The Lyttelton Times

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 131, 9 July 1853, Page 7

The Lyttelton Times

July 9, 1853 Ijt our last number we adverted briefly to a letter from the Governor, covering a despatch from Sir John Pakington, and conveying instructions to Mr. Brittan to sell lands in the " late Canterbury district" as heretofore. We will now examine these two documents a little more closely, for they contain ".Much that may give us pause, if pondered fittingly." In his letter, Sir George Grey assumes over land in the Block,—too prematurely designated by him the " late Canterbury district," —powers which not only do not yet belong to him, but. which, considering the change of Administration.a. .few days after the date of Sir John Pakington's despatch, it'is somewhat doubtful if he will obtain uncontrolled possession of at all. Of this despatch the last paragraph is as absurdly inconsequent on its antecedent one, the third, as the latter is contradictory of the second; and it will as little bear examination into ; the • soundness of its law as the opening paragraph will into its grammar. We beg gui- readers attention to this most remarkable specimen of Colonial Office slip slop :

- - '*" I transmit to you copy of such correspoiidence of which it is material you should be' informed as has taken place between this department and the Canterbury Association since the*date of my last advices to you on this subject."

Shades of Lindley Murray, what subject ! all that the most careful perusal has enabled us to discover in the sentence is, that the whole of .it is a " subject" fit for ridicule, like the rest of the despatch. Give Sir John his deserts and it is no slight whipping he would escape with.

The second paragraph tells us that Sir John has informed the Association that "their power of disposal over the Waste Lands has determined .-" when up comes paragraph three, gives the lie direct to paragragh two, and acquaints the Governor that "allthat remains is to : issue the formal instrument necessary to effect this determination, which Joiil be forthwith done and of which you will he immediately apprised." One "determination" is pretty clear, —that of Sir John to alike defy the rules of grammar and common sense, as is further proved by paragraph four, which, reckless of consequences, regardless of logical deductions, and of the legitimate use of the adverb demonstrative goes on; " Therefore until the General Assembly shall otherwise provide," Her Majesty enjoys power to regulate the disposal of waste land in the Province " which power she delegates to yourself." Pity Her Majesty cannot also delegate to the colonists "power of disposal" over a Colonial Secretary who can thus waste his own time and Her Majesty's stationery.

Now for anything we, or the Governor, may know to the contrary this formal instrument has not yet been issued. What powers then can Sir John Pakington delegate or the Governor assume ? The conclusion, however, to which this maze of inconsistency and informality points is simply this; that a doubt must exist of the validity of any conveyance which may be issued in virtue of. this pretended delegation of power, and we fancy that neither Mr. Brittan nor the Sub-treasurer will be greatly troubled with "weekly payments" on account of land sales.

The utter carelessness with which official documents are construed here is only equalled by. that- displayed in drawing them up 'in England. Against this we can see no other remedy than in the regular meeting of those Councils, which His Excellency pertinaciously delays to convene in direct opposition to the views of English statesmen of all parties, and the intentions of the late and of the present Ministry. The Representatives of the people assembled in Council constitute, among free born Englishmen, the only proper organ of communication between the Government and the people. An assembly is more or less responsible; a public meeting repiesents often no more than the voice of faction, and is at any rate restrained by no sense of responsibility to any other body, large or small. The true question that takes precedence of every other is : are Aye or are we not to have Representative Government ? Not whether we are to express " feelings and wishes " as .to high or low priced land, in order that His Excellency may then " make such further regulations as may appear to him"—of course not sis may -berGonsideEedJoyous—:that..Js_ of secondary importance—" necessary arid proper.'' Whatever regulations may appear "necessary and proper" are those -the General Assembly

and Provincial Councils, and not the Governor, may consider to be so.

It is well known that the Constitutional Act Avas framed by Sir John Pakington, chiefly with the concurrence of Mr. Gladstone. This gentleman was not contradicted when in his speech on the introduction of the Act he interpreted the views of the Colonial Minister, and said: .'

" The Right Hon. gentleman has moreover made another step in advance.- He has proposed to hand over, with certain restrictions the control of their own land to the colonists. The" Bill gives the Colonists of New Zealand the right of dealing with their own lands. If these distant legislatures are fit to dealjvith the subjects you entrust tothem, why not let them deal . with them ? If they are unfit to deal with them,. why put into their hands the power to. meddle, with them ? My belief is that the. highly in- 1 telligent community you have founded in New » Zealand more thoroughly reflects the.spirit, the* character, and intelligence of England than ' almost any other among all your colonies,' and my opinion is, that they will exercise so clear an intelligence in discerning what is for their > own good, that they will rectify the errors of our crude legislation." ......

So spoke one of the chief English statesmen, once Colonial Minister, and Sir George Grey's superior officer. If any one thinks Sir George a wiser legislator, he is welcome to his belief; we cannot entertain it.