The Wairarapa Daily. TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1888. SIR GEORGE GREY'S PROGRAMME.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2869, 10 April 1888, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1888. SIR GEORGE GREY'S PROGRAMME.

A short time ago, a lament came from the North, saying that Sir George Grey was about to take his departure for England, and suggesting that the Colony should take advantage of this opportunity to make him its plenipotentiary in Downing-street. A more recent account informs ns that he publicly assured an interviewer that he had no immediate intention of leaving New Zealand, and the last rumor is that he is to be a prominent figure in the coming session. Why he was about to sail to England, and why his programme appears to have, been suddenly and mysteriously changed, will not surprise those who have been accustomed to certain sinuosities which are characteristic of the aged Knight. It is, however, now definitely stated that he will be m Wellington during the coming session, and endeavor to obtain the serious consideration of members for his scheme for acquiring large estates, for the purpose of organising a great national system of settlement of people upon the lands of the Colony which are now but sparsely inhabited. It needs no prophet to foretell the fate of Sir George's scheme. He has no following in the House, and the practical outcome of his scheming will probably be infinitesimal. But Sir George's agitation, if it has no effect on our

Colonial legislation, may produce some result, in conjunction with his postponed visit to England, When the coming session is over, it is understood that our great pro-Consul will travel through the United States, and, upon reaching England, take up his abode in London, and fraieraize with Lord Salisbury. It seems rather funny that pur New Zealand Red Radical should, by the time he reaches London, be possessed of sufficient conservative virtue to foregather with the noble chief of the English Cabinet. In Downing-street there will be but little of the .Radical left in Sir George when ho has discussed Sjate-ajded emigration with the Conservative premier of Great Britain. Sir George's programme, taken altogether, seems a remarkably pleasant one for himself, and a very doubtful one for the Colony. He will have his fun in .Wellington! he will then be interviewed right through the States, and on his arriva in London be feted, like all other distinguished colonists. Eminent colonists are now the fashion at Home, and Sir George will be quite a lion. We are, however, forgetting one little item on the programme. Before Sir George leaves our shores, there is to be a public demonstration in 4ucldand in his honor, to mark the deep appreciation entertained there of his great and distinguished career. Sir George is never so happy as whon people praise him, and mako muoh of him, and we can quite understand that the programme he has laid out for himself is a singularly enjoyable one. His appetite for toffey may be fatigued by \ all that he proposes to indulge in, but it will scarcely be satiated.