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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 74

Conclusion

page 30

Conclusion.

I have now reviewed the case at sufficient length, and have, I trust, shown conclusively that not only is my contention right—that Block XI. is the property of the Muaupoko tribe, and was never intended to be given to Major Kemp and Warena Hunia, for their own exclusive use and benefit—that in fact they were intended to be made trustees and not absolute owners,—but also that the whole of my professional dealings with the matter have been in the interests of the tribe, with the view of eliciting the truth and recovering the tribal estate. If the result is my complete vindication—as I confidently submit it must be—then it only remains for the Minister of Lands to make the "humblest of all apologies," according to his promise to the House. For I boldly affirm that, so far as I am concerned, from first to last, there has not been one jot or tittle of evidence showing wrongdoing on my part, or anything in the nature of fraud, either actual or technical. I will do the three gentlemen who are opposed to me the justice of saying that, throughout these lengthy proceedings, they have never affronted me by the slightest suggestion of anything of the kind, and that, so far as I am concerned, nothing could be fairer than their manner of examining and cross-examining the witnesses.

It may of course be said that the report of this Commission relates only to my dealings with the Horowhenua Block. But I had nothing to do with framing the Commission or determining its scope. It will be remembered that in my address at the Bar of the House of Representatives (Hansard, p. 915) I said:—

I am prepared to challenge the closest scrutiny into every transaction I have been concerned in during the fifteen or sixteen years I was in practice. I am not conscious of ever having wronged a Native or European in connection with Native lands. 1 know it is impossible for any man, nay, even for an archangel from heaven, to be mixed up in Native affairs for any length of time and to escape without being the subject of suspicion. But my conscience is perfectly clear on this point: I am not conscious of having done a single thing of which I, as a gentleman, should be ashamed, or for which as a professional man I should be censured. I invite the closest serutiny.

And again (p. 982):—

I would conclude by saying that, although I have been actively engaged in Native affairs, officially and professionally, for a period of some thirty years or more, and have probably put through more Native titles than any other solicitor in New Zealand, I defy any man to put his finger down upon one single transaction of a questionable kind in which I have ever been concerned. My conscience is absolutely clear of ever having done anything in connection with Native affairs that this House could not agree with, and which I should not be able to justify.

As I have already stated, my professional transactions with the Maoris, during the period I was in practice, were of a very extensive kind; so much so, that the late Mr. Justice Gillies on one occasion refered to me, from the Bench, as " the Solicitor-General for the Maori race."

page 31

I stated before the House that I challenged the strictest enquiry into the whole of my past record. When in the witness-box before the Commission, I wanted to give the names of the ten other blocks mentioned by the Minister of Lands—apparently to my disadvantage—and to tender myself for cross-examination thereon by the agent for the Crown, but you ruled, Sir, that this was outside the scope of your Commission and would not permit me to do it. I am willing, however, to be judged by my Horowhenua dealings as a sample of the whole. And, although appearing before a tribunal of the Minister's own creation, I am content to stand or fall by the evidence relating to myself which has been brought forward in the present case.

It only remains, Sir, for me to thank the Commissioners for the patience with which they have listened to a necessarily lengthy speech.