HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 12, 19 September 1861, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Ekiday, August 23. VOTE OF THANKS TO THE MILIXAEY. Mr. Colenso moved the notice standing in his name on the order paper:—“That a vote of thanks be given by this house to the military who were engaged at the late war at Taranaki.” He confcssd that he rose with an unusual amount of diffidence to move this resolution, but he hoped he would have the earnest and considerateattention of the house for a very short time. This diffidence arose from a kind of half belief he entertained, that a vote of this nature should come from the ministerial bench—(hear, hear) or, if not, from some older member of the house - . (Hear, hear.) But, seeing that tliej had come to the fag-end of the session, and that it had been agreed on both sides that no important business should be introduced at present; and, seeing also that what was everybody’s business was nobody’s business, he had taken upon himself the responsibility of moving this vote. But his diffidence arose solely from the great difficulties surrounding the subject, from the extreme views held both in the house and outside. He did not bring it forward to throw a golden apple of discord on the floor of the house (a laugh); nor, as some hon. gentleman had said that morning, to cast a bomb-shell among them. (Cries of “ oh, oh.”) He had purposely refrained from the introduction of any words into his notice of motion that could offend either extreme of the house; and had been content to leave it as simple as possible. The ancients had told them of the difficulty of steering a barque between Scylla and Charybdis : he would not go so far as that for an illustration, but would take the islands of Motatnpu and Rangitoto, which might he seen from the windows of the house. At high water there was a safe passage between those islands. Motatapu, as its name signified, was the tapu islands : he would not touch there, as he took it to represent the beginning of the war, which should not be alluded tonow. Neither would lie venture on Rangitoto, with its volcanic soil, which would represent to him the conduct of one or two gentlemen, no longer in the colony, who had had the conduct of the war. He wished his shallop to pass safely through between those tabooed subjects; on the flood-tide of generous and united sympathy. He had never had any doubt as to the justice and policy of the war ; but when he lowered his flag half-mast high, ho ought to bo mot by a like chivalrous sentiment by those who were opposed to the war. Two exceptions had been taken to the resolution—one was to the word “ military ;” the other, to the words “ late war.” By “ military,” he meant all who were engaged at the war, without reference to the branch of the service they belonged; for he looked upon the gallant naval brigade, and the Taranaki settlers who were in action during the campaign, to he as truly a part of the military engaged as if they had belonged to the regular land forces of her Majesty. Then as to the objection to the words late war, “ all lie had to say was, that if the war had been well ended, he was sure no hon. member could lay his hand on his breast and say he would not pass a unanimous vote of thanks to the military engaged ; but if, unhappily (which might God forbid), these men wore again called upon to take the field, there was great necessity to strengthen their hands and encourage them in the impending struggle. He would not mention the names of the commanders during the war ; but it should not be forgotten that the officer who first commanded at Taranaki had been promoted since his return home, and that the General who succeeded him had been enthusiastically received in Melbourne on his return to Victoria. Seeing that these gentlemen had been rewarded, it became the more imperative cn them to thank those men who had borne the burnt of the war ; who had stood up, day after day, with heroic fortitude, unsurpassed by anything they read of in ancient lore, to be shot down by an enemy against whom they were not led. It was the details of this daily devotion to duty that filled him (Mr. Colenso) with feelings of admiration for the British soldier, and led him to move thus vote of thanks. They should recollect that the royal artilleiy, 12th, 40tli, and 65th regiments engaged at the beginning of the struggle, and the 11th and 57th regiments who were present at its close, could not add anything by this New Zealand war to the illustrious names which were already inscribed upon their banners. There was not the same incitement to deeds of heroic daring on the part of our soldiers in New Zealand, as if they were fighting against the enemies of their country. Glory was not the sole object of the soldier hero ; it was not lus chief desire to seek The bubble reputation Even in the cannon's mouth. He was fighting to make one for the future those who had been friends before. The soldier was a peacemaker here : and should be thanked for the great services he rendered with such patient endurance. The hon. gentleman then referred to the chief incidents in the campaign at Taranaki, and vindicated the caution of the generals by citing the rashness of Pompey who, yielding to the solicitations of his chiefs, abandoned his position of strength, and risked a battle with Cirsar, on the plains of Pharsalia, which resulted in total defeat and the loss of Pompey’s life. He also alluded to thi invasion of Britain by Cossar, and dew an historical parallel between the devotion of Roman legions to their eagles, and the impetuous valour of British troops, who followed their flags wherever they were carried. They were now confronting a warlike nation ; and lie did not wish to dp anything by means of which the military spirit of the English might be weakened. He did not speak of war as a virtue, or as a benefit or actual good among mankind, but as a necessary evil and, therefore, seeing that their troops had behaved so well in the late war, he hoped the house would pass thorn an unanimous vote of

thanks. A dead silence for some moments followed when the hon. member resumed his seat, which was broken at last by the Speaker calling on Mr. 0. W. Richmond to move the second notice on the paper. Mr. Fox then said—Sir, I cannot allow the motion to pass without one word of comment, because it would naturally be expected by the house, that if an occasion had arisen on which it was desirable that the thanks of the house should be tendered to the military engaged at Taranaki, that motion should be made by some member of the governicut. (Hear, hear.) That would be the proper and becoming course to adopt in bringing such a motion before the house ; and I regret the hon. member, before ho brought forward his motion, had not consulted some member of the goverment, for it was not until I came down to the house to-day, and saw the notice on the paper, that I was aware of his intention of moving it. (Hear.) I cannot help thinking that the motion of the hon. member is unfortunate, both as regards the manner, and as regards the time on which he lias brought it before us. (Hear.) It is unfortunate, not merely because suclua motion should not be brought forward by any private member, unless the goverment of the day had announced their intention of not proposing a similar resolution (which has not been done) ; but it is also unfortunate, because it is entirely premature that a substantive motion should be made, while the war may be said to be existing. (Hear,hear.) There are various reasons, which will suggest themselves to hon. gentleman who were here last session, why it is undesirable to bring such a motion forward. (Hear.) But, in addition to that, if the lion, member (Mr. Colenso) had been in the house from the opening of the present session, ho would have known that the house had already unanimously tendered their thanks to the military for their conduct, during the war. (Hear, hear.) In the reply to his Excellency’s speech, when opening the session, this house resolved : —“ That we gladly take this opportunity of expressing the thanks which are due to the oiheers and men of her Majesty’s army and navy, and of her colonial forces, for the zeal and intrepidity with which they have at all times performed duties of a very arduous and harassing nature.” (Hear.) That is quite as ample—nay, more ample ; it is stated in terms quite as strong nay, in terms more strong than the motion of the hon. member ; and what occasion lias since arisen for tendering the thanks of the house to the military I am at a loss to conceive, and I can only attribute this act of the hon. member for Napier to the fact that he was not present at the early part of the session, and has not given careful attention to the early proceedings of the house. The significance of the vote of thanks to the military on that occasion was this, that it originated with his excellency the Governor ; and this house adopted his excellency’s words and echoed his sentiments. (Hear.) I desire not to be understood as throwing cold water on the substance of the hon. member’s resolution. I joined in the first resolution ; and if such was again required although proposed by a private member, i would join in it heartily as any one ; but as to a vote of thanks to the military', this is not the time for it. (Hear.) And I do think the hon. gentleman (Mr. Colenso) would b e acting more discreetly-, and more in accordance with the usages of the house, if he would withdraw his motion (hear hear). The Speaker : The motion has not been seconded. If any hon. member would second the motion pro forma , it could then be withdrawn. Another pau-c ensued. The motion remained unscconded ; and the Speaker passed to the next order on the paper.