Original Correspondence. THE GOVERNOR AND THE MISSIONARIES.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 185, 8 March 1848, Page 2

Original Correspondence. THE GOVERNOR AND THE MISSIONARIES.

Tv the Editor of the New Zealander. Sir, — The grand question between his Excellency and the Missionaries appears to have excited considerable interest, and the parties appear, as the New Zealander, at the commencement facetiously expressed it, to have assumed a itand-up fight. But what is it all about ? and who commenced ? and what the probable conclusion of the whole matter ? and what the benefit to Prince or Peasant ? and what tbe probablegain, and what the probable loss ?— have these been considered ? That Missionaries and Governors should be in battle array, is certainly novel in the annals of war ; but how cornea this preient matter about ? It ii said the Missionaries are jealous and vexed — but how ? — when ?— and for what ? The reason assigned is, because the Govrrnor has cast them off— ls this a lots to the Missionaries or to the Governor ? It is said they assumed authority and desired influence in the cabinet— on what authority this is given is not known. The jealousy and vexation, me-think», appears rather on the part of the Governor, who, like Pharaoh of old nith regard to the increase of Isiael, fears theie families may yet overrun the land with their vast and increasing offspring, and would serve theie children the same and cast them into th« ie*. As newly .imported, I may not be supposed to know much of tbe question — admitted. I have however made enquiry, have examined the records, and from all I can learn, it appeari that the Missionaries have certain Crown Grants for land, which exceed in measurement His Excellency's ideas. I further learn that these men against whom the Governor's ire is put forth, are men of years, seivice, and influence, and if they possess what may be termed excessive granti, they possess also excessive families. Six of these families, thus denounced, I have learned, posiess sixty-three children, thirty grand children, who with their parenti, form a party of ninety-nine, for iix claims. Now it appears that the law upon the question would admit the same Grant, as proposed by His Excellency, to six single young men, who might have preceded the year 1 840. Some of His Excellency's letters to these gentlemen, copies of which I have seen, are offensive.casting severe aspersions, and putting the whole question in such a shape that no man of honor or respect for himself, could meet the Governor's views, were he ever so desirous. There is evidently a mistake, but where, who (shall determine ? This fight, whether the Governor be victor or vanquished, must be attended with much evil and loss, and should be avoided— it will reflect dishonor upon the local Government, the whole beiug their own act and deed. The Missionaries have been put into their present position by the Government. The Missionaries if they have not might, appear to have right, on their side— and " tbe Righteous are bold as a lion." I am, Sir, Your's, Fido. March 1, 1843. [Fido, '• newly imported" as he calls himself, has made no bad vie of his time, for be has been able to look this matter straighter in the face than may that have had more time to learn. Both sides— the general iisue of war— will eventually be losers: the one side of reputation— the other of many a broad acre. To the sacrifice of the land we believe that the Missionaries must reconcile themselves ; but we hope that they will never cease to bestir themselves, until the aspersions that have been so unjustly cast upon them shall be thoroughly wiped away. We purpose taking an early opportunity of returning to the subject.— Ed. N. Z.]