THE JUBILEE OF OTAGO.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9990, 21 March 1898, Page 5

THE JUBILEE OF OTAGO.

By Dr. Hocken. The Editor of the Press has asked mc to write a short paper on the subject of the jubilee of the Otago province, and I gladly accede to the request, feeling sure that it is unnecessary to solicit the sympathetic interest of the people of Canterbury in these commemorative rejoicings. Two years hence they themselves will be celebrating their own provincial jubilee, and the good wishes of their Southern friends will be with them at that time, when they do honour to those fine and masterly souls, the Pilgrim Fathers of 1850. Happily there is reason- to believe that interprovineial ill-feeling (in_o far as it ever existed) is now but an unpleasant memory of the past, or at all events that jealousy between provinco and province is rapidly disappearing before the claims of a common patriotism. And here a word about our colonial patriotism—or the need of it—may, perhaps, not bo thought irrelevant. One cannot help thinking sometimes that patriotic sentiment is made too little account of in New Zealand, thought signs of progress in this respect are not wanting. There has certainly been consid« erable growth in our Imperial patriotism— our realisation of kinship, and, indeed, oneness of destiny with tha ; great couutry from which we, or our fathers, came. We are learning to appreciate more adequately all that is involved in that fine phrase of the late Sir Henry Parkos's, ' 'The soarlet thread of kinship." No doubt there are still many in our midst who, for various reasons, are inclined to belittle this Imperial sentiment, though it might be supposed that the practical sense of self-interest arid, selfpreservation, apart from consideration _.f affection for their racial forbears, would teach them the wiser doctrine. It has been clearly shown during the last few years that Great Britain values the prestige which is conferred by a close Imperial unity, and it is generally admitted that a deep impression was made upon the Continental people, and governments by the proof of that unity so splendidly displayed at the Queen's Jubilee. And if Great Britain valuer the active sympathy, and affection of the colonies, how much more (especially, in these days of warlike rumour) do the colonies need the countenance of Great Britain and the defensive security of tha Imperial name and resources I Rudyard Kipling, in one of his finest poems, represents tho Mother Country addressing the colonies and declaring— >

" So long as the Blood endures, I shall feel that your good is mine, ye shall know that my strength is yours ; In the day of Armageddon, at the last great fight of all, That our House stands together and the pillars do not fall." Then, besides Imperial patriotism, beside, the thrilling sense that we are " children of Britain's island-breed, on whom the Mother, in her need, may chance one day to call"-" there is our colonial patriotism, our national feeling as New Zealandera.". While forming part of the British Empire, New Zealand is at the same time a nation, and it is to be hoped that the feeling of a common New Zealand patriotism will grow steadily from year to year, and that parents and teachers will not fail to inculcate the lesson of this great and salutary sentiment in connection with the education of the young. I cannot help feeling that the history of the colony is not sufficiently brought before the minds of the rising generation. Surely the subject is not wanting in interest. I speak iroxp experience when I say that the more closely the annals of New Zealand are studied the more interesting and even engrossing do they become. There should be no difficulty in explaining to our boys and girls the nature and the reasonableness of the two kinds of patriotism just mentioned.

I must confess that I have no great love for what it is possible to call provincial patriotism, While appreciating and approving the feeling which prompts the people of Otago, and will shortly prompt the people of Canterbury, to celebrate a provincial jubilee, it would be a thousand pities if these commemorations bad the effect of intensifying an exclusive provincial sentiment or encouraging a provincial father than a national patriotism. The' early history of New Zealand was a history of clearly defined provincial distinctions, and for some years (partly owing to the difficulty of communication) hie province meant more to a New Zealander than his country ; nay, it may almost be said that the province was his country. Hence the events, the personages and the traditions of the province became matters of special 'interest. and affection, and it ib fitting enough that at the end of fifty yes_s there should be a jubilant and sentimental celebration, with particular reference to the far-off beginnings and particular honour to the survivors of the pioneers who directed those beginnings—not, forgetting the memorial honours ' due to those who have passed away.. But it is nevertheless certain that the distinctive importance of the province is destined to become' less and less, while the importance of the nation will steadily increase, and the tendency is surely in the right direction. Let us have our own provincial heroes and pioneers"; let us _ delight in our provincial traditions and

records, round whioh so many affectionate memories cluster; and let* us. enjoy our season of sentimental commemoration, but let us not finish with a determination to magnify our province at the expense of our neighbours, and perpetuate petty distinctions and antipathies, which cannot fail to stand in the way of a genuine national patriotism. I started, you will remember, with a reference to the feelings of mutual kindliness which then: jubilees should engender between Canterbury and Otago, and I am prepared to defend the apparently paradoxical doctrine that the celebration of a provincial Jubilee should tend to the minimising and final disappearance of provincial exclusiveness.

I shall not be expected on the' present occasion to write a history of the Otago Province, or even to trace tbe main events of the half century. X have' written about Otago history in detail elsewhere, but- just now, and for readers in another province, a few remarks of a general character .will perhaps be more interesting than a record of particulars. It is needless to recapitulate the progress of, the colonising scheme, with its fair promise, its vexatious difficulties, ; .ta arduous struggle, its final triumph. Canterbury readers doubtless know something of the inception ard character of the Scottish and Presbyterian settlement, ev<_ as the people of Otago are by no means ignorant ol ■ " _•' i

the history of the Anglican project, which may be said to have its memorial centre in Christchurch Cathedral. It is fair to remember that both projects had the benefit of the lessons taught by the history of the colonising efforts ip the northern part of New Zealand. In the north the Wakefield system tried its 'prentice hand, so to speak ; in the south it operated more easily and effectively. The admirable provision made for education in both of the southern provinces is an instanccin point, and it is needless to say that these early educational advantages continue to benefit tfce people of Canterbury and Otago to the present day. In tlw original scheme of the Otago settlement special prominence was given to religious and educational concerns. In the report circulated by the Otago Association mention was made of "the provision made in the scheme—and that for the first time in any British enterprise of the kind (with one, or perhaps two, exceptions of an early date) —for a church and a stated Christian ministry, and for schools and teachers from the very outset, and for the increase and continuance of these institutions as the colony advances." Otago may claim to have overcome difficulties which the promoters of Canterbury colonisation were not called upon to experience, at all events to so great an extent. Not only were the preliminary difficulties very great—difficulties in Scotland, and between the promoters and with the calmly indifferent Colonial Office of those days— but it must be remembered that the Otago project was in one sense a much more modest scheme than that of Canterbury. That is, the settlement of Otago was not aided by so imposing a number of rich, influential and high-born men. Still, although the first settlers of Otago had neither Bishops nor noblemen as patrons, yet a large body of gentlemen of eminence and good social standing took a warm interest in the S-hcine, mainly, perhaps, ,becaur.e, having themselves escaped from the thraldom of the established Kirk of Scotland at the time of the Disruption, they felt bound to assist the New Free Kirk in any and every way. In regard to the settlers themselves, it is not possible to give too much credit to those Otago pioneers, with their stern endurance, self-denying thrift, and fine simplicity of character and habit. No doubt there was a certain amount of narrowness in those days, but this was perhaps inseparable from the sectarian character of the settlement. If this rigidity was a fault, there were compensating good qualities in abundance. It may not have been an attractive lifo from an intellectual or aesthetic standpoint; but it was a life strong in unsophisticated honour, moral purpose, and a special order of religious zeal. The sons of those fathers may well have a wholesome pride of ance .ry, and Otago can hardly pay too much honour to the memory and the work of the " old identities." Moreover, it must not be thought that no material progress was made in those struggling years from 1840 to 1861. It has been the fashion to suggest that Otago would have progressed but little if gold not been found. As a matter of fact, however, the early settlors got on very well, considering the difficulties-they had to overcome, and fair progress was made. Immigration schemes were carried through with considerable success. Then came the discovery of gold, with the incursion of diggers, &c, from Australia and other parts, and Otago, from being the poorest, quickly became the richest province in the colony. It is. of course, unquestionable that the impetus thus given to commercial enterprise of one kind and another formed the real start of the material prosperity of the province, and those who enjoy tho various advantages of the present day should not forget the debt owing to the " men' of the sixties " —the capable, adventurous* and vigorous spirits who brought their fresh and diversified qualities to bear upon the life of the earlier race.

Much has been said and written about the attitude adopted by the "old identity" towards the " new iniquity," and though one cannot but recognise that the revolution (for such it really may be called) was inevitable and salutary, at the same time it is possible to sympathise with the feelings of the old exclusive set, thus rudely disturbed by a "rush" of men of alien characteristics and antipathetic motives. To be obliged to tolerate an Episcopalian Church in the Free Kirk province was hard enough, but the experience of 1861 was infinitely harder.

The time had come for old restrictions to be broken in upon, and for the inception of a fuller life ; but the people of Otago will always value highly the capital foundation laid by the first settlers, and the stamina of their inherent character will, it is to be hoped, be an hereditary possession for ever. The movement and vivacity of the sixties constitutes a clear gain, but we may well give thanks for the sterling qualities that marked the men and women of an earlier day

A word must bo said concerning the distinguished personalities of Otago. There has been no lack of capable public men, though it may be that our celebrities have not usually been equal in culture and intellectual power to the giants of some of the other provinces. Among the original settlers, the names of Captain Cargill and the Rev. Thomas (afterwards Dr.) Burns are most conspicuous, and both were men of mark in their different ways. They have been styled the Moses and Aaron of the settlement. There can be no question as to the value of Captain CargilFs services as leader during the early years. It is now thirty-eight years since he passed away, and the number of those who remember him is rapidly diminishing, but his honourable ?lace in the history of Otago is secure, 'he memory of Dr. feurns is, Btill warmly cherished, and certainly it would have been difficult to find a more suitable leader in religious concerns for this particular settlement. Perhaps he was a little narrow, but his integrity, dignity, and public spirit were no less admirable than the fatherly care with whifth he ministered to the spiritual needs of the flock. Dr. Stuart was the representative Presbyterian minister and citizen of a later day, and his activity is of such a recent date that his virtues need hardly be dwelt upon. James Macandrew should not go unmentioned. His arrival early in the fifties undoubtedly gave a great impetus to commercial enterprise in the province, and to bim belongs the credit of developing the resources of Otago in many ways. Whatever bis faults may have been he loved and served Otago well, and many a struggling settler has owed ultimate success to Macandrew's helping hand. The cultured and distinguished Major Richardson was a man whose name the people of Otago have "reason to hold in honour, and his services in the interest of education were of great value. Mr CutUm is remembered as the most prominent journalist of the early days; he was shrewd, honest and clevor, and his little paper, while displaying no great literary ability, was always characterised by excellently sound sense and public spirit. Apart from merely {irovinuial concerns, Otago has given her air share of distinguished men to the service of the State. Many names might be mentioned, but those ol Richardson, Macandrew, Vogel, Gillies, and Stout may serve as instances.

Looking back on the history of these fifty years, and noting the struggles and vicissitudes, the trials and the triumphs, which mark its course, we cannot but feel that the people of Otago have reasonable ground for congratulating themselves upon the point of progress which they have reached. They may justly feel honest pride in the past, and entertain confident hope for the future. May the province continue to advance in prosperity and good fame, co-ope-rating heartily aud patriotically with the other parts of* the colony ! and when fifty more years have gone by, and the centenary of Otago is celebrated, may the writers of that day, looking back in their turn over the second half century, be able to tell an honourable tale of continued and progressive welfare.