The New-Zealander. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 8, 1847.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 159, 8 December 1847, Page 2

The New-Zealander. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 8, 1847.

Be just and fear noti Let all the ends thou aims't at, be thy Country's, Thy Gou's, and Truth's.

The New Zealand Charter was proclaimed in a Gazette of last week, and we publish it in our columns to-day, for the information of those readers who may not have seen the official document, True it is that a copy of these " Letters Patent," has already appeared in the New Zealander, but , reaching us as it did through the Australian press, we deem its re-publicatioa necessary, as some inaccuVacies are discoverable by comparing it with the one now proclaimed. Anything like a running commentary on the present authentic publication of the Charter, is we conceive unnecessary ; for after all, it is but an outline to be filled up in accordance with its accompanying instructions. And the outline not being very bold or well refined, will only assume a distinct and tangible form when filled up hereafter by the " powers that be." This is all very proper to a certain extent ; for it enables the Home Government to adapt the working part of the scheme to the requirements of the country at its successive periods of developement. The inhabitants of New Zealand having the power of self government placed so much at their own disposal, it will be a reproach to them if from antagonism, caprice, or any other folly, they abuse, without using, a privilege so freely granted them. Being the interest of every one to enjoy good government, so it will be especially the interest as well as the duty of those in whom education is found combined with a certain stake in the country, to lend their willing assistance towards its promotion. The date on which the ptoclamation is to take effect has a certain degree of importance attached to it unconnected with the Charter itself. It is this, on referring to the debates in Council, we find Captain Grey replying to Mr. Brown in. this manner, on the Land Claims :—: — •• And he had intended also to seize on an opportunity that would shortly be afforded him to adjust those claims. He would shortly proclaim the act that repealed the Land Sales Act, as regards this colony ; and afterwards, before he should proclaim the New Charter, while there would be no law virtually existing at regards the sale of land, he should then finally arrange these claims." Now this lawless period is drawing rapidly to a close ; tor it being but three weeks to the Ist January, 1848, when a new law comes into force, we are naturally getting anxious on the matter. We, at all events, are not desirous of allowing so important a declaration of his Ejicellency's intentions to remain in oblivion until it is too late to execute them.

The intended resumption of Immigration to this country, notified in the last Gazette, must in connection with the settlement of Pensioners on the&e shores, be considered as the commencement of an era of prosperity, which the most sanguine individual can at present scarcely anticipate. As yet the supply of labour afforded by the Pensioners, has been nominally nothing; to speak generally, the parents, if not too old, are too habit-ridden, and tke children are too young, and ignorant from want of experience. A very little time will however correct this latter objection. But now are to be introduced a class of persons who at home have been obliged to work, and work hard too in many cases, andwho will brin£ their industrious habits to a field of employment that will yield them a gratifying and abundant return for theif toil. For a man is not always sure ' at home of eating bread even by the sweat of 4iis brow. We hope to see .instructions of a more general character issued from the Colonial Secretary's Office, to give information on points where the formal government notice is deficient.