WAKEFIELD THE MAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 21 September 1929, Page 1 (Supplement)

WAKEFIELD THE MAN.

PERSONALITY AND PURPOSE.

IIY MAT ANO A

There are many good reasons c/iy a very warm welcome should greet, just now, M iss lima O'Connor's book, "Edward Gibbon Wakefield: (ho Man Himself." New Zeabiul is taking a quickened interest in tho story of its early days, and amid this salutary experience is growing a regret that the country for whoso colonisat ou he did so much has hitherto bestirred itself so little to give him local memorial. A few days ago, on tho floor of our House of Representatives, his name had mention in circumstances indicatlvo of this iegret: his resting place in Sydney Street, Wellington, inadequately marked for so great a man, was tho subject of a request. that it should have 111010 signal honour, and assurance was forthcoming that this would bo given. Until lately, however, his name was wrapped 111 haze for many, if not most New Zealanders, and tlie neglect of Ins worth and work has been due to lack of knowledge rather than to lack of appreciation Well is it that the haio is being dispelled, aud better still that this is being done by somo capable Now Zealanders themselves. Dr. Clarnett's biographical account lias been long out of print, and has never been widely read in this country; but Dr. Harrop's " Tho Amazing Career of Edward Gibbon Wakefield," and Miss O'Connor's book, appearing close 011 its heels, are likely to make this Dominion aware of the debt it owes to a renowned foundei of colonies and reformer of England's colonial system. Miss O'Connor's book amply justifies its sub-title. She has not so suro a touch as Dr Harrop in somo parts of tho background of her portrait". Her method of treatment, as bccomc3 one in whom Wakefield blood —she is a great-granddaughter of tho man she depicts—is not so calmly descriptive as Dr. llarrop's That excels in quiet poise and firm handling of constitutional and political facts as they needs must bo set forth: this, on the other hand, by very virtue of tho personal loyalty that pulses in tho doer of a task ardently essayed, is more readable, less thrifty of .fervent comment, and altogether excellent in its eagerness to do rcquisito justice to a personality that, for sheer interest, surpasses almost any other to bo named among tho builders of tho British Empire. Together, they fill satisfvingly a gap 111 the annals of our own land and some others. The Realm of Motive.

Not that Miss O'Connor's book is deficient in wealth of recital of tho things that compose the story of colonfal development. To think of these as merely the setting of Wakefield's life 'S to misunderstand him, and Miss O Connor falls I into no such error. It is impossible to think of him without them. Ho lived for un absorbing purpose, if ever a man did, and even to try to tear him apart from the ovents that changed Britain fiom 41 splendid isolation" to ministry and mastery of a world-wide domain and influence" would do devastating violence to his memory. 110 is inseparable from them. Tliey are bone of his bono and flesh ol his Hcsh. So in this, as in the other accounts of his ' amazing career," they get full room and importance.' But this book both vafses and answers, without obvious intent, tho question as to what is a good biography, and makes a notable contribution to that growing collection of human documents which aio lead, not for their catalogue of facts so much as their presentation of living souls—more elusive than stark happenings in statecraft but so much nioro vital in tho reulm of motive that governs all that ever man has girded himself to accomplish. . Wakefield's was a " varied reputation. There were years, many patient years, during which it was needful for him to be behind the scones. By bitter experience—and Miss O'Connor has done cood service by handling with aplomb the Ellen Turner episode, about which some \er\ dubious things liavo been too lightly said—he learned that onslaughts on convention are not readily condoned. Indiscretion taught discretion to him as to many more, and ho became content to think and toil for his colonising programme without his name appearing on the bill that caught the public eye. Yet at length he was acknowledged in high places for his genius of practical statesmanship. Even tho Iron Duke. most implacable and unimaginative of Prime Ministers, yielded (o tho forco of tills genius, arid" our capital city lias its name accordingly. How it all came about South Australia's bravo planting tho guiding of Canada's enterprise, and tho toilsome, venturesome achievement of the New Zealand Company —is so well worth knowing that this book merits an abiding place. Inspiring Others.

As in the instanco of South Australia, so in New Zoaland, Wakefield wrought from far-away London his work for British expansion; and it was not until the work had been done that he came himself hither across the seas sailed by tho pioneers ho had induced to go abroad. His last yean, spent in tins land, were chequered by personal disappointment. 'J'liev had their thrill of struggle against opposition, struggle fraught with bittciness oft-times that a man of lesser parts would neither liavo encountered nor suffered, but there was for him tho zest of tho " ono fight more " and the sustaining impulse of a cause deeply dear. 110 was not always right—no man is—but as long as health endured ho continued to inspiro others with ideas and purposes essentia to the firm planting of British life beyond Britain. . When all is reckoned, it is this impact of his clear and resolute purpose that counts for most. 'I he tractates ho published, the plans he fashioned, (ho driving-force he imparted, even the oaring risks ho took, all had their compelling effect on others. In these days, now that tho tumult and the shouting have died down to whispering echoes, wo can gauge him better than did either those who wrought with him or those who fought against him, and know that what lie bore in pursuit of his steady purpose deserves recompense in ungrudged honour. Epilogue.

Yet this recompense has been too tardy in payment. Here, of all places in the world, bis name should long ago have been given gleaming distinction. Instead, men of poorer gifts and less endurance have displaced him in general regard. What now is being retold so appealing!}' in Miss O'Connor's " liibour of love" and as convincingly by others with no claim of lineage upon their service should lead us to put this right. In the Christchnrch Museum is a treasured portrait in oils; here and there arc town and street bearing his family namo: in a secluded spot, as Miss O'Connor tells, are " four plain flat marble slabs lying together, two by two. on ono a long weatherworn crack through which moss is beginning to push its way, a few fallen leaves, and a simnle brief inscription, the metal lettering halfobscured by mingled rain and dust—- ' Edward Gibbon Wakefield; died, May 16, 1C62; aged 66 years.'" Hut there is " no tablet of honour, no sign of remembrance." So this book ends —■

Oh people of New Zealand, even if you do not care enough for the founder of your country to erect a worthy tribute to his memory, at, least remember him a, little, honour him a. little, love him a littlo for the pake of the lifetime of labour he apent in your service and the slory of the heritage lie won fox' you!