Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume III, Issue 719, 5 March 1866, Page 5

To the Editor of tlio Nr. v.- Zealand Hekalw. Siu.—T)nrircg my stay in ITamilton, a public meeting was held 011 the evening of the 16!h instant, convened ,fnv the pin pose of ta'iing into consideration the sfoppago of their daily ration oil the 7th March next; und feeling, as I do, a great interest on tho subject, I myself being one of tlio unfortunate? whoso name is in orders to have my rations stopped on that date, I proceeded to the place appointed for the meeting, where in front of the platform erected for tho speakers, hung suFpended-bstvfoen two poles, the " flap of distress." On tho top of tho pole? was fixed a loaf of broad and a leg of pork, being emblematic of whut Wuikato will bo when tho rations avo stopped ; for without some public works are commenced to enable men to support themselves and their wives and families, or the Goverutcent acccde at onco to our just demands, in file shape of our backpay, the day those rations are knocked of will b9 the darkest in tho annals of Now Zc Und. The Government cannot bo blind to the truth that there is over eight hundred children in Hamilton, without men and women. Tho public could boq by the last resolution moved at tho meeting, that they are in a state of semi-slarvation, yet tho men of the 4th Waikato Regiment do not rebel. They think it hard to seo their wives and children fairish amidst plenty, to feel hunger, when they know that thoy have been kept out of their legitimnto rights by Government, who was to carry out a policy, began by the Into Ministry who held r'ffieo before them. Is this what they cull keeping faith with uion, who they induced to come over from other colonies, where war is not known, to como hero and fight their battles, and after they had no money to pay us for our services, obliged us, with our wives and children, to go and settle upon our land, at ft timo when peace was not proclairaod. A gain I ask, was it right on the part of the Government to put us in possession of our land (according to their version of it) and striko us off iay at a time when they knew it was not safe for us to go on our land, without oar arms and accoutrements, " a strict garrison order was issued to this effect) The very fact of their not relieving us from " actual service " until the sth diy of December last, when the proclamation was issued is a proof that peace was not proclaimed in the Waikato. Ah I do not wish to proceed any further on the matter,- I will coucluda by tendering you the following resolutions which were passed by tho meeting. . Mrs. Coleman was unanimously called to the rbair, and opened tho meeting in a br-.of and effective address. Ist Resolution.—Proposed hy Mrs. Catley, and seconded, by Mr p. Dyes, "That this meeting, regarding tho proclamation issued by his hxcellency the Gever-or as tho only legal instrument by which the men of the Waikato Hsgiment can be relieved from lt netu"l sorvice," insistß upon it that tho twelve months' rations, referred to in the "Waikato conditions, should commence from the date on which flucli proclamation was read to the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Waikato Regiments." Carried. 2nd Resolution.—Proposed by Mrs. Carlisle, ana seconded by Mrs. lieop, "That this meeting sympathises with the efforts which are now being made by tho officers and men of tho Waikato Regiment off pay, in procuring for themselves tlieirbackptty»feeliug assured that their demand is reasonable and just. Carried. „ , , 3rd Resolution—Proposed hy Mrs. Alexander, ana seconded by Mrs. Boffey, " That this meeting news with feelings of alarm, the anticipated stoppage of the daily rations to tho men of tho various n gimenta mentioned, who were said to ho put in possession of their land on the 7th March l.st." _ _ . 4th Resolution — Proposed by Mrs. Carlisle (m a verv lengthened addre s), and seconded by Mrs. Whittingdon, " That this meeting, composed of the wives and children of the 4th Waikato llegimeiit off pay are in a state of femi-starvation and nearly naked, and wlio have been induced, by false protegees, to come to this colony, appeal to the ladies of the Province of Auckland for their support, knowing that ouch appeal will elicit from them their sympathy. Assuring all parties concerned that unless some assistance bo offered, we shall bo compelled to appeal to the Australian Colonies for ship accommodation to aid us in roturnmg to our homes which wo so foolishly left." Carried unanimously. A vote of Uianks was given to Mrs. Coleman for presiding on the occasion. Thrco cheers were given by all present for Mrs. Carlisle and the other female members of the committee. , In conclusion, I must say that the meeting was conducted by all present in a highly satisfactory manner. The different speakers that addressed the meeting are a credit to the settlers of the 4th Waikato Regiment, and it is a good thing to see the unity that is now existing in the whole of the Waikato Begiments. The good feeling a.nd the hearty cooperation of the different committees cannot fail toBecure for them tho assistance of tho public of AuckTrutting that you will insert this in your valuable paper, - . I remain, &c., Eobebx Beaton. Camp Alexandra, Feb. 19.