New Plymouth, September 16th. 1872. Dear Sir, We were all very much surprised at the result of Mr. Stafford's want of confidence motion. It is, I believe, generally regretted by the Country as well as by the settlers of New Plymouth. It is, however, generally believed that the present Ministry cannot last out the present Session. The natives generally are very much cast down about the change in the head of their Department. Although I believe the present Ministry cannot outlive the Session, yet I fear even the change for that short time will tend very much to complicate the Native question. The Stafford Ministers have always been regarded by the Natives as war Ministers; and his name at the head of any Government will be distrusted by the natives. There are three candidates in the field for the seat in the Ministry (Assembly) vacated by Mr. Gisborne - (Mr. Moorhouse, Major Atkinson, and Ballance, Editor of the "Wanganui Herald.") The latter has not a shadow of a chance. Mr. Moorhouse is, I fear, too late in the field. Major Atkinson, it is reported, is a supporter of Stafford. This, however, he distinctly denied to me, when he asked me if I would give him my vote. I told him that I would not vote for any supporter of Stafford Ministry, as I considered the Native question of the most importance, and Mr. Stafford's management of Native matters would only lead to a ruinous war. Major Atkinson said he quite agreed with me; that if possible, the Native Department should be permanently under your control for some years, to ensure peace. He said he preferred Mr. Stafford to Mr. Fox, but thought a new Ministry should be formed this Session, leaving both these gentlemen out, and taking the best men from both sides. Whether Major Atkinson is sincere or not, I cannot say; but I believe he will get the majority of votes, as Mr. Moorhouse is so late in the field. I have spoken to several who agree with me that the best way will be to pledge the Member before polling day. With the exception of about a dozen votes, all are dead against the Stafford Ministry. Whoever goes, will go I think, pledged to the Electors. The largest Parihaka meeting ever held is now taking place. All the Coast natives, and natives in the vicinity of New Plymouth, besides natives from Wellington, Wanganui and Waikato, are there. There must be over two thousand. What the topics of discussion are to be, Te Whiti has not yet announced. The 17th. and 18th. is to be the opening day. Although numbers have been assembled since the commencement of the month, I fear Mr. Stafford's name at the head of the Ministry, will have a bad effect on the Meeting. I remain Yours very truly, (Signed) P.J. Wilson.