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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 24

Major Richardson and Sir George Grey

Major Richardson and Sir George Grey.

Major Richardson thought it necessary, in his speech at the Clutha, to refer to the opinions of Sir George Grey, and of others, expressed some years ago, as to what would probably be the fate of Provincial Councils. It is rather a curious argument, that we should do away with those Councils, because certain great men, 20, or 10, or 5 years ago, said that they believed we should grow up to such a result; for it would be strange if such predictions should prove to be correct, however clever those who made them might be. Major Richardson did read such opinions from, amongst others, Sir George Grey: but it is only justice to Sir George to say that he long since altered those opinions—(hear, hear)—and recognised that Provincial Institutions were more enduring than he originally conceived them to be. I cannot acquit Major Richardson of a certain amount of want of frankness in reading such quotations; because, in the Assembly, last session, when he attempted to do the same kind of thing, the Hon. Mr Johnston, pointed out how ridiculous it was to attribute any weight to such prophetic utterances, and added, "As to Sir George Grey, I have a much later expression of his opinion, to the effect that Provincial Councils require to be elevated and improved." The Hon. Mr Johnston read to the House, according to Hansard, this extract from a despatch by Sir George Grey:—

In my previous despatches, I have generally supposed that the Provincial Councils would eventually merge into a kind of Municipal Councils. But the rapid growth of these settlements in wealth and prosperity, and the turn events are taking, now lead me to think that they will will always remain distinct and separate Provinces, and that provision should be made for enabling their pre sent form of Government, consisting of one chamber, to be changed by the General Legislature, into a form of Government composed of a Legislative Council and House of Representatives, whenever the number of inhabitants in any Province, and its wants, might render such a change in its form of Government practicable and desirable.

Was it fair of Major Richardson, to quote Sir George Grey as he did at the Clutha? I think not; and, therefore, I felt bound to state to you what passed in the Assembly last session, on the same point.—(Hear, hear.)