Political News.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 126, 8 May 1884, Page 2

Political News.

THE CANDIDATES. Tiirr ls : is very little moving in the election line, and Messrs. Gannon and Locke are still in the Wairoa actively engaged canvassing for votes, whilst the la’ter gentleman’s friends are pushing matters in town. Nothing much is heard of Mr. Rees and his friends, who, no doubt, rely much on the platform and the effect which Sir George Grey's visit may have on the elections. But there is too many thoughtful men in the Bay now to be led away by the “ fatal eloquence ” which has lured so many of our Native friends to destruction, and the “ pawn shop influence ” will have but little effect outside the overdraft circle. There can be little doubt but what the treatment which we have experienced at the bands of the Grey party through their tool. Mr. McDonald, will have a most wholesome effect in preventing our being handed over to the Philistines. The compilation and revision of the rolls are being actively pushed forward, and the printing of the same at this office will shortly be commenced. A large number of additional names have been added, and the roll will consist of 32 pages.

[Per Press Association.] SIR GEO. GREY AT CHRISTCHURCH. Wellington, May 8. Sir George Grey addressed a meeting of 2,500 people in Christchurch last night. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair. Sir George was received with prolonged cheers. Referring to his last speech there, he claimed to be really the member for Christchurch, and predicted that the day would come when the resolution depriving him of that honor would be expunged from the records of the House. He then reviewed the early history of the Canterbury settlement, tracing to it most of the ills now felt by the people, and saying that when Canterbury was founded the chief men saw they had no slaves, and so they made laws whereby laborers were to concontinue laborers for a certain period of time in order to supply the labor done in ancient Greece by slaves. He alluded to his own exertions as Governor in resisting the endowments of the State Church and other similar proposals, and pointed out the monopoly of power exercised by the large land owners, and the hardships consequently inflicted on the poor by the rich. As a remedy he most strongly urged a land tax which would reach the unearned increment. Railway rates and other things were of minor importance. This was the primary object. They should at all hazards place in power men who would adopt this tax. Then they might talk about . land naturalization, but not before. He complained of Government using Parliamentary forms to try and silence and burke his bills. He ridiculed the national insurance scheme and condemned the action of the Governor in appointing delegates to the Federation Conference. He also condemned Federation itself. Regarding Native lands, he thought the Natives should sell their land through the Government in small blocks at a fair but not exorbitant price. In reply to a question as to whether he would follow Mr. Montgomery, Sir George Grey said he had resigned the leadership of the Opposition, but was able to walk about and do what was right and just. He would not make terms with anyoiie. At the conclusion of Grey’s meeting, on the motion of Mr. G. Dorney, President of the Working Men’s Political Association, seconded by Mr. F. Guinis, the following resolution was carried amidst a storm of cheers, only four hands being held up against it.—“ That this meeting having heard Sir Geo. Grey’s opinions on the present political crisis, heartily approves of them, and considers that the future welfare of the Colony depends on the carrying out of the principles therein expressed, and recognises Sir G. Grey as the most fitting leader for the purpose of doing so.” Sir George thanked the meeting most heartily for the kindness expressed towards him, and said that although he was getting old, and could not serve much longer, they might depend upon it he would work for the good of the people of New Zealand as long as he could.

I reuter’s telegrams.] Adelaide, May 9. It is rumored that a vote of want of confidence in the Government will be moved in the House of Assembly soon after the metting of the new Parliament.