WAIKATO REGIMENTS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2683, 21 February 1866, Page 6

WAIKATO REGIMENTS.

To the Editor of the Daily Souther* Cross. Sib, — In all the difficulties and depressions of the Australian colonies, there is no such occurrence on record as that of the meeting of the wives and families of the Waikato regiments, reported in your issue of this morning. When Colonel Pitt tempted the Victorians by promises of. land, aud the means to settle on and cultivate the land, the Victorian Press solemnly warned the people that the New Zealand Government could not, and would not if they- could, ltQ»p faith with the persons whom they lured from their homes. These' warnings were neglected, and the result is • meeting of women and little children, destitute and starving, through the infamous conduct of men who persuaded their husbands and' father! to abandon the means of lifing they then possessed, and with lying words got them here to help to beat back the cannibal wretches who were trying to ride rough-shod over the colonists of New Zealand. Sir, the way in which these promises to these men have been kept, you and all the world know. This meeting of the wives and children of the Waikato Militia' will be held in remembrance, to the everlasting disgrace of the Government of New Zealand— a disgrace which no time can erase. Can nothing be done for these people ? Will the women of Auckland »it down with folded hands, and let their *wtem perish? Are there no motheri here who wjll try if they cannot make up bundles of clothing for the naked bodies of the little children and shoes for their blistered and weary feet? With the Government part of the question

women can do uothing; but they can surely do something towards feeding and clothing these hapless women and children. Even if they are strangers— eveu if their husbands and fathers are " new identities,"— what then ? Are they not of our own blood and country ? Are they not our fellow-beings, one with us in all things ? Sir, I appeal to you as a man, a father, a husband, a brother, if you stand in any or all of these relations, to try and get somethiug done. Let it never be said that the women of Auckland stood idly by, and let these poor sufferers starve, whilst the help that will be asked for from Victoria is coming.— l am, Ac, A Victorian Woman.