LATE GREAT DEMONSTRATION. — MR. WHITAKER'S SPEECH.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3352, 14 April 1868, Page 4

LATE GREAT DEMONSTRATION. — MR. WHITAKER'S SPEECH.

lo thrßdltorof UhDailt Southwut Caoss. Sib,— A considerable part' of Mr. Wbitaker't able ■peeoh wm occupied in deprecating all attempts to form religioui or political associations in thii colony. He argues that there ii no necessity for snob because perfect political religious equality prevails, and every civil office in the State is open to men of all creeds, if only they have the wish and the necessary qualifications to fill them, and, he might hare added, the influence to get appointed. I have some reason to doubt if the equality be really such in practice as Mr. Whitaker here represents. I maintain that, in a democratic and constitutional government such as onrs, the existence of religions and political associations is unavoidable. I speak, of course, with reference to associations whose ends are lawful, and whose proceedings are open and conducted in a peaceable and becoming manner. Mr. Whitaker cannot, if he would, confine the feelings of colonists exclusively to the affairs of their own adopted country. We are citizens of the world as well as colonists of New Zealand. The principles of justice which we all wish to see prevail amongst ourselves we also would wish to see vindicated elsewhere, especially in the beloved land of our birth, from which neither we nor our posterity can erer be entirely estranged.. It savours of a narrow-minded selfishness to attempt to concentrate all our feelings of patriotism and philanthropy upon our adopted country. The idea of putting down by force any religious or political association here, if some ' of its members commit criminal or foolish actions, repudiated by the body to which they belong, is a somewhat inconsistent sentiment coming from a professed advocate of political and religions liberty and equality. So long as justice has to contend against injustice, so long as truth has to defend herself against error, there will be everywhere necessity for religious and political combinations of the people. Mr. Whitaker would hardly maintain that in New Zealand justice, truth, and honesty are in the ascendant in our political circles. If they were, the colony would not now be sunk so low, both in a moral and financial point of view. lam an advocate for party war in » free government like ours, provided it be waged in a fair and temperate spirit, and carried forward by constitutional means. The more spirited such a war, the more likely are we to see truth and honesty prevail in high places, and in humbler places too. Bat this sort of war almost necessarily implies popular associations of a religious and political character, It is the absence of* all such in this colony, and the consequent apathy with which the people have regarded, and even now regard, the most objectionable acts of their rulers, that have brought so much injury upon us, and are likely to bring more. A select few have had things all to themselves, and the people have tamely acquiesced. Is this to last ? We are laying the foundations of a great new empire. Let us ask, who laid the foundations of that empire which we purpose to take as our model, and on what principles did our ancestors build up that noble political structure of which every Englishman is justly so proud ? Principles long in abeyance are beginning to regain their former influence in the land of our birth. The Catholic party there is now beginning to assume its fair share of political power, and it is -fitting it should do so here too. From circumstanced net necessary to enter upon here, that party, if consistent, must ever pursue a path somewhat distinct from other parties in the State, but, when under honest *nd independent leaders, will ever act in support of justice and of popular rights. The number of Catholics in this province is not small; That they are energetic and patriotic is certain. Whatever may be their sympathy for their oppressed countrymen in old Ireland, they must know thatianything they can do for them here will be of no account. Let them then abandon their Fenian and violent enthusiasm on behalf of the old country/rand, as Mr. Whitaker suggested, turn thenthoughts to the improvement of their adopted country. There is dishonesty and injustice to be put down here no less than in Ireland, though not on uo large a scale. Let them combine to advance political honesty and their own principles together. Let them choose a leader of integrity, ability, and prudence, and religiously abstain from violent language or actions. But their leader must not be a satellite of any great man or clique. He must be independent, not necessarily wealthy. Such a party, thus led, would, even though small, make its influence felt at the hustings, and, therefore, in the Legislature. And, with all/ due respect for Mr. Wbitaker's opinion, 111 1 maintain that such a party would be desirable though. 'consisting exclusively of Catholics. It is open, of course, for men of other views to combine for similar lawful objects. — I •m, &&, R.C.