THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND. From the Times, December 15.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 197, 19 April 1848, Page 4

THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND. From the Times, December 15.

Ni w Zealand, since the date ot tlic Treaty of Wai taimi, has been the subject ot a succession of the most ciucl experiments. A rubb.t m tlie hands of Dr. Miijendie could scarcely have met wifh hurbher treatment. From Captain llobson to Captain Filzroy, from Secretary Normanby to Secretaiy Stanley, an-1 from him to Seeretury Gladstone, thehc uiifortumite iblands have been toesed about 'ike a shuttlecock to the entire and perfect rum of tvery while settler who has iuid the misfortune to be connected with them. It is dilhcult to see one's way clearly through the liibiory ot New Zealand. Fust came Hie original bchemeot the missionaries to steal a march upon the Government, and erect the colony — if 80 it should piovaat last. — into the likeness of one of Hie pioprietary colonies of Hie seventieth and eighteenth centuiics, Hi the North American Union. Mr. Dandeson Coutes and his fellows, thunUu to the good sense of the House of Commons, weie foiled in that attempt. Then came the ei a of Captain llobson, imd the first entttblibhment of the New Zealand Company, under the auspices of the Wakelields. The capital of the colony was, fixed at one of its most distant points. Between the bickenngs of the Colonial Office and the Company it was impossible for the settlers to obtain title to a bingle acre ol the land in the purchase of which they had expended their foi tunes. Tuebe were the halycou times of protettois of aborigines, and of Wairuu musiacres. Then came Captain Fn/roy und his assigns. Every where the natives were in icvolt against Biittsh authority. John lleki in the Upper and Ruaparaha and ll'ingihucta in the Lowei (Jisuict of the Northern Ibluiid, Kept the flame of rebellion in a glow. Hostile natives hummed in on every side the rising; town of Wellington, and yet the white inhabitants were foi bidden to form themselves into an armed .militia for lheir own security. The original settlers weio fabt disappearing. Tncir means had long since been exhuustetl. They had gone out on the faith of premises, — they could find nothing but good intentions ; at lu«r, not even those remained. &uch, we believe is a pietty fair statement of the condition of the colony during the time Governor i'lizroy administered its aflairs, and the disputes between the Company and the Colonial office were at their height. In a moment of blissful inspiration the lumpy thought occurred to some fortunate statesman that what New Zealand wanted had not yet been discovered. Muny things had been tried, — they lud all 'ailed. The civili/ition of Great Biiuin got spoiled and rusty in the sea voyage to the Antipodes. There was no need of any veiy nice theological dispututionisl — the natives had to be instructed in the first rudiments of t Chiistian practice and belief, theic was no need of equity lawyers, n r of common lawyers, of currency doctors, nor ol any of the various quucksalvert of civilization. New Zealand had occasion for one tiling, and one thing only, — 10 be governed by a " man." It was under the»e c rcumstances that Captain Grey was appointed, ahd as far as the conduct of a Governor at the Antipodes can be criticised with safety, he seems to have been eminently worthy of the trust. The event has happened in his case which invariably happens when a man of real ability and force of < harncK'r takes the place of a mere pretender to these qualities. A sort of spell has fallen on the islands. Hostile aborigines are conciliated, native chiefs check mate each oluei. We hear little or nothing- of insecutity of hie or property, or if such Bhould unfortunately exist, it rapidly disappear*. By the last despatoheß for instance, we received the. official intelligence of the disturbances union had been suppressed by th'j rigour and decision ol Captain Laye. It is difficult of course to find a reason for everything, but some way or other a mun like Governor Cirey always find*! or makes cfliuent subordinates. He inspires ull around him with his own spint. Every one knows that il he would g.im the approbation of hib chief he must (nltMvoui 10 emulate his vigour of purpose, and ntciij-y ol chaiai Icr. lai, all w.is well. The pl,m loi New Zealand hid been found. It was too much to C\peet that he would be left to cany out his task without mlLrfeicncc from home. We daic say, thcie nevfi was ahccieUry .\t the Colonial Office, who iuis had the fjood of the colonies more earnestly at lu-.ut tlhin J'>.i'l (; icy. In Mi. llawes he has found a painst,il\i/if< ami ()i!ig}ilencdto,t(ljutor< Between them how (vci, last possioii, tlit y ln.muiaetuml a spick ami spaii constitution for the islands of Mew Zealand, which \ws to be the implement of the piactical activity ot

Captain (Jroy. Theio weie to he muiiicipal bodies, and e'eeloial bodies, and distinct Houses ol Assembly, and a united House of Assembly. The giadation of votes was a subject of Iho closest calculation. All (he nice and delie lie mnehineiy, in shoit, which levisirg banistois ami the Common I'le.is, and I'ailiatnentaiy Committees cm scaiecly maintain m its vicious pcileelion at home, was suiidenl) to he tt.ir.splnnled into New Zealand. Jeiemy Hcnlham and the Abbe Syeycs could not have been 111010 ingenious 01 moio unwise Ibiin Ivul diey and iMt. Hants. Luukily foi them, and loi all pailies roueeined, when then new Miummagem constitution ai lived <it (lie Antipodes, theie was ,i man time of sufbeieiil sense and snUii lent <le(ei initiation to pack it up .ik.iiii mi <i blue box and send it home again to Downing stud. Its on»iu,itors deserve the lushest etedit in tins i< sport. They have not taken oIU ueej.it the conduct o( the distant (lovctnoi . 'I'liev have had the coinage and di-eretion to conic helot u P.uli imenl, and say, "(apl.nn Ciicy 11 m a better position tli m we aie to knou the Until oi tins mattei — . we ])iay hou. gentlenien to sus|)ctul, ( ? cancel) that tneastuc which last session we pi \yrd (hem (o enact." Wo iinleignedly Jidmiie li.ul C»iey (01 the sincenly of puipose and anxiety ibi th' 1 public scivice he lias displayed in this mattei. Jt may nor have fallen to the lot of many of our lc.uleis, unless they lnve visited Lisbon 01 South Ameiica, to have had a sliat c m lianiing a constitution. It is a hittci moment when we aie compelled to gulp down the works of'oui own hands. K.ul Ony, bowcveijias had the good sense to do so without a ininmur. Jie lias not, like Sir Fietlul I'lagiaiy, consideicd the gicatest defects of this bant* ling ol his imagination, its most obvious beauties. When Captain drey tells linn that the iNiw Zi alaiidi is will lclusc to sul'imt to a taxation imposed liy llic votes ol a small minority of whites, he assents to the suggestion, and asks L'aihamcut lor poweis to suspend iiulcfimtcly luu oun favoiitttc selieine.