Correspondence.

Anglo-Maori Warder, Volume 1, Issue 23, 28 September 1848, Page 3

Correspondence.

To the Editor of the Anglo-Maori Warder. Sir,—During the last few months my attention has been forcibly drawn to the political position of the Northern Settlers of this island, as one of whom I affirm that we stand like meu who Lave not only lost all political rights, but have likewise forgotten tbe value our forefathers attached to them. I think that now, when the voice of the people is making itself beard over the whole world, there cannot be a better opportunity for shaking off the apnthv that has come o«pr us, and endeavouring, by unanimous and constitutional remonstrance, to regain the position which to freeborn Batons is a birthright. I would ask my fellow settler? to consider the following question*, and then consricnti.-usiy to act after the impressions made upon thcr minds. Has Governor Grey acted as the friend of the people *r«s a just aud upright adviser of the Crown—as a frame*-of constitutional laws for tbe advancement of he se -eral interests of the community he governs ? For myself, I feel that be has not; and should the ■ante conviction arise in the minds of others, the question of what is our duty, and why we are not doing it, then remains. We have been taunted with the monied assistance tbe Mother Country hat rendered us: may we not more justly be taunted with having seen that money wastefully expended, without doing our duty as British subjects, by represent!ug to tbe Commons of England how their gifts to us are wasted and squandered away ? We have also been taunted as a people living on a Commissariat expenditure. It is only too true; hut what has driven us to live upon it? Is it not because the land and labour of the colony are monopaPsed bv the Government? Ib it not a farce to advenise land at £1 5«. per acre, that would not bting 4s. by public competition ? If a settler applies for a certain portion of land to be put up to sale, is not 100 per cent, or more immediately placed upon it ? And how can it be expected that natives should be found wilting to labour for the settler, when the Government will pay them at the same rate for a *' day's work*' which they could peiform in three hours ? Public works ought to be left to pubPc competition. Is the revenue of this spent in a useful and economical manner for the benefit of either settler or native? After eight years expenditure for the survey, harbour master's, and public works depart* ments, what permanent good has been effected for ns ? How much land has been surveyed, and at what cost per acre? Have we not paid for surveying parts of this town seveo or eight fines, and is the work now dong correctly after all ? From .£4OOO to £SOOO at least has been expended m the Hatbonr Master's department, for which we hare about 200 feet of jetty and four buoys. Had this money been judiciously expended, might we not bv this time hive had a li c bt. and an efficient pi'ot establishment which wu'd now be able to support itEelf? Hare we roads worth ppeuking of for the money that has been sunk in them ? Hare practical men been employed to expend that money in the different departments? or have they been men whom the Government wished to provide for out of the !o-al revenu: and the gifts of the British Commons to us ? Police have been established for the preservation of order, peace, and property in the settlement * but under the present system have tbey not bpcnme an oppression and burthen to the people who pay them ? Have we not a court established amongst us, possessing unconstitutional pnwer, alrrost, indeed, *upersedinz our inherited right of trial by jury? Is there any power in the state to control the Governor, or hinder him from acting despotically ? Is there any appeal bul to the British Government where our voice at present is not heard, and we are in no way represented ? t 1 ask my fellow colonisrs to consider these questions. Then, if they feel convinced, with me, that we are not governed in the spirit of the British Constitution, that we have no representation or voice in the management of our own affairs and rev* nue—that the land of the colony is put beyond our reach'—that the hope held out to us two vears since, of *eeing tbe land claims settled, and the Government carried on in a firm and liberal spirit, has faded away—it remains to consider what is oar duty to ourselves, our families, and our country; whether we are not buund in honour jiMbopesity, to show to the Bii'i&h Government that t - "power entrusted to our ruler is abused, and prove rf-y the Commons of England that their glf s are "■y^sted. ' " Our pains," it might be answered, " weuld be only thrown away; the Governor is all powerful at home." Yet let it be remembered that truth unanimously affirmed and recorded, will sooner or later prevail; and even should the time be long, we shall at least have the satisfaction of feeling that we have done our duty, not as political agitators, but as freemen stating their grievances to the parent State. I sincerely trust that these remarks may induce some gen- , tleman with the necessary talent and time at his I disposal, to come forward and take the lead, f 0 r I ! frmly believe that the great body of t.ie settlers would firmly support and rail) round him were he to call upon them to join him in a temperate and honest representation of our present position to the Government at Home, These remarks have been made under the sheerest conviction of the necessity of a reform in our present system of government; and I trust that they will do their part toward*, inducing ev c ry colonist to cn-operate actively in such a movement, should it be once f.Mr set on foot. J I remain, Sir, A [" A Colonist" must remember that we h.ve alvv a >s deprecated local agitation, and that wc cannot take par; in any thing that can be said to savour of it. Even were it otherwise, we should ilill hold any such move- i ment to be premature. His Excellency is at present so firmly seated in the good graces of the Home Go- ! women., that toy itprese&tatum from the New 2ea-

and Colonists would be fretted with neglect—possibly nut even read. Tbey woold have their labour for their travail. We still hold to the opinion expressed by us long since, that tbe question of Sit George's triumph or disgrace is independentof any representations which may be made by tbe colonists themselye^—that he will stand or fall hy his own despatches. If they contain nothing but the truth, we believe that nothing will shake him; if they contain more th°n the truth, sooner or later some hsppy accident will let in light upon the whole. If once suspicion te awakened—if once he be put upon his defence, he is a lost man. If the small?st breach be made at the top of the dyke, the whole is inevitably carried away. To conclude, let us recommend to the notice of our corresdondent a maxim of Lord Chesterfield'B, well worthy being borne in mind—"never strike,until you are sure to wound." ,( A Colonist" may lie by patiently; a bright lookout is being kept; the hour and the time, should it ever arrive, will surely not be suffered to slip by unimproved.—En.]