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Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2053, 3 August 1875, Page 2

THE-Mayor vby:request has calledfa.public meeting ■ to-night," for the purpose.of discussing the provisions of the recently submitted Abolition Bill. It can be regarded we should think in but one light, namely, as most advantageous to the Thames district, but, however that may he, any protest against it would be but of small avail against a Government determined to carry its object, and having a strong majority at its back; whereas, on the other hand, if, as we suppose, the meeting will heartily endorse the action of Government in this matter, the knowledge that the people of the Thames are in favour of the Bill, will, to Sir George Grey — who has always shown that the interests of the Thames have his warmest good will—-be some inducement to withdraw the fruitless opposition he seems determined to make. Anyhow we are glad that the meeting has been called, In the first place if the sympathies of the Thames, go with: the Bill, it will show the Opposition who spoke of the duty of appealing- to the country in what way, so far as we are concerned, the wishes of the country tend, and in the second because we are glad to see a measure of such importance as this discussed in'public-by those who may be called upon to carry out its - provisions, and the advantages and disadvantages fairly set before the people. :'■ x "■■ ■■' . „-.'> ,:\ ;■ ■■';■ --y. :

It would appear that Sir jGeorge Grey has fired his first shot over the Tairua business, and that Mr Mackay has returned the fire with heavy metal. Sir George complains that Mr Mackay admitted private rights to water and, timber over the Tairua block although purchased by the Government. Mr Mackay in effect says that : in acting ias he did he was but following a precedent established by Sir George Grey himself in former years, and confirmed by the Government. So far Mr Mackay appears to have much the best of it. He is not so much to blame as the system which j has grown up in the colony, from which a precedent can be evolved to confirm private individuals in rights obtained by (in some cases) setting the law at defiance.. If the Government would - prohibit the acquirement of rights—either to land, timber or water—direct from the Native owners, there would be. fewer abuses of the kind which Sir George Grey seems bent upon bringing to light.