INJURED INNOCENCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5713, 22 July 1879, Page 3

INJURED INNOCENCE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sin, —The reply made by the Premier to Sir William Fox’s crushing attack against his Government forcibly reminded me of the usual mode of defence adopted by an “ old offender” in the criminal dock. The police are actuated by malice, the “ swells” have a down on him, the witnesses are perjured, ..the prosecutor ought to stand in his place, and altogether he presents such a picture of injured innocence, that the gallery begins to exhibit those signs of applause, which the reporters tell us “ were immediately surpressed,” till it is conclusively proved that the old sinner has been convicted five times already, and has on this occasion all but murdered some unfortunate man who had the audacity to press for the settlement of his little account, or who objected to part with his watch and pocket book without valuable consideration. Eeally Sir George Grey’s denial of the truth of the charges made against him ought to carry no more weight with the public than the technical plea of “ not guilty.” He is a political “ old offender” if ever there was one. “Promising George” was an alias acquired in early life, and splendide mendax only last session was acknowledged to be the phrase most applicable to his recent career. But apart from his habitual recklessness of assertion, his own admissions show an absolute incapacity to apprehend the very elements of constitutional and responsible Government. To his autocratic mind, to say that what he did in regard to the Land Bill, was done “ for the good of the people of N e w Zealand,” seemed a sufficient justification. “I am the State,” said Louis XIV., “ I am the people of New Zealand” says Sir George Grey, and in their interests I will overrule the decision of Parliament expressed in deliberate legislation, and in their interests I will endeavor to pervert that legislation itself at its very source, so that my Government shallcarry measures of a certain character.” The monstrous egotism of the whole speech is more like the fanatical ravings of To Whiti than what one might expect from a cultivated gentleman, and its analysis would almost furnish Dr. Mandoley with materials for a new chapter in his “ Pathology of the Human Mind,” so much does it indicate a mode of thought which borders on insane delusion. Especially is this apparent when any question in which the Home Government is concerned is brought into consideration. Secretaries of State, Governors, the English aristocracy—every one, in fact, who has put, or might put, a check upon his own vaulting ambition and love of uncontrolled power —are, according to Sir George Grey, leagued in a wicked conspiracy against the happiness of the people of New Zealand, and are more or less enemies of the human race. To him it never seems to occur that there is such a thing as social evolution, and that historical antecedents are far more responsible than individual, or even class selfishness, for the evils which he deplores. That the Queen, as the fountain of honor, should not be compelled to allow that honor to flow through the Ministerial pipe—or possibly gutter—provided by Sir George Grey, may be a personal grievance to him, as it may be to stand in the presence of a seated Legislative Council at the opening of Parliament, but depend upon it not another soul in the colony cares one farthing about the matter. Still these ridiculous straws show which way the wind blows, so far os the Premier is concerned, and in getting rid of him we shall get rid of -a source of irritation between the Imperial and colonial authorities, which, like a thorn in a finger, though insignificant in itself, may yet cause more mischief than at first sight seems possible. Of all the “ bunkum ” Sir George Grey\ speech contained, that relating to the connection between the colony and the Crown was the most contemptible, just because it was most useless. It pleased himself, but can only damage his party.—l am, &c., Economist. Wanganui, July 30,