LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. January 9th, 1844. OPENING MEETING.

Auckland Times, Volume 2, Issue 53, 16 January 1844, Page 1

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. January 9th, 1844. OPENING MEETING.

The G o v ernor’s Speech. G entlemen, In requesting your attendance so soon after my anival in New Zealand, and for so limited a time as may be required for deliberating on three measures only, I am urged by the necessity of the case. A long interval has elapsed since the, lamented decease of your late respected Governor, a distinguished officer and good man, whose name stood deservedly high, and whose anxious interest in New Zealand unquestionably caused that early terrains avion of his earthly career, which all hi friends deplore. In consequence of the disallowance by Her Majesty, of the Supreme Court Ordinance, no time should be lost in effecting the necessary alterations, and making provision for additional Judges. The Jury Ordinance has also expired : and as without such important Ordinances, much evil might arise, it became absolutely necessary to call vou together to discuss and decide on new measures. This opportunity may be taken advantage of to amend slightly the Land Claims’ Ordinance; by making the acts of a single Commissioner as legal, and in all respects as effectual, as those of two Commissioners. Beyond these important measures however, no further steps in Legislation can be taken at present. The late melancholy and fatal catastrophe at Wairoa has made it imperatively necessary that I should repair immediately to Cook's Straits,to enquire fully into all the circumstances of that most lamentable event, and then to act as may be necessary. If, on the one hand the conduct of the magistrate, Mr. Thompson, of my lamented friend Captain Wakefield,and those who were with them, should be proved to have been correct and justifiable, the supremacy of the law must be vindicated, and deliberate justice take its sure, however slow course. The power of Great Britain is irresistible in a just cause 1 But if, on the other hand, our countrymen were to blame, if their lives were forfeited in consequence of their own misguided or rash conduct, it, would be highly unjust or unwise in me to act hostilely towards the Natives, who, during their paroxysm of indignation, savagely s’aughtered our friends. Disputed claims to land, the cause

of this deplored loss of valuable life, and indeed of almost every quarrel in New Zealand, should be attended to zealously and earnestly, with the most anxious hope, and I would say confident trust, that much of the existing dissatisfaction and distress, may soon bo removed. Surveyors will be forthwith employer! in tracing and accurately describing in, writing, the hitherto undefined boundaries of lands in order that all Grants from the Crown may be delivered, speedily ; and in all cases the interesi» of early settlers, and those ofthe Abor. igines, will be fully considered. Without a cordial and confident intercourse between the Races in New Zealand, no prosperity can be permanent. The future welfare of this magnificent country depends on mutual good will which can only be maintained by truly Christian conduct In the Jury Bill which will be laid before you. there is a clause intended to prepare the way for an important step—that ofadmitting qualified Aboriginal Natives to sit as Jurors. Unquestionably they should acquire by degrees as many of tire privilege# and rights of British subjects, as they may be capable of exercising and enjoying without detriment. At my return from Cook’s Straits, E shall again ask for your attendance in the Legislative Council, and shall lay before you some measures of great importance to this Colony. Among these measures will be declaratory, or exceptional laws, in favor of the Aborigines and their descendants. An arrangement for guardedly authorizing some of the Native Chiefs to i act in a qualified manner as Magistrates in their own tribes, and for granting them small salaries, and a mode by which the Crown’s right of pre-emption, may in some cases bo waived to the mutual interest of tb® Aboriginal Inhabitants, as well as to the settlers, not only without prejudice to the public welfare, but in a manner calculated to promote general prosperity. The diminution of Customs’ duties, of Port charges, and Pilotage, with, a view to their ultimate removal, wilL be brought under your consideration; but a change of such magnitude as this must depend mainly on the Revenue raised "by other means, in lieu of that received under the existing system, and must be submitted to Her Majesty prior to being acted upon. Moderate land taxation, low taxes on houses, exempting those of a very small size, higher licenses for the sale of wines and spirits, duties on horse#, cattle and dogs.—Fee3 on the transfer of real property, on surveys and crown "rants, are means by which an adequate Revenue may be raised, whie enjoying the advantage of unrestricted commerce in free ports. These measures, and the alteration of others disa lowed, will call for much time and attention, which I am confident you will give cheerfully. I will now, gentlemen, humbly, but earnestly ask tor the blessing of God upon our honest exertior# for the public welfare and proceed to lay before you a bill for establishing Supreme Courts in New Zealand.