the Militia, or a large portion of them, in that district. I hope to be in Auckland latter end of next week, and will then be able to speak to you more at length on such subjects as these. I remain Yours obediently (Signed) St. John Branigan. The great objection in my mind to seperate native districts or provinces and parliaments is the tendency they would have to build up substantial organizations which would in course of time become the rallying points for disaffection. The proposal in this paper appearing to me less amenable to the objection than any other proposal with which I have met. I think if the thing could be well workedout that the District Board would acquire such a local tinge and have so much real work to do, that the danger of there being misused for so called National purposes is materially lessened. I should prefer that the duties of the boards should be as much administration and as little legislative as possible Julius Vogel 20/4/70