me." Applying the story to burdens on posterity, he said ho did not : think they would ever bring the people to think mnch of those burdens if they were satisfied that the money raised was to be expended for right and legitimate objects. It was - like professing an intense regard for those who surround you, but neglecting their demands out of consideration for those who might come 300 years hence. But here the time has come. You have created that invisible credit; and it is your duty with it to open up the country; to spend it not extravagantly but wisely, so that the country may become populous and fertile. Insist on your right to have that done for you which has been done for other parts of the colony. Do not be led astray by the glittering temptation of wealth held up before you. Whatever the temptation maybe, let nothing induce you to part with large blocks of land to people who will make no use of them. The Thames people will not do this. They want to employ themselves, not to be employed by others. The power rested with themselves. When what is necessary for your own wants has been taken let the whole world have a chance, and not water drinkers only. The way to make men sober was not by restrictive laws. The true way, he believed, to make sober, thoughtful, temperate, and religious men was to give them the opportunity of making homes for themselves, —to give them a chance. One word more on the work in which we have this day been engaged. May the point at which we have been working be the starting point of a railway connecting this and the other island. (Cheers.) Tbe Hon. Hoanl Nahe, Mr. McMinn (M.H.R, for Waipa), and Mr, Rowe, M.H.8., followed in response to toasts, but their speeches were mainly complimentary. The Hon. Hoani Nabe said he was pleased to leara that his countrymen had given the necessary land for the railway line.