New-York tribune., 1908-08-08
TIE Ife of Great Colonial
4dmsnistrdtOr.

ID A.
Dufton & Co.
r-. brilliant colonial history of England owes
,,-h 70 the splendid line Of administrators
.o,, she has been able to send out 70 her dis
-.,+ rsossessaous- They have often assumed vast
-.,~4sdhiIsties without special training. but
,srr Of the bureau stamp has been more than
:. m hv enthusiasm. Imagination and SYM
.hv OF such was Sir George Grey. whose
,ro-ous personality left a marked impress on
.ha early history Of Australia New zealand
- co,,th Africa His was q singulariy inter
ns-ine n somewhat paradoxical career as pio-
- NJ empire in Southern lands. An ad-
,oe6 radical as TO policies. he was often at
o56s with his s1periors in the home govern
-. while his autocratic methods and domi-
.,,z Individuality brought him into frequent
st,- with his associates and suborninates.
Gorge Grey was born in 1872 member Of a
-,g1i.srv and an ar.stocratic family. and at the
rorer age entered the army as a matter OF
r-se But his tastes and ambitions not being
,,ite5 n the slow methods of service promotion.
he obtained command st twenty-five of an expe-
5tion sent to explore and report upon the un-
t-,ov7 western coast of Australia In this ca-
-sci-v his energy. his resourcefuness and his
s,eres+ in the natives so impressed the authori-
,;es that though less than thirty. he was selected
ss Governor Of South Australia at time when
6, unfortunate administration had involved the
colony fn considera bic embarrassment 1t is
e5lass II mention the steps by which he
.,-v,e5 bankruptcy into prosperity and earned
,-on7ofion from the following enconium from
LORD John Russell. Colonial Secretary: In Civ
inc him the government of South Australia
ave him as difficult a problem in colonial gov
---,e7+ as could be committed TO any man. and
must say. after four or five years experience
of his administration there, that he has solved
-be n-ohleu7 with degree of energy and sue
cess which could hardly have expected from
anv man.
Ner Zealand was the next scene of his labors,
and he assumed Office at the time Of a Maori
zs- Many vexatious questions relative TO the
natives vera constantly arising. and especially
- regard 70 the ownership of land. The Maoris
held lsnd in common and there were no proper
rifles L was an arduous task 70 preserve the
balance between native rights and the fegitI-
mate interests Of settlers. Grey keenly in
favor Of encouraging small holdings and ex-
erred himself 70 put down speculation in land
He froR-ned upon the land claims set up by
missionaries and precipitated q lively contro-
versy By intimating that g few individuals who
were sent out 10 & country al the expense OF
pious people il order 10 spread the truths Of the
Gospel had possessed themselves of large tracts
OF land from ignorant natives over whom they
policy seems 10 have made itself felt down 10
the present day He also favored a low rate Of
franchise and anticipated theoretically at least
some of the advanced theories OF government
that have vogue in New Zealand in our time
When he laid down the reins after an admins
1ration conducted for eight years with marked
ability and success he had won the respect and
gratitude Of natives and European settlers as
well as the commendation and approval of the
English government
Sir George Grey's projects for the improve
rent and civilization Of the Maoris had borne
such good fruit that the home government was
anxious u apply the same frrnness and judg-
nent in the management of the Kaffirs who
were giving great deal of trouble just then.
Grey was therefore appointed Governor Of Cape
Colony and High Commissioner for South
Africa. His term Of office. covering seven years.
vas much the most valuable as well as the most
interesting Of his administrations. showing his
remarkable foresight and capacity for rising TO
emergencies. his power OF conceiving great and
benefcent plans and Of sustained energy in car
lying them into effect, Of careful provision
against disaster and Of applying unexpected
turns in native policy 10 the security Of the col
ony- Questions Of education interested him from
TIE start and the eternal native problem.
English ragnanirnity proclaimed in 1929 all
Hottentots and other free persons OF color re-
siding within the limits Of Cape Colony 10 be in
the most full and ample manner entitled TO all
and every right. benefit and privilege to which
any othe- British subjects entitled The Beers.
Who had lived among the Hottentots for centuries,
founded their opinions not on sentiment but
perence. with q resultant Of virtual slavery. To
Grey the natives were able bodied children, and
re realized the moral danger Of yielding them
al the privileges Of civilized communities. In
this attitude he was ahead Of his time. and also
in the great matter Of expansion and federation
which he foreshadowed and advocated at
hour when timid public opinion in England was
disposed To apologize for the size and value Of
England's colonies. Differences on this subject
leading To outright insubordination caused
Grey's recall after brilliant administration of
seven years. During this period occurred the
Indian -futiny. and if Sir George Grey had
other claim 10 remembrance ne would be entitled
n the gratitude Of his country for the invalu-
able assistance he contributed in forwarding
troops u the scene Of conflict
L is unfortunate for Sir George Grey's repu-
tatton that his second term as Governor Of New
Zealand and his brief occupancy of the Premier
ship % that colony were full Of discord and dis
agreement. and led to practical failure. And yet
his policies and the things he stood for
Vita and potent to-day as when they were enun-
ciated
He vas recalled from South Africa Tsays his
oiogTaphe-l in 1883 and dropped by the Colonial
ynce II IS6e On both occasions he fell hghtlng
fo- winning The federation Of South
AFRICA Is contamination devoUcly TO be wished.
and colonial self-government Is siHe qua non or
imperial unity And the same observation Is
Lrue q MS parliamentary career Self-WilI led TO
MS desertion and deposition: but his policy re
NAMED and was never more powerful than ~ III, IS
rainiscry Is in power the time of writing with
Nj Thomas Price its head. and his policy is
SSiTnost exactly the same that founded by SIR