MR M'MINN ON THE NO CONFIDENCE VOTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1111, 7 August 1879, Page 2

MR M'MINN ON THE NO CONFIDENCE VOTE.

We take the following speech of the Member for Waipa, from the advanced Bbeets of ' Hansard,' furnished us by the Government Printer :—" Mr MoMinn.—l do not intend to say very much, but I must, on behalf of my constituents in the Waikato, correct a statement made by the honorable member for Auckland City East. That honorable member referred to two prominent gentlemeu as taking a leading part in intriguing with the Maoris, and said it was owing to those intrigues that the negotiations with the King party were to a great extent obstructed. I have now to say that that statement is entirely without foundation. With regard to Major Jackson, who was referred to, and was at one time a member of this House, 1 may say that he has been, throughout the whole of his life, a most excellent settler, that he has done a great deal for the good of the country in many ways, and that it is most ungenerous and uncalled for to make such a charge against him. I know, of my own knowledge, that the Government are under great obligations to him in regard to the purchase, some years ago, of what is known as the Horohoro Block. When Major Jackson was going to take possession of that land, to plough and cultivate it, and, by employing a number of labourers, confer a great benefit on the country, •it was feaied that if he did sd there would be sceues like those which have recently taken place on the West Coast, and he was requested by the Government lo waive - for some time the right to occupy the land. Major Jackson at once acceeded to that request, aud, as far as I am aware, ho has not taken possession of it to this day. Thei-e could be no question whatever as to the title, because the land had passed through the hands of two or three persous since it had been parted with by the original owner ; and yet, to save the peace of the country, lie refrained from occupying the land. It is also stated on very good authority, that Major Jackson and Major Mair were the men who induced Rewi to make the concessions he had done. Whether it was so or not I cannot saj r , but I believe those gentlemen assistel in every way to bring about peaceful negotiations. I think it is right I should make these statements, because these gentlemen are constituents in my district. When the honorable rnera- | ber for Auckland City East made such charges as he did, he should have been ready to substantiate them. He did not mention names, but it is well known that he alluded lo these two gentlemen. I should like to say a word or two about the Taranaki natives, and I think f can do so with some authority, as I took my part in , the wars in that and the Waikato | district. 1 must say that when I read that- telegram which we have heard so much about I had but one feeling —that of burning indignation, that men who were in the position in which the Taranaki settlers were placed, not knowing the moment they might have to risk tlieir Jives in defence of their hearths and homes, should be treated in such a manner. It was cold-blooded in the extreme. I came into this House last year pledged to support this Government \ and I did earnestly support them, believing that they were a good Government, that their measures were broad and liberal, and that in assisting them I should be working for the good of the country generally. I do not know that I should be doing so in still supporting them, aud consequently I never felt in a more awkward position than Ido now as to the vote I should give. I cannot say they have my confidence ; still, I was returned lo support them, and, as I cannot honestly do so, the only course I can take is not to vote at all,