PUBLIC MEETING AT NELSON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 162, 18 November 1868, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING AT NELSON.

[bt inteb-pbovincial telegraph.] Nelson*, Not. 17, 3.30 p.m. An enthusiastic meeting, sympathising with the suffering colonists of the North Island, was held last night. The Superintendent was chairman, and seven hundred persona were present. The first resolution, proposed by the Bisho.p of Nelson, and seconded by Mr Elliot, expressed sympathy. The second resolution, proposed by Mr Barnicoat, and seconded by Eather Garin, was to the effect that the Superintendent be requested to take means to extend timely aid to the wounded, sick, and destitute persons from tbe North Island, if necessary. The third resolution proposed by Dr Irvine, and seconded by Mr J. Burnett, was as follows : — " Tbat while not expressing an opinion as to the manner in which thewar has heretofore been conducted, this meeting, consisting of persons of all political parties, testifies to the earnest and unanimous desire of the people of Nelson to afford moral and material support to the Government in the present emergency, in any energetic and efficient measures they may adopt for punishing and repressing rebellion and outrage." The resolutions were all passed unanimously. /^The Colonist, this morning, advocates the suspension of the Constitution in the North Island, and placing it under the direct rule of a Commissioner appointed by the Queen until the Native disturbance is quelled. The article declares the acceptance of Native responsibility to be a mistake, and adds : " Tbe Maoris, who formerly venerated the Governor as the real representative of 'tho Queen, have discovered that, as things now are, he is only a plastic instrument in the hands of the Ministry, who are again a changeable body resting on the will of Parliament. Hence all but the shadow of authority has vanished in the eyes of the Maori, and with it has vanished also all bu_ the shadow of their former respect/arid that respect will not reappear until feudal chieftaincy is again assumed "on behalf of Her Majesty with regard to the Maoris of the North Island?'?