WAKEFIELD MEMORIAL

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 871, 18 July 1910, Page 8

WAKEFIELD MEMORIAL

INTERESTING LETTERS. SIR F. YOUNG ON WAKEFIELD'S CLAIMS. Apropos of the agitation for the erection of a monument to the memory of Edward Gibbon Wakofield, Mr. Malcolm Ross has received through Mr. Arthur A. Pearson, C.M.G., late of the Colonial Office, two interesting letters bearing on tho subject. One is from Sir Frederick Young, and tho other from Mrs. Freeman (Edward Gibbon Wakefield's niece). Mr. Pearson, duriug his recent visit to New Zealand, in company with Sir Charles Lucas (of tho Oolonial Office), took a keen interest in the Wakefield memorial project, and after his return* to England he forwarded to Sir Frederick Young a copj of the New Zealand Hansard of last year, containing the debate on tho subject. Sir Frederick writes:—"l have read, as you may suppose, with the greatest interest the debate on Mr. Sinclair's motion in the Legislative Council foi a memorial to that distinguished man with whom I was personally associated from the year 1839 to 1852. As you know,' I am so earnestly doing all I can to promote a fitting memorial to him that I am consequently much pleased to, notice that another such important step has been taken in the direction of the" realisation of my wishes on the. subject. Although my desire is. decidedly that a statue of him should bo erected at Wellingtou, I should like to see also—if sufficient funds are available—any literary or other such memorial associated with E. G. Wakefield's name. He really deserves both forms to the perpetuation of his memory. Ono thing much vexes me on reading the report of the debate in the New Zealand Parliament. Mr. M'Gowan actually denies that Wakefield was the founder -of New Zealand. .This is rather too much for me to stand without : protest, inasmuch as 1 was so closely identified . with the foundation of the colony, and was actually a holder of fifty shares in the 'New Zealand Company, in which my father at Wakefield's request was one of-the'directors, and also at his request tho first Lord Durham was Governor. I ought to know something about it! Tho company was formed by Wakefield as tho commercial vehicle to find the capital for carrying out his* scheme for colonising New Zealand. No one living is therefore in'.so good a position to know the real facts of tho case. If you havo an opportunity of correcting Mr. M'Gowan through anyone resident in Now Zealand it would be. interesting to do so in the cause of truth and history." Mrs. Freeman's letter, reads, as follows :—. "1 am very much obliged to you lor sending me the extract; without you 1 should not know these, to me, most interesting details. AJI I have seen is a short notice in a Now Zealand paper. I am very much pleased with the way in which Mr. Sinclair proposed tho memorial; his languago is very happy; and I only wish my dear friend Dr. Garnott could know how his words havo boon quoted by Mr. Sinclair. He died feeling that bis 'Life of Edward Gibbon Wakefield' ■ had not accomplished as much' as he had hoped to do in enlightening the world; a speech like Mr. Sinclair's' would- show him that ho had indeed done much, and that if it rested with Mr. Sinclair I should think Dr. Garnctt's own words for a monument might be inscribed, upon it. As to Mr. M'Gowau's remarks, I should like to ask him if Wakofield is not the' founder what other single riamo can he bring forward? Every great work must have many to help in its accomplishment; many who' deservo to he honoured; but I should think that any impartial person who studied the life of Gibbon Wakefield must seo that he was plainly the founder of New Zealand. Not only was tho scheme his, but the choice of the suitable men to ca-rr.v it out, and then the constant inspiring of thoso men : afterwards, the patient struggle to mako them do .what ho thought best for colonisation. I see Mr. Reeves says 'What about Godley?' I wonder'if he knows how Gibbon Wakefield met Godley at a Malvorn hydropathic, - persuaded him to (partly for his health),, and then guided him afterwards? . If. Mr. Reeves..,were to refer to the letters of Gibbon Wakefield, published by his son Jerningham and called 'Founders of Canterbury,' that book alono shows that Godley would* never have been in Now Zealand at all without Wakefield. ''Personally -Ldb not mind what form tho memorial takes; I do mind what' is put upon it,'the words 'Founder of New Zealand' should certainly be there, perhaps that alone'would be best, though Lord Lyttelton's words, quoted by Dr. Garnett, are very fine. Dr. James Hight has juat sent me 'The Maoris of New Zealand,' by Cowan. His own life of Edward Gibbon is nothing like ready yet, though several books of the series 'Makers 'of Australasia' arc published. I shall write to him remarking on what Mr. M'Gowan and others have said, and urge him to convince all these unbelievers that Edward Gibbon was the founder of New Zealand. I am very glad that you have let Sir Frederick see this extract. I expect he would thoroughly approve of his testimony being sent to anvone in New Zealand. From early boyhood to old age Sir Frederick Young has never wavered in his belief in „ the great geriius of E. G. W.. I return the- extract; if you can let me have it back to keop I shall be much pleased. I should like Mr. Sinclair, Dr. Findlay, and tho other gentlemen who wish for a memorial to my uncle to know what ■pleasure it has given me, his devoted nicee, to read their appreciation of 'his services. Please do all you can, as I' am sure yon have been doing, to further tho project."