PARLIAMENTARY PAPER.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 203, 2 December 1864, Page 1 (Supplement)

PARLIAMENTARY PAPER.

MEMORANDUM BY Me. WELD,

1. Mr. Weld, having received the Governor’s commands to undertake the formation of a Ministry, and having at an interview stated the grounds upon which alone he should feel justified in placing his services at the Governor’s disposal, now submits in writing the following propositions for his Excellency’s consideration : 2. Mr, Weld is of opinion that the system of double Government by Governor and Ministers has resulted in evil to'both races of her Majesty’s subjects in New Zealand. He recognizes the right of the Home Government to insist on the maintenance of this system so long as this Colony is receiving the aid of British troops for the suppression of internal disturbance. He is prepared to accept the alternative, and will recommend the Assembly to request the Home Government to withdraw the whole of the land force from the colony, and to issue such instructions to the Governor as may enable him to be guided entirely by the recommendation of his constitutional Advisers, excepting only upon such matters as may directly concern Imperial interests and the prerogatives of the Crown.

3. Mr. Weld is aware that the Governor, be* fore taking action upon a proposition which would change the whole aspect of the relations between the Mother Country and the Colony, may probably feel it his duty to ascertain the views of her Majesty’s Home Government; he would, therefore, pending their decision, recommend to the Colonial Parliament that the Colony should undertake a reasonable liability for the services of troops actively engaged in the field, at the especial recommendation of his Excellency’s Ministers, and for such troops only. 4. Mr. Weld would recommend that a small standing colonial force be kept on foot, armed, and trained with special reference to the nature of the service required. 5. It would be his duty to advise that at least one strong military post should be occupied about the centre of the coast line of the Iv'gatiruanui country, with such force as the Lieutenant-Gene-ral may deem requisite, and that a road be made from Wanganui to the northern part of the Taranaki Province.

6. The colony having entered into arrangements with a large number of military settlers, Mr. Weld would propose that sufficient land, being part of the territory belonging to the insurgents and now in military occupation, should be taken to fulfil those engagements, and that the description of such confiscated lands, and proper plans thereof, should be made public without delay.

7. In the last session the General Assembly resolved that the seat of Government should be removed ■ o some place in Cook's Straits, to be determined by a commission officially appointed for that purpose. In accordance with the recommendation of that commission, Mr. Weld would propose that the seat of the General Government ha at once removed to Wellington.

8. Mr. Wold thinks it right to state frankly that if the Governor should feel it his duty to differ on any material point with his Constitutional Advisers, Mr. Weld would, without hesitation, place his resignation in his Excellency’s hands, lie, therefore, considers it essential that in such a case the Assembly should at once be called, or oilier Advisers summoned.

,9. Should the Governor be pleased to concur in the above proposals, and authorize Mr. Weld to make that concurrence known, Mr. Weld would feel justified in attempting to fulfil the task im-

...posed]ipoiulum-by liia^Excullcncy.-.-..... ...... ■ - 'Eked.'A..Weld Auckland; November 22,18Q4.'

In reference to tho propositions submitted by Mr. Weld for tho Governor’s consideration, he would say that, if a majority of the General Assembly concurs in them, it will bo his duty to aid, to tho best of his ability, in carrying them out. November 22, 1864. G. Guey.