MR. WAKEFIELD’S STATEMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4811, 23 August 1876, Page 2

MR. WAKEFIELD’S STATEMENTS.

The following letters were received yesterday by Mr. South ; “ Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 19th inst., handing me copies of resolutions passed at a public meeting held at the Princess Hotel on the evening of the 18th. These resolutions have reference to certain expressions used by the member for Geraldine in Parliament, when alluding to the reception of Sir Julius Vogel by the people of Wellington on his return from England in February last. I was not in the House when Mr. Wakefield made the observations to which exceptions have been taken, and the debate was closed by Sir George Grey replying, immediately after the member for Geraldine sat down. I had thus at the time no opportunity of answering him. Mr. Wakefield, I am sure, spoke without sufficient knowledge of the facts, otherwise he could not have used the words he did, and X gladly take the opportunity of bearing testimony to the thoroughly spontaneous nature of the demonstration referred to. X may add that no more sincere and hearty welcome was ever, in my opinion, given to a public man than was accorded to Sir Julius Vogel on that occasion.— I am, &0., Edward Pearce —Mr. George South. —Wellington, 22nd August.” “Dear Sir, —Ihavethepleasure to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 19 th inst., to hand this forenoon, also copy of the resolutions'passed at a public meeting held at the Princess Hotel last Friday evening. Xu reply, I beg to express my regret that so much importance has been attached to the expressions made use of by the hon. member for Geraldine, Mr. Edward Wakefield, and to remind you that there is nothing Parliament is more jealous about than the right of allowing perfect freedom of speech to the representatives of thepeople. I am satisfied that Mr. Wakefield regrets the hasty and uncalled-for remarks which dropped from him in the heat of debate, and if an opportunity should present itself, X shall be glad to draw his attention to the subject, so that he may be able to withdraw, or qualify, that portion of his speech which has given such general cause of complaint.—l am, &c., Geo. Hunter. —Wellington, August 21,1876.”