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Auckland Times, Volume 1, Issue 34, 16 February 1843, Page 1

This is an earnest an anxious period for the Colony of New Zealand —we wait the arrival of a new Governor, and of new measures* Only a few days ago :'we celebrated what, in o courtesy, is'called the third anniversary.of the colony, in reality—the third anniversary ot the date when Captain Hohson proclaimed \the "British sovefteignity of these Islands, —an event which has about as much right to claim the foundati6n of the Colony, as the conquest ot William ot Normandy, according fo school-boy parlance and custom, has to commence the history of England. Let us make a brief recurrence to the .state ot thirgs I efore this event, and proceed thence to observe what influence the soverei<rnitv of Great Britain* has had upon onr fortunes. For more than a third of a century there has been a constant and increasing intercourse between the subjects of Great Britain* (whether speculators from New South Wales, or whaling captains and other traders) and the inhabitants of these Islands : various fortunes have attended these transactions ; but as it is a peculiarity in tie character of the natives, to hold in the highest honour the possession ot territory (which they will as strictly define as the best conveyancer in Lincoln's Inn or else* where), it was an obvious policy on the part of those who were dealing with them, to fpurehase their respect, by] becomingiproprietors of the soil. In this way a great deal of land, by the right of purchase and payment, [came into the possessionfjot the] early settlers, and a valuable market

tor British manufactures, with a suitable return of native commoThe general consideration of soil, climate,! fand other recommendations (in which we honorably bear testimony that the desiref to promote the spread of the gospel had a prevailing influence) induced the British Government to adopt New Zealand, therefore,[asone of England's depots of emigration. —But, how has this resolution been carried out? jjThus !—The British Government have seemed to consider, that there is a IDivinity doth hedge a Pueen,' and that it was only necessary to say otaud to all the stubborn and incongruous materials of which this place is composed — Sic volo sic jubeo, and that the omnipotent power of a new creation would be conferred at once upon our Royal Mistress—whom may God bless and preserve. But the days ot miracles are gone by, and the humbug of the New Zealand Company has evaporated, -and even the Queen's counsellors, as well as their unhappy, victims, must come to their senses, The first step of the British Government was to destroy the validity of all previous land contracts, upon the plea that they had been founded upon a tobacco and blanket barter, —and thereby, [to annihilate all the [vested interests of the place, and completely to dissever the mercantile associations upon which [it [most materially depended. Their next, to set up a land market, at exorbitant upset prices, in comparison of which, any miquitv previously complained of sinks into insignificance, They next introduce an

uuwieldy Government establishment, admirably adapted lor some place of a century's stand* ing which may possess the blessing of a real export revenue*; and alicr all this —without one single effort to supportgiheir own schemes (by a recommendation of the Colony they have taken the pains thus to establish),without even fairly spending the moiety ot their receipts upon the purposes ol emigration, to which it was so sacredly pledged, without even giving to the enquiring Colonists (the new people who came here in reliauce upon Government measures) f»ny account ot what has been done with all the money they nave been fooled out ot,-without any of Uiese obvious things being done-the Gor&r.&MENT, payments themselves begin to falter, and because the Colonists are somewhat out of heart, they set the first shameful exampse(shame* tul, because unnecessary) of a delay in the fulfilment of obligations ; instead ot using their power and influence to enli v en a season of dullness, which can be, aj the very worst,- only a temporary interruption in ihe prosperity of Auckland* 4nd then how have the real capabili* ties ot the Colony been main tained ? And how has the honor of the British name been kept up? After destroying the rights of the original Colonists, and condemning all former barter transactions as contraband ! will you believe it in England! that the Government Store, a wretched shed, whose best contents have been rat-traps, rusty muskets, and cast off military cloth \ng % with the occasional refresher of a pound or two ot tobacco, has been the prime Exchequer for the Government's own purchases ot land ; ahd that the

possession of the Country (for all the Government t has yet had to do in the matter) is, as entirely as ever, in the keeping of the natives. Thus have the great natural advantages of this place, strengthened as they were by the acquisitions [ot the early I Colonists, been impeded instead ot advanced by acquiring the character of a British j settlement—to the pr>aintenance of which the Crown of England is pledged, and t this at a time when the mother country is shaken to her very centre by the clamour of millions of unemployed people* The remedy ot the complaint being obviously —a [[national and enlightened plan of emigration, founded upon a low price tor Colonial lands, and a mortgage upon the pur, chase -money, to ensure a return for the price of deportation : a simple remedy—as obvious as easy. Is there an apologist tor the s\stem that has prevailed ? It there be, let him look at Mr, Fairbu.rn's advertisement in our last page, aud blush to think that any journalist should dare to publish it in the face of the Go verhment sale notice of this day : we are; upon re-consideration, not surprised that our contemporary ot the Chronicle rejected it # As we have often said before, it!lip been the Whig Government in their absolute and less delusion, who are to blame (they wanted us not only to go alone, but to•-- give milk in the cradle), and not so much the local Governrhent or the presv&t} Borne Secretary for the Colonies—to whom we eagerly look for better things.— We want only of him that he will plenty with his penury/' and -..gi'v.e us the means and opportunities of doing juslice to New Zealand, Lei him

send out labour, and reduce the price of land : mutual prosperity will follow.