The Wellington Independent Friday, September 7, 1890. OUR MEMBERS >AND THE WAR.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1452, 7 September 1860, Page 2

The Wellington Independent Friday, September 7, 1890. OUR MEMBERS >AND THE WAR.

We ask the attentive penpal of our readers to the speech of Dr. Featherston, reprinted from the Southern Gross, in our to-day's issue. So much has been incorrectly reported lately of what cur representatives are saying at Auckland, that it becomes all the more important that we should put before the public what they really have said, as copiously as our limited space will permit. The calm, argumentative speech of his Honor is an instalment of several excellent speeches delivered on subsequent debates, we hope to be able to republish in our next.

The object of Dr. Feathers ton's speech was, as he himself states, to shew cause why a Committee of enquiry into the Governor's conduct should be appointed. No one can rise from the perusal of the Doctor's speech, without admitting that he has advanced reasons sufficient to prove that, whatever may be said in favor of the validity of the Governor's proceedings, very much may also be said to the contrary. And although it may be quite true that Kingi's title is merged in rebellion, yet, still, it ought to be known whether the Governor, in attempting to take by force of arms that which Teira may have had no right to sell, has driven Kingi into that rebellion. That this is a legitimate subject of enquiry none can doubt. If the relative position of the Governor and Colonel Gold — or the reason why the latter did not support Major Nelson at Waitara, are subjects for enquiry, surely the commencement of a war which threatens tho whole island is infinitely more so.

We postpone further comment to make way for the news received from Taranaki by the Fawn, only referring those who accuse our members of trying to bring about a dishonourable peace, to the following extract from one of Mr. Fox's speeches sis reported in the " New Zealander:" —

" Mr. Bell had expressed his astonishment how any one who thought the ivar unjust at (he commencement could vote for Us continuance. Me (Mr. JFox) saiv no inconsistency. He disapproved of the grounds on which the Governor had plunged the Oniony into war, but the war was a fact, and it was now virtually a war of I self-defence ; we had, no prospect of safety hut in its prosecution till King should lay

down his arms. * * He felt hound to support His Excellency in -maintaining British authority against King -while in arms ; but that in no way compelled him to approve of the Crovernofs conduct in provoking a war, or laid him open to a charge of inconsistency for supporting him in it now that it tvcis commenced?''