SIR GEORGE GREY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3755, 9 March 1891, Page 2

SIR GEORGE GREY.

A Brilliant Reception-

Svd et, March 7. Sir George Grey w»s presented with an address from .New Zealand era resident in Sydney at the Town Hall to day. There was a great concourse of people present, including many leading citizens. On rising to express his thanks for the presentation, Sir George received a tremendous ovation. In the course of a most eloqnent address he said that we in this new nation were an example to the Old World how, under a proper system, men might live in peace without keep, ing men ander arms for evor, simply to slaughter each other. Everything had been done in old nations by various devices to divide the people into two classes—one of extreme wealth and tfie other of extreme poverty —nnd this state of things could only be ended by calling into existence a new nation with unfettered laws suited to the moment. His heart moved as he looked down the long vista from Sydney to Melbourne,andfrom Adelaide to Perth, thence across to Cape Colony and through Africa—all founded by the same race of people, which bad done great things in this colony. England's success in colonisation was, lie thought, due to tho freedom which permitted British people to go where they liked, bound only to England by ties of affection. He asked them to conceive what a career Australia would have under a Union such ts the United States of America, and what an opening it would give tho people. In another lifetime such na his it would be a great nation. Regarding the Pacific Islands, he thought it would be the duty of Australian statesmen to consider what race would be most snitab'e to inhabit them. There was every reason to fear that Native races were becoming extinct, and with such

prospects as the Australians possessed the people would have more noble aspirations than othor people erer had. Sir John Robertson and Mr G. R. Dibbs welcomed Sir George Grey to Australia on behalf of the people.