Introductory.

Sir George Grey rose amidst renewed cheering, tie said: Mr. Chairman, ladies, and gentlemen,—Since I last had the pleasure of meeting you here very great events have taken place, and it seems almost necessary that we should on this occasion consider those events regarding wars, and the steps the different colonies have taken in respect of those events. I daresay you will all remember when I addressed you a great movement had been commenced in Australia on the subject of the federation of the Empire, making it one for certain purposes. The idea was then entertained of making New Zealand a sort of province of Australia. We discussed that subject here, and determined that it would be a mistake to do so, and our determination was adopted in the other portions of the colony, and that matter was dropped. (Cheers.) Then, as you will recollect, I gave you a simile which accurately expressed the position. It was that, unknown to Europe and the rest of the world a new people had come into existence, who represented those people whose lives had been passed in the wilds disregarded, and who suddenly rose into life, and all Europe looked to see what this youth would do. I told you then that some other movement would be made by this youth, and that it would be looked for anxiously. I did not know then where that movement would take place, but I had the hope that as the first movement had taken its rise in Australia, the next would be in New Zealand. (Cheers.) That was my hope.