A MODEL COLONIST.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 263, 10 May 1865, Page 3

A MODEL COLONIST.

Mr. Q-. Graham, a member of the House of Representatives for Newton (Auckland Province) has written a letter to the Council of the Northern Association on politics in general, but more particularly on the question of confiscating the lands of the rebels. The letter was rather too bad even for the Northern Association, who wisely declined to take the'matter into consideration, on the ground that general politics and especially the question of confiscation was foreign to the objects of the Association, which is simply to obtain the political separation of the North and South of New Zealand. From his long letter, we have culled a few of the choicest paragraphs, which will be found below. We believe he has had in his time some extensive dealings in the native lands of the Colony—hence, perhaps, his feeling on the question EXTRACTS FROSI MR, GEORGE GRAHAM’S LE'JWER TO THE NORTHERN ASSOCIATION. I believe that it would be injurious to this province to confiscate any land save that which is actually required for the settlement of the Waikato regiments, and that even that laud should not be taken from the natives without payment, unless it is proved that the owners have been guilty of some crime that would justify such seizure, (a) ■ 1 before said that as a member of the General Assembly I feel bound to protect the interests of this Province, and I am also determined as far as lies in my power to see justice done to the Maoris. Believing, therefore, as I do that this Province has certain claims against all waste lands within its boundaries, I shall feel bound to resist any attempt that may be made to seize any land, or sell the same to pay the war debt. (6) From the waste lands of this province wo naturally expect to get funds for the purpose of immigration, roads and.bridges,.for-the endowment of schools, hospitals, &c., works in which the European and Maori ought to have an equal interest. I know that many think that native land should be seized to pay, the expenses of tho war. I think differently. I fear the coat of the war will be found to amount to above three millions of money. This ought to be paid by the colony at large in proportion to the amount of revenue collected in theßeveral provinces. Thus if we collect in this province 25 per cent, of the whole revenue of the colony, in that case we ought to have to pay no more than £750,000, and the other provinces £2,250,000. (c)

If the Southern settlements think that we will xobxmi^ptsmucepfone million or .more acres,. of the best of our land, to save their pockets, I trust they will find they are making a mistake, (d) 1 shall oppose, if I retain my seat in the General Assembly, any attempt at such, to. us, ruinous policy. I knbw that we can for about £lo,OOO.pnrchase one million acres of land from, the natives for settlement, or colonisation. This land alone, when re-sold, would pay our share of of the war debt, and enable us, if we act well, to employ both natives and all Europeans that require; work., But if we confiscate a million acres or more, we shall have to settle all disputes, (and 'disputes there will be), and perhaps fight foi* "large tracts of this land, and do much injustice to those who wish to make.this province their home, and’ even then our share of the war debt will have to be paid by other means, (e)

(a) Mr. Graham does not consider rebellion as a crime we believe he looks upon it as a justifiable course on the .part of the rebels. and_ on all the sacrifices made by the colony lu humanufe and treaSure'fi'the justTaiußify foran unhylywaj.—Ed. * (6) Knowing,at the saane time that the intention of the Confiseation Act was lo provide a fund from which to meet the war loan, and that the Auckland province has had all the benefit of the expenditure of that loan.—i En. ■ , ... (c) He does not believe that the 'rebels who cause the .war aud ita consequent expense should bo. made .to. bear that expense, even out of land that is of little or no value nor ever will be, to them. If land is taken from them it belongs to Auckland, and the other parts of the colony must pay the cost of what is to be the enrichment of that province.—Ed. . ..

(d) £3,‘000,000 paid by the colony to the almost exclusive benefit of Auckland would be no robbery; but the same repaid from the proceeds of confiscated native lands would be robbing that province.—Ed. . . (e) This means, Tfhat is the rest of the colony to us. that ,we ejsoUlil fifire for At ?... Lot us look out ■ for. ourselves: we can'get safely through,” though vfre nave a trifle'fe pay the natives for this laud that the Government would setae; why then should we support a scheme that might give us some trouble?—Ed.

Many, of the Maories have never been in arms' against us; others have taken~np arms in selfdefence. Some that have never been opposed to us have been imprisoned, aod never brought to trial; and if-we wish to prove to the world, and especially our countrymen at home, that we are disposed to act justly towards the natives of this land, wemust insist on a fair trial being given, and see that justice is done. We must not suffer any l innocent man to lose his property. I believe that the Northern Association would not exceed its duties were it to recommend what I have suggested for the consideration of the whole of the Auckland members, (f) It would tend to convince our countrymen at home that we have not forgotten to act justly or as Englishmen,.were we to send petitions' to the Governor, or to the Queen, begging that no man's land be seized or; confiscated, until it has been proved that the owner of the land has done some crime to justify suchconfiscationorseizure/ft> This would bring about a good feeling between us and the-Maoris. They would see that we wish to livo on friendly terms with them, and act honestly and Let us show that it is not we, that go to war with the Maoris to get their land. (A) Let us resist the Southern scheme of making our lands, the lands of our province, pay a debt that Southern votes enforced upon us. We now see the undisguised policy of the present Ministry. We see them withdraw nearly all the troops from this proviuce before peace is made. We see the greatest carelessness exhibited by the present Government towards the Maoris. They contribute largely to the revenue, and as inhabitants of this province, they are suffering from the gross injustice and neglect practised in leaving this part of the country without any Government, (i) Prom the Weld Ministry wo cannot expect any consideration. I trust the Northern Association will see the necessity of urging the people of this province to. petition the Queen, that none of our waste lands be taken under any pretence, and and that justice may be done to both races, and that no person shall be condemned unheard, or without a fair- trial, or shall lose his property merely to serve the interests of those who have been mainly the originators of the existing calamities. (J) r '