TO THE ELECTORS OF THE TOWN OF NEW PLYMOUTH

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 38, 20 March 1862, Page 6 (Supplement)

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE TOWN OF NEW PLYMOUTH

Dunedin, 20(h January, ISG2. r.iv Dn.-ui IRiKxns, —l write, as in duty bound, to inform yon at the earliest possible time that 1 propose to retire from the House ofltcpresentatives. Some of the reasons which determine me to this course are ol a purely personal character, amongst whiph the state of my health and of my private alfairs arc (he chief. Put there are other reasons connected with the state of the affairs of the Colony to which I will briefly advert.

Some of you will recollect that in 1855, when yon first elected me your representative, I expressed my opinion to be strongly in favor of tho maintenance of Imperial control over Hative affairs. I believe there is a short note in tho Taranaki Herald of what I said at tho hustings. I remember declaring that as the relations of tho two races must continually involve questions of Peace and War, and as the colony was as yet unfit to sustain a struggle with the “natives without (he aid of (he Mother Country, it followed as a matter of course (hat the Colonial Legislature must not grasp at the power of directing Hative Policy.

1 have ever since, both ns a Minister and a member oi the II ouso acted consist only with this opinion and have never claimed for the legislature, or for (ho jtcsjionsible Ministry, anything beyond a secondary position in reference to Jsativc affairs, I have done my best towards working at the problem set us by the framers of the Constitution of lbb3, always keeping in view the maintenance of an Imperial control over Iv alive alfairs. Experience has only strengthened my opinion as to the importance of tins point and it has become my fixed conviction that a Parliamentary opposition to the ISativo policy of the Governor is unfit and dangerous. I am satisfied that tbeopposition in tnc House of Tieprcscnta'ives to tlio measures of UUI eruor .Drowue was most jieriueiuus In its effect upon the mind of the Aalives, and 1 am not prepareu to take part in any similar agitation. \on will sec upon reference to (bo Addresses of the House of Iteprof eutatives during its last session hiat (he Jfcu-e, in accordance with the view tnnt Aativc Policy is a matter of Imperial concern, undertook w second the Imperial policy as ivprcsamed by Governor Browne. Wo know wba! ( iini, policy was, but. as .yet we do not understand the policy which succeeded to it. It mnv

be that it is such as we should approve, and it may be that it is quite Ike contrary. In tho former case it matters nothing so far as native affairs are concerned what coloured party is “in power,” as the phrase is. In the latter ease I believe that we shall only make bad worse by talking in the House. Whatever I might think of the Governor for the time being—however deep might be my distrust of the man—however thorough my disapproval of his measures—l deliberately say that I deem it better in the present state of the country that he should pursue his course without the accompaniment of a Parliamentary opposition in tho colony barking as it were at his heels. Other modes of remonstrance can be found if unfortunately they should be needed. Xot that I think any mode of remonstrance likely to bo effectual; but other modes might be found which would not be positively hurtful. The native question is the question of absorbing interest for Taranaki, and therefore is the only public question wliich I could feel any call of duty to take a part in. Tor tho reasons above assigned I see nothing which I can do in it as a member of the Legislature, and I therefore yield to the other pressing claims upon j my remaining strength. When you first returned me I had not as many of you know tho least wish or intention to take so prominent a part in public affairs us was forced upon me by events ; and it has always boon my desh-o to seize the first honorable opportunity of retiring from the Poditical field. Nevertheless, it is with great pain that I see pur connection dissolved. I have truly felt it to be an honor to represent you. \ our patience and your courage under privations and amidst dangers which I had not the privilege of sharing have commanded tho just admiration of your follow colonists. Your truehearted farewell to Governor Browne is proof of a constancy not often found in numerous bodies of men. There is not a constituency in New Zealand which I should desire (o represent in comparison with those of Taranaki. If I saw any fair prospect of being useful to you in fhe House I would submit to great sacrifices to keep my scat there. But Ido not flunk that my pressneo can help you, and I therefore now resign into your hands the trust which you committed fo mo.' 1 remain, my dear fellow settlers and friends, Yours faithfully, c. w. BU'inioxi).