The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) SATURDAY, JULY 19, 1879.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 445, 19 July 1879, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednes days and Saturdays.) SATURDAY, JULY 19, 1879.

It was a politician who said that language was given to man to enable him to conceal his thoughts. There is no species of utterances that more aptly illustrates this aphorism than do speeches from the throne. Governors’ speeches, as a rule, are excellent imitations of the royal original. The Governor’s speech with which the present Session has just opened, is, in some respects, an exception to the rule. It is not simply a few paragraphs of dignified dulncss, in which the chief effort is to occupy a reasonable space without saying anything ; but it presents a decidedly practical and honest appearance. If this were Sir George’s first attempt, we should be delighted with the * speech.’ Being once on a visit to a friend, we heard an extemporary sermon from the clergyman of the district, and were highly pleased. But upon congratulating our friend on his luck in hearing such eloquence every Sunday, he replied, “It’s all very well for you who only hear it once, but Tve heard it over and over till I’ve got it all by heart.” We could not but admit that this little fact made a material 'difference. A similar little fact lessens our enjoyment of Sir George Grey’s manifesto. The Premier evidently saw breakers ahead, and resolved to take the House, and the country, into his confidence by entering, somewhat more than is usual on such occasions, into the details of his policy. By making a fine show of promises, before the struggle for power began, he would throw a heavy responsibility on those who dared to vote against him. Should he be ousted from the Treasury Bench, many hon members will have to explain why they did not support the policy that every body wanted to see carried out. We have no doubt that the main linos of policy indicated in the ‘ speech’ are acceptable to the country. What we object to is waiting till the Grey Ministry realise these glowing promises. The good laws that are to make of New Zealand a veritable Paradise Regained, have been on the way for two years, and now they are as far off as they were two years ago. The Grey policy travels in a circle, and having completed the circuit, is now pleading for an opportunity of taking a fresh departure from its old starting point. It does not promise an end ; that is what distinguishes it from the policy of ordinary mortals. It is “ eternal,” like Benedict’s love—“ without beginning and without end.” “ It would be manifestly impossible,” says the ‘ speech,’ “ for Government to present daring this Session measures which Tronic! effect in their entirety all objects which have been indicated. Nevertheless, measures which will be proposed are all in a direction which my advisers believe to be consistent with the wishes of the country.” This is certainly rather cool. It is in fact saying, “ We promise you all these things to keep you quiet, but you must not suppose that what we tell you is our programme for this Session. We want something to do next year and the year after. We of course move at our leisure, but wc indicate the line of our policy, stretching into the remote future, to show you the ‘ direction’ in which we are going, as yon might not be able to discover it by observing us through one Session.” There is some difference be<tween jumping in the direction of the moon and going right to it. We are surprised that Sir George Grey is not afraid to try the old trick of promise making; especially of making the old promises over again. The following passage from the ‘ speech,’ delivered on Tuesday, is an epitome of the promises it contains —“My responsible advisers fully recognise the desire that exists for the enactment of measures which will secure a more equal representation of the people, for a more frequent return of members to their constituencies for reelection, for an equitable distribution of the burden of taxation, and for a mode more just and judicious of dealing with public lands and with those belonging to ■ the natives.” Compare with this the '

following passages from last year’s ‘ speech’—“ Measures have been prepared and will be brought before you dealing with electoral reform, which, it is hoped, will tend to place the franchise, and the method of electing members of the House of Representatives, upon a satisfactory basis.” “ Measures will be introduced to place the taxation of the colony on a more equitable basis, apportioning the public burdens according to the capacity to bear them.” “My advisers have found the position of the Government Native Land Purchases to be very unsatisfactory ; and but for the legislation of last Session, which enabled the Government temporary to protect lands under negotiation by the Crown, many blocks upon which large sums of public money have been spent, would have passed into the hands of private speculators. This is a question with which you will be called upon to deal. Thus history repeats itself; but history should cultivate its memory, and not repeat itself at such short intervals. Still it is very satisfactory to know that it is all in the “direction” in which practical legislation is to move, when the young members of the opposition have become greyish and wise. We believe that there is, in certain rural districts in England, a time-honoured method of getting a donkey to market. The driver sits on the animal’s back holding a bunch of carrots on the end of a pole. Ho rests the polo between the long ears, and lets the carrots dangle just in front of the donkey’s nose. Hoping to overtake them, the simple beast trots along patiently until the market is reached. Some aged donkeys, however, are not to bo done; they have profited by experience, and refuse to buclgo. For two years Now Zealand has been such a patient beast of burden; Sir George Grey has ridden at his ease, and held the bnnch of carrots, just out of reach. Now he is mounting with a beautiful bnnch, washed and fresh, and hopes for a third prosperous journey. His own words tell Now Zealand that “ manifestly it is impossible ” that she should reach the carrots this year. Will she wait for a third disappointment before she unseats her rider ? Perhaps. The ass of old time was smitten thrice before she opened her mouth.