PUBLIC MEETING.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 11, 25 May 1872, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

A public meeting was held in Ngaruawaliia yesterday afternoon for the purpose of considering the address to the Hon. D. Maclean. It was moved and seconded that the following address be presented :— To the Hon. Donald Maclean, C.M.S., Native and Defence Minister of jS'eio Zealand. The inhabitants of Ngaruawahia and surrounding districts welcome you to the Waikato, and congratulate you oa the success which lius attended your native policy, inasmuch as you have succeeded in maintaining peace for the last two years. 'iho making of roads in the interior, instituted by you, has rendered any future outbreak, if unfortunately one should take place, comparatively harmless. It is earnestly to be desired that you will be successful in inducing the Maori king to submit to the authority of the Government, his refusal to do so being the one great hindrance to the settlement and prosperity of the Waikato. To your wise diieretiou is owing the fact that we have not become involved in active hostilities with the King and his followers. Nevertheless, as we have had one of our settlers foully murdered, we must look "to you, as soon as practicable, to have the guilty parties dealt with, according to law. There are several matters which will be brought under your notice during your stay in this district, to which you will doubtless give your earnest attention. The inhabitants wish you every success in your official capacity as Defence Minister, and in your private one as a fellow-settler. Mr. Byron said he had been asked to attend the meeting, otherwise he should not have done so. He could not agree with the address ; he was unable to feel confidence in the policy of the Defence Minister, and the address implied that the settlers in the Waikato had a feeling of security, where no such feeling existed. Mr. Todd's murder.was fresh in their memory. The Government commenced the construction of a road from Raglan to Waipa; on the King remonstrating, they discontinued the work. When a government say they will do a thing they should do it. If it was meant that the Militia and Armed Constabulary were efficient to protect the settlers, he must state that he did not think so, although he did not wi»h to cast any slur on either body. He could not see any l'eason for taking upon ourselves to present a complimentary address to Mr. Maclean—he being a member of a Ministry whose policy was condemned, by all in the district, with the exseption of the Government officials. He considered that it would be inconsistent to present a congratulatory address to-night, and condemn the policy of the Defence Minister in giving the land in the neighbourhood of Ngaruawania to the natives, as he had expressed his intention of doing, and for himself he was not sanguine enough to suppose that he would alter his Sugar and Flour " policy. Mr. Bell thought that the remarks of the gentleman who had just sat down were not applicable to the case ; he approved of the policy. He. was glad that the Militia and Armed Constabulary were not efficient. The Armed Constabulary, fortunately for the settlers, were engaged in making roads, not in fighting. He was not sufficiently versed in the particulars of the road from Raglan to Waipa to express an opinion upon it ; he knew, however, thut the Government were constructing roa Is in all directions, and that was the policy required. They did not want to fight, biu to get (.lie country settled, and he was of opinion that Mr. Maclean was doing his best to attain that end. Mr. Hunt said he approved of the Native policy of Mr. Maclean, and wished to ask Mr. Byron whether he would have the country involved in war for the sake of executing two murderers. The effect would be that the settlers would have to turn out as militiamen and the progress of the country would be retarded in the meauvvliile. Mr. Holloway said that enough had been seen of the policy of crushing the natives. The Stafford Ministry, when in office, attempted this mode of getting over our difficulties, and, as everybody must be aware, failed lamentably in the attempt. The policy of Mr. Maclean might not be dignified, but there was in its favour that it was politic. Every mile of road made into the interior of the country was a greater victory than any battle gained by General Cameron or any general who had ever served in New Zealand. Mr. Byron said he had no desire to involve the country in war for such a cause. The Mini*try should, however, have been prepared to protect Mr. Todd or they should not have sent him there. The motion that the address be presented was then put by the Chairman and carried. Messrs. Innes, Bell, Hume, Bradley and Hunt, being appointed a deputation to present it.