New Zealand’s Nation Builders

Evening Star, Issue 19894, 16 June 1928, Page 11

New Zealand’s Nation Builders

No. 5 Sir Frederick Aloysius Weld, G.C.M.G. The “Self-Reliant” Premier [Written by W. B. Scott, for the ‘ Evening Star.’] . [Am. Rights Resehved.]

Frederick Aloysius Weld was one of God’s gentlemen. In person he was very tall, slim, erect in carriage, looking the world in the face with a modest self-confidence. _ Incapable of meanness or deception, he was often too trustful of those about him. No one could withstand the spell_ of his peculiar charm, for his principles were so exalted that any departure from them by so much as a liair-brendth never presented itself to his 'imagination in the light of a possibility. As a statesman he was honest and fearless, _ inspired by a perfectly unostentatious piety, and beyond everything else so transparently simple, in the highest sense, that it was easy for him to win tho confidence of'men. A friend of his onco said: “The boy’s heart in him was never subdued, and the purity of the boy never tarnished. Ho was a remarkably handsome man, with his white hair and white Dundreary whiskers', his fine figure, his calm, honest, pale blue eyes, those transparent casements out of which there looked a soul utterly at peace with its God. with its neighbors, and with itself. He dwells in my memory ns perhaps the finest gentleman that I have ever known.” When Weld, owing to_ a serious breakdown in health, loft New Zealand Air Dillon-Bell, referring to his departure in Parliament, said; “Air Weld hold, perhaps alone among the public of New Zealand, the place of a man whose word was never doubted, whose honour was never questiond, whose advice was always sought, and whose counsel was never refused in cases of public difficulty.” During 1859 Weld experienced a most dangerous lilnoss, and this induced a delicacy of constitution that proved a severe handicap nil his days. _ The strenuous term of his political life in New Zealand proved too much for his health.

At a later date the ‘ New Zealand Times ’ expressed tho desire that Weld should . bo invited .to .return to New Zealand. “Again we say the man who first raised the standard of sell-

WELD AS A PIONEER

The name of Weld is unknown among the younger generation of our land, possibly on account of the brevity of his political career, but in more ways ■ than one he is entitled to be included in the list of New Zealand’s nation builders. He did great work as a pioneer. He was the first mail to explore the province of Nelson and some other parts of tho South Island, including the discovery of a pass between Canterbury and Marlborough, which had the effect of bringing these two provinces into close touch with eacli other. He was also the author of several valuable papers and pamphlets, at a time when they were most needed by intending settlers. The most valuable of these was entitled ‘Hints to Intending Sheep Farmers iu New Zealand.’

A» a young man of twenty, Weld's thoughts turned to New Zealand, and he reached our shores in 1814. lie became a squatter when the Maou was still in full possession of the land, and his personal experiences include many thrilling incidents. He left England with a modest sum of golden sovereigns in a bag, a land order from the New Zealand Company for 100 acres, and another for a town lot in the city of Wellington. Weld arrived at a time of great discouragement. “The Governor, Captain Fitzroy, was quite unequal to the situation;” There was a standing feud between the Government and the New Zealand Company. The settlers could not get possession of the land they had bought and paid for, and public meetings had been held at Wellington, where the New Zealand Company had established its headquarters to debate the question whether it would not be better to abandon the country and move ‘ en masse’ to South America.’

Weld never tost heart. “I liked the country from the beginning, and believed it had a great future before it.”

After taking his bearings, he said: “1 made up my mind that sheep farmers alone were likely to prove remunerative to New Zealand, and to give it that impetus which it required to save it from disaster.” He recognised that there were great difficulties to be faced, because there was no pasture land in the hands of the Government, which discouraged all enterprise in that direction for fear of opposition from the Natives, and also the means, of transportation and communication were difficult through the absence of roads in a very wild country, abounding in

WELD’S POLITICAL LIFE

Two events in Weld’s life definitely shaped his future career. He had a partner who was called to England. This dela'ved Weld’s own visit to the Old Land,' as it was impossible for both to be out of the country at tho same time. The orher event was an invitation by Sir George Grey, the Hovornor, to join his Legislative Council. Ho declnod this offer, regarding the Governor’s Council ns a means of taking responsibility off Sir George Greys shoulders without having any real direction in the affairs of the colony. Weld disliked tho idea of acting as a puppet, and ho also preferred dictatorship by Grey if there could bo no degree of self-government. The upshot of tho invitation was that Weld was definitely launched upon a political career. lie appreciated Governor Grev’s kindness and good intentions, blit he joined tho Settlers’ Association to defend the interests of the settlers. One of tho objects of this association was the substitution of responsible government for the dictatorship of tho Governor. Weld could be tho friend of Governor Grey, and not a toady. The Governor appreciated tins attitude. . , • Weld paid his visit to England in 1 §sl. and returned to New Zealand the following year. The Assembly was summoned to'meet in 1854, and Weld was returned for Wairau. His first pecch in the colony’s first Parliament was en the question of responsible government. After several days’ debate a resolution was passed affirming that it was most important that Ministerial responsibility should bo established in thecomluct of the legislative and executive proceedings of tho. colony In this Parliament Weld, Dillon-Bell, Fitzgerald, and Sewell worked together. Tlisy led the Assembly to declare that -isnij oi[} pnjsir.Mv or pouiuuopp scm p

reliance and boro it to tho front amid the acclamation of tho colony is the man we want. Had ho been in power during the last three years wo should not have seen the present reign of anarchy. Send for Air Weld.” However, the doctor stood between Mr Weld and an acceptance of the invitation. Lord Granville in 18(59 offered him the position of Governor (1 West Australia, and he'immediately accepted the honour. Though now definitely separated from New Zealand, his interest in this country lasted until the end of his life. In 1891 Sir Frederick AVeld paid a visit to the Malay States,' and there contracted gastric fever and jaundice. On Ins return to England lie rallied for a time, but the improvement was only temporary, and ho passed away on July 20th, 1891. Sir George Grey, referring to his death in the New' Zealand Parliament, said: “ Having lived on terms of great friendship with him, I can truly say that ho was not only able but distinguished in every relation of life. I have known him in many capacities, and have never seen him fail to distinguish himself, although he was often placed in positions of extreme difficulty.” On the same occasion, the Hon. C. C. Bowen added his tribute: “He reverenced bis conscience as his king. I do not believe that it was possible for him to bo swayed by an ignoble motive, far less to be capable of any ignoble action. He was honoured and trusted by everyone who came into .relation with him, and he was loved by all who knew him well.” Weld died a comparatively poor man. He was open-handed by instinct, and regarded his emoluments us a governor as a trust to do good with and as a means of dispensing hospitality. Unlike Gibbon Wakefield, the subject of our sketch possessed no complex character, and its leading feature may he condensed into one word, loyalty—loyalty to his God, his religion (all whom he loved), his country, and his sovereign.

dense forsests, steep lulls,'rivers, and morasses. Added to these difficulties was the. necessity of Jiving almost alone in the midst of warlike and turbulent tribes, whose confidence needed to be gained by uniform tact and firmness. Weld contended that the first step was to get tho assent of the Natives to the occupation of certain defined areas at a fixed annual payment, but the Government refused to recognise any such agreement. Weld’s contention was justified in later days, when it was discovered that such agreements were the foundation of subsequent prosperity and a definite contribution to tho civilisation of tho Natives and tho establishment of good relations between tbe brown and white settlers. Weld’s story of his early days and experiences throw a sidelight On tho unconscious heroism, the indomitable energy’, and abounding optimism of the early colonists. He says; “1 was not long in starting my new life. Clifford, Vavasour, and u etre had entered into negotiations with some chiefs in the interior, and were about to start a pioneer sheep station in the newly-dis-covered Wairarapa Valley. T at once offered my services to help get sheep to the station and be of all tho use I could in carrying out this new enterprise.” The first night of the trek they • slept under the shadow of Pcncarrow Head, and next morning partook of a breakfast of salt pork and damper seasoned with sea sand and ashes. , , ■ In the Wairarapa they suffered from a great shortage of provisions. For a long time they lived on wild duck and potatoes without salt. Their hut was Hooded, so that they had to build an island in the centre for cooking purposes and moor their canoes to the island, and at night slept in these while the rain leaked through the roof. Weld writes: “In those days I thought nothing of walking forty miles a day, carrying a load on my shoulders consisting of a blanket and provisions. Such was my apprenticeship to bush life in the Wairarapa.” Weld absorbed much knowledge of the ways of the Maori and tho lay ot tho country. When the Maori troubles arose this' knowledge made him of great value as a guide, and in the liutt Valley campaign ho accompanied the Expeditionary Force to Porirua. This knowledge also gave point to his selfreliant policy when ho was called upon to guide the destinies, of tho young colony.

ness. The Acting Governor—who was tho mouthpiece of Gibbon Wakefield and others— -refused to grant this, and confusion resulted, and a most unsatisfactory session was brought to a_ close. The new Governor dissolved Parliament. and it was not till Ike new Assembly met on April 15, 1800, that real government by Parliament began for New Zealand. , . Weld paid a couple of visits to England, eventually returning in 1800. do inund New Zealand passing through a. critical period. The Constitution, like moss now machines, was not working smoothly. The provincial governments were antagonising the central authority by claiming great powers hi financial and other matters, The Go/eminent was wasting'much valuable tune fighting for supremacy. Tho smouldering fires of the Native question were just about to burst into flame. Tho dissolution of Parliament in 18b0 allowed Weld to be returned once more for Wairau. In tho Stafford, Ministry he was made Minister for Native Affairs. He expressed his .views about dealing with the Maoris in the following terms:—“The rule for managing tho Natives resolves itself into a simple axiom. At all risks be just, and at all risks be firm. Justice requires wisdom, firmness requires external support; much therefore depends on xhe support of the. Homo authorities, much on the assistance afforded by the House.” _ . Space will not allow me to describe how Weld applied his principles to .the Maori problem. , He was always in favour of conciliation, but opposed what he described as “pap feeding.” Ho took his full share of the work in 'ISO? and 1863, but refused to be a candidate for office. Ho had made his homo at Brackenfield, near Amberloy, in North Canterbury, where amongst bis flocks and herds lie. lived a life of. almost ideal happiness.

WELD AS PREMp When Parliament' met fn 18(54 the outlook was black. After an acrimonious dispute with Governor Grey the Fox Ministry -resigned; The Governor and General Cameron had a war; of their own. Tho financial affairs ,of the colour were in a parlous: condition. : A record of these may be found in the ‘Chronicles,of the Kingdom.’ The South Island was making a move! to. separate from tho North island, on account of tho heavy taxation occasioned by a war which seemed to have no ending. ■ ' It was at tliis crisis that Weld was called to lead the country. His record of tho incident is:—“The Governor, sent-for me and asked me to undertake tho formation of a Ministry to assist him in saving the colony under overwhelming difficulties. My health was •not strong, and I had other private and personal reasons which’at any less urgent crisis would have led mo to decline, but I felt it to bo my duty to go to work, so 1 consented.” As a condition of taking office Weld gained the Governor’s consent to recognise that double government by Governor and Minister bad evil results; that the withdrawal of all troops should.take place, and that colonial forces be used instead; also that the land seized from the rebels bo sufficient to fulfil the country’s engagements to tho military settlers. Weld also proposed to-change the seat of government from Auckland to Wellington, and that should there bo any difference of opinion with the Governor Weld would hand in. his J resignation on condition that the Assent bly was called together and advisers summoned. This effectually put the Governor in his proper position, and, strangest of all, the Governor immediately agreed. Tims if came about that Weld, who held tho reins of office for but a brief period, is known to history as the apostle of self-reliance. ..He dispensed with tho aid of British troops, which, while costing the British ratepayers about £2,500,000 per annum, was embittering the relations between the Mother Country and the colony. Weld believed in using small bodies of men trained to bush' fighting and making roads, and iu removing grievances that might exist. The Governor, himself in charge of a body of men, conclusively proved the truth of Weld’s contention that “men accustomed to the bush, confident in their own superiority in bush fighting over the Maoris, carrying their own provisions, and able to hut themselves quickly and comfortably—such men, properly led and moving in small bodies', would be invincible.” _ Petty jealousies, parochial views, the curse 'of early New Zealand, brought about the downfall of Weld’s Ministry. Though saved by the casting vote of tho Speaker, ho declined to remain in office. Under pressure of anxiety and hard, work he was too ill to take' his place in the House. Ho records the position in'his notebook Resigned, as the House would not afford us that cordial and full support which was necessary to carry out our policy of self-reliance, to provide for tho proper, maintenance of the financial credit of tho colony,, and-to complete the pacification of tho North Island.” The Christchurch .-‘Press ’ declared of Weld: “Ho has done wonders, and ho has finally accomplished two measures which tho greater part of the colony has been anxiously desiring—the abolition of the system of double government and tho removal of the capital tb a more accessible situation. He has recovered ,the finances from a state of chaotic confusion, and carried on public business with a vigour and success long absent from our political affairs.” Weld struggled to the House arid delivered his last speech by calling upon Mr Stafford to show his colours before he went to tho poll. He said: “Let us go to the country on a distinct ques--lion of policy. If you can save £240,000 to the colony, I will support you. But 1 say such economy is a delusion. You can only economise now at tho cost of greater expense hereafter.” All too soon Weld’s political career, came to an end. His stato of health would not stand the strain, and it was many mouths before ho could resume his ordinarv life. He had landed iu New Zealand a youth of twenty years, and lie left it at the ago of forty-four, a man of mature judgment and experience. Ho had seen the colony weather many a storm, and it was due to him that New Zealand adopted tho honourable and self-sacrificing policy which ultimately led to success in both domestic and national politics. In after days he filled for extended periods the position of Governor of West Australia, Tasmania, and the Straits Settlement.