EXTRACTS FROM BLUE BOOK, 1847.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 199, 26 April 1848, Page 2

EXTRACTS FROM BLUE BOOK, 1847.

Copy of a Despatch from Governor Gicy to the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone. Government House, Auckland, Octobei 7, I8i«. Sir. — I had the honor this morning of receiving your Despatch marked " separate," of the 26th May ias>t ; and as a vessel sails in ;i few hours dncct for England, I am unwilling to lose this opportunity of making some few i cmaiks upon the changes. Her Majesty'.s Government propose to introduce into the constitution of this Colony ; although I write undei the disadvantage of being compelled to make these lcmaiks n\ a veiy huuied manner, and with no certainty whe-Llin-or not they may reach England in sufficient time to be of any use to Hit Majesty's Government. I suppose, in the fast place, that Hei Majesty's Government intend to divide New Zealand into two distinct colonies ; whether thcyaic botli to be placed unler one Goveinor-in-chief, in the manner proposed m ny despatch oi the 27th Jamiaiy lint, marked "srpaMte," or whether two totally distinct colonies sue to bo onned, is not MUtrnal to my pict>ent purpose. I suppose also that it is the wish oi Her Majesty's Govern-* nent thbt lcpiescntative institutions should be introIticud into each oi these colonies with the ieast possible lelay, but Uut they should be so introduced as to euMie, in as far as possible, harmony between the Executive and Legislative bodies ; and thusi to render these institutions available from the first moment of their erection, instead of a period of inutility and bitterness elapsing, during which disputed points would be contested between the Executive Government and the Legislative body, and all the really essential business of the colony would be disregarded. In this view, I beg to state, that I would recommend that, in the first instance, the officer administering the Government is each colony should be permitted to appoint a Legislative Council, composed, as at present, ofofikiul members, and of nominees of the Crown. lam not at present aware of any circumstance whiclx neeJ then prevent the immediate introduction of repre*. jentative institutions into that colony, which would comprise the settlements in Cook's Straits, and in the Middle Island. All questions of a vexatious nature between the Government and the settlers in that part it the colony have now been finally set at rest ; and with, a considerable acquaintance with British settlements, I can have no hesitation m lecordmg it as my jpinion that there never was a body of settlers to whom she power of local self-governmant could be moru wisely md judiciously entrusted, than the inhabitants of the settlements to which I am alluding. But there area number of questions connected with :he introduction of such Institutions, which 1 confess [ think can only be properly determined by inquiry uj . m the spot ; such as the limits of the various electoral hatricts; the proportion of members from town and :ountry districts—the precise qualification of electors— he places for polling — and questions of a like nature. These questions, 1 think, the officer administering the Severament in that colony ihould be required to determine, with tlie assistance of a Legislative Council, :onstituted in the usual manner. It the number of nembers in that Council wai extended to ten, five ofli;ial, and five unofficial, and the members were judisiously selected, as I have no doubt they would be, the jfficer administering the Government, would have the jenefifc of the best possible advice ; and these questions >fa really practical natuie, would be discussed upon ;he spot, and under such circumstances as would, I lave no doubt, secuie the efficient and sati\/aetoiy working of the institutions which might be introduced ; and which, when tiius settled, would piovide a legislative body which wo^d forthwith replace that which had previously existed. Isut with respect to the northern of the two colonies I beg to state that, until the questions connected with the land claims which have aiisen under the penny an acze pioelaniation, as well of those which hay« arisen from the grunts oi land extended in opposition to the opinions oi the Commissioners who heaid them, have been finally and conclusively set at rest, I do not think that any attempt should be made to introduoo representative institutions into it, 1 feel quite satisfied that if such an attempt were made before these questions were disposed of, cOoits would be made to return representatives, not to transact the real business of the country, but to agitate Ihese claims ; and from the number of Government servants who aie directly or indirectly connected with them, from the influence of some of the missionaries who claim such large tracts of land, and from other circumstances, I "Mr that a period of contusion, probably of renewed rebellion, expensive both in blood and money, must under such circumstances inevitably take place. I would therefore recommend that, in the Northern colony of tlie two, some period of time shou'd yet elapse before any attempt shou.d be made to introduce representative institutions: probably a period of two years mny suffice to settle the questions to which I have alluded, and to prepare the colony for the contempla ed change ; but this would soon be ascertained from the reports of the officer administering the Government. I should perhaps add, that it is not in the least my wish to leflect upon the inhabitant! of the Northern portion of New Zealand, or to draw any invidious com* parisons between themielves and the people of the Southern settlements ; on the contrary, there arc in the Northern part of the island many gentlemen for whom I entertain the highest respect and esteem ; and I would yield to no one in my desire to promote, in as far as practicable, the pi osperity and happiness of tbeColoniits in this part of New Zealand : but the troublesome questions to which I have alluded having arisen, and there being every probability, from the number and character o f the Native population, that disturbances may arise from them, 1 believe that in making these representations to you, and in basing such recommendalions upon them, lam taking the most certain means of securing the true interest of the inhabitants of this part of the Northern island, and at the came time performing a parmount duty to her Majesty's Government. I have, &c, (signed) G. Grey. The Right Hon. W.E. Gladstone, M.P. &c, &c, &c. No. 42. Copy of a Despatch from Governor Grey to Earl Grey. Government House, Auckland, July 7, 1847. My Lord,—l did not, until this morning, receive the enclosed protest of the Bishop of New Zealand, upon his own behalf, and upon behalf of the clergymen of his diocese, against certain portions of your

Lordship's Despatch, No 23, of the 23ul December last, winch, in conformity with the standing instructions ol ilie Colonial Dcpaitment, I have now the honor to tiansmit for your Lordship's infoimatinn. This protest of the Bishop of New Zealand leads mo to attach some importance to infoimation. which I received last night, to the cflbct that a veiy great degree of excitement had been cieated in this portion of New Zealand, both among the European and native population, by the publication in this colony, of your Loulbhip'b despatch, to which I have above referred. As, however, L am inclined to th nk th it the amount and piolublo effects of the e\citcment have been much over-rated, I will, aftei I have made fmther inquiries, address another Despatch on this subject to your Lordship. I have, &c. i (Signed.) G. Grey. / The Ri»ht Hon. Earl Grey, iVc. &c. &c.

Enclosuie in No. 42. St. John's College, Bishop's Auckland, July 1. IS 17. 9 May it rtXASE your Exckllfncy, I, George Augustus, by Divine permission, Bishop of Now Zealand, on ray own behalf, and on behalf of the clergymen of this diocese, omployed by Captain Hobson to interpret and explain the treaty of Waitangi to the native chick of New Zealand, do heieby record ]ny deliberate and formal protest against the principles r\picsscd in a letter of instiuctions addressed by the Right Hon. the Kail Giey to your Excellency, beaiing date, Downing-street, 23d December, 1846", to the effect tb.it, " The savage inhabitants of New Zealand have no right of property in land which they do not occupy, and which has remained unsubdued to the purposes of man." Against this doctrine I feel myself called upon to piotest, as the head of the missionaiy body, by whose influence and lepresentations, the native chiefs weie induced to sign the treaty of Waitangi, not one of whom would have consented to act as an agent of the Biitish Government, if the assurances given to them by Captain Ilobson had not been directly eontiary to the punciplcs now avowed by the Right lion, the Earl Grey. It is my duty also to inform your Excellency, that I am resolved, God being my helper, to use all legal and constitutional measures, befitting my station, to inform the natives of New Zealand, of their lights and privileges as British subjects, and to assist them in asserting and maintaining them, whether by petition to the Impciial Parliament, or other loyal and peaceable methods : but that, in so doing, I shall not forget the respect which I owe to your Excellency, nor do anything which can be considered likely to add to the difficulties of the colony. I have fuither to request that this communication may be forwarded .to the Right Hon. the Earl Grey, becrctaiy of State for the Colonies, with whom I am privileged to communicate through your Excellency. I have, &c. G. A. N. Zealand. His Excellency Captain Grey, &c &c. &c.

No. 43. Copy of a Dcspatcli from Governor Grey to Earl Grey. Government House, Auckland, July 7, 1847. My Lord, — In reference to my despatch to your Lordship, No. 71, of this day's date, in which I stated that I had been informed that a great dcgiee of excitement pievailed among the natives, upon the subject of your Lordship's dcspatcli, No, 23, of the 23rd December last, and that I would, after fuither inquiries, address your Loulship upon this point, I have now the honor to state that two vessels have just arrived from the Northern ports, where everything was proceeding most tranquilly and prosperously ; such is also the case in the vicinity of Auckland, as it was in the southern portions of the island, when I quitted them a lew days since. I am, theiefore, I think, justified in stating that a greater amount of tranquility and prosperity at this moment prevails throughout the whole of New Zealand, than has ever hitherto existed. I have, &c. (Signed) G. Grey. The Right Hon. Earl Grey, &c. &c.

No. 44. Copy of a dcspach from Eail Grey to Governor Grey. Downing -street, November 30, 1847. Sir, — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your two despatches of July 4, 1847, Nos. 71 and 73, from the kbt oi which I am happy to find that the publication of my despatch of December 23, 1846', had not been followed by that excitement among the natives of the northern paits of New Ulster, which report had given you leason to appiehend ; and that, at the date of your wiitiug, a gi eater amount of tranqnility and prosperity prevailed throughout the whole of New Zealand, than had ever, in your opinion, existed. I have received this intelligence with the more satisfaction, bfcause it to 8 far to dispel the alarm which would otherwise have been cxci ed by the Piotest, transmuted in your despatch, of the Bishop of New Zealand on bis own behalf, and that of certain Clergymen, "against the principle of my letter of instruction?," relernng, as I learn from the extracts, to my despatch of the 23rd December la»t. I have read this Protest with very great regret. Objections proceeding from his Lordilup to any principles of Government laid down by me, would have been entitled to, and would certainly have received, my most respectful consideration, had the grounds on which they rested been explained (o me; but I learn from this document with equal surprise and concern, that it was the expressed resolution of the Bishop, " to inform the natives of New Zealand of their rights and privileges as British subjects, and to assist them in asserting and maintaining them :" that is— for the conteit will not allow of any other interpretation of his words — to impress upon their minds the belief that tbeir rights and privileges would be invaded, and the Treaty of Waitangi violated, by the course of policy in respect to the land question, which her Majesty's Government had instructed you to pursue. It is true that the Bishop declares his intention of thui assisting the natives in maintaining their rights only, "by petition to the Imperial Parliament, or by other loyal and peaceable mean*," and disavows the intention of doing anything " which can be considered likely to add to the difficulties of the colony." I do not for a moment doubt the sincerity of these assertions. But I fear that it is impossible that language such as that of this Froteit, can be addressed to a people who have to lately emerged from habits of the most savage barbarism — a people well-armed and warlike, of easily excited passions, and minds untrained to European habits of obedience— without very serious risk. The natives are less likely to be acute in discriminating between "loyal and peaceable" and more violent methods of asierting their rights, than to be quick in apprehending and fierce in resenting any supoied violation of them, especially when imprested up-

on their minds by so high an authority as that of the Bishop of New Zealand. When I reflect on the scenes of which some parts of this colony have been lately the theatre, and the passions which have been aroused by questions arising out of this very subject, it appears to me, that those who use such language incur a heavy responsibility, and the heavier in proportion to the eminence of their station. If tbe employment of it has not, in this instance, " added to the difficulties of the colony," as your despatch gives me reason to hope, I cannot but think that this is less owing to tin Bishop's disclaimer of such intentions, than to the unsubstantial nature of the grievance with which he is endeavoring to persuade the natives that they are threatened. For I think it must appear evident to hhimselff f upon reflection, that he kas proceeded somewhat hastily to condemn the policy which I directed you to pursue in the despatch which he has quoted, without ascertaining with sufficient care, what trwrt policy really was. His Lordship has not correctly apprehended the purport of my instructions, which he has thus been led unintentionally to misrepresent in a manner calculated to excite in the minds of the natives a belief as to the intentions of the Government, which would have been equally unfounded in reality, and dangerous had it been unfortunately adopted by them. The Piotest is directed against what is termed my " doctrine " that " the savage inhabitants of New Zealand have no right of property in land which they do not occupy, and which has remained unsubdued to the purposes of man," and spems to assume that this "doctrine" was to be acted upon liy the Government's at once taking possession of all such land in New Zealand. I have said that this seems to he assumed, because, although the Protest is far from being clear, having apparently been written under feelings of much excitement, I can put no other interpretation upon it, since I cannot believe that the Bishop would have thought it necessary to protest, and to declare his intention of exciting and aiding the natives to resistance, against the mere expression of an opi»iont The despatch, instead of expressing any such intention as the Bishop appears to have supposed, expresses the very reverse. It says, indeed, thnt if this question were now open for consideration, that is, if wa were commencing the colonization of New Zealand fit the present time, the doctrine to which the Bishop objects would, in my judgment, be the best foundation of our proceedings, as I conceive it to contain the true principle in regard to property in land. These opinions I see no reason to alter. The Bishop has adduced no argument against them. I have been confirmed in them ;is well by the disastrous resnlts which have followed from acting on the contrary principle, as by the able «nd important judgment of the Supreme Court of the colony, transmitted to me in your despatch of the sth of July, last, No. 64, in which ihe Judges establish, upon the highest legal authorities, both of this country and America, that the views I expressed are those which, for nearly 300 years, have been uniformlj recognized and acted on by the consents of civilized nations. But it is ons thing to deny the grneral theory on which a certain supposed right is founded, and another thing to endeavor to let aside rights which have been formally re ogmzed, because they are founded on a theory coteived to be erroneous. While I laid down what I consider the better prinrip'e, I endeavored carefully to guard myself against being supposed to enforce it as ap* plicable to the present state of NewZaaland; and I believe that 1 succeeded in doing so. I expressly informed you that, in point of fact, you were not in a position to act upon that principle, and that, from past transactions, a state of things had arisen, in which a strict applica'ion of it was impossible. I sta'ed my belief that " the right of the Crown cannot now be asserted to la>^e tracts of waste land which particular tribes have been taught to call as their own." I directed you in the strongest language "to maintain those rights of the Native tribes to land which you have already recognized." All that I advised was this : that the theory of the ownership, by tribes, ofunoccupid land, should not be made the foundation of any future transactions', and that what I conceive to be the rights of the Crown, that is of the public (where no engagements to the contrary have been mide), should be dreJully attended to in the disposal of land, wherever no property has yet been recognized. And if the Bishop had consulted the instructions accompanying the Chatter, which were published with it, and which really contain the practical directions ti the local Government, and which my despatch was only intended to illustrate, he would there have found the greatest attention paid to the muintentmce of everything which can be called an existing Native right ti land, though established in consequence of the prevalence of that mistaken theory which I have combated. The Protector of tha Aborigines is there directed to in'orm the Registrar, respecting oil lands within hi*, district to which the Natives, " either as tribes or individuals, 1 ' claim either proprietary or possessory title ; that all such claims shall be registered ; and that wherever it shall be shown, either that such lands have been actually occupied by the Natives, or that the ownership to such lands, although unoccupied, has been recognized by the Executive or Judicial authorities to be vested in the Natives, auch claim shall be finally and conclusively admitted. , I cannot imagine what portion of these instructions can be designated as a violation of the rights of the Natives, at established either by the Treaty of Waitangi, or any othpr agreement or authority. Nor should I have thought it necessary to enter on this detailed justification of language used by me on any former occasion, had it not been for the singular misinterpretation put upon it (I have no doubt unintentionally) by so high a functionary. It is very unfortunate that the Bishop should have founded, on such a misinterpretation, a perilous appeal to the feelings of the Natives, and it will be happy for his Lordship, no less than for the public, if he shall have seen reason not to act upon his Protest, or if his views have failed to produce among the Natives that sense of injury which he himself appears to feel in their behalf. You will communicate a copy of this despatch to the Bishop of New Zealand. I have, ice, '(signed) Grey. Governor Grey, &c, Sec.

[Confidential ] No. 22. Extracts of a Despatch from Governor Grey to Earl Grey. Government House, Auckland, May 3, 1847. Since I had the honor of receiving your Lordship's private letter of the 27th of November last, transmitting the drafti of the papers relative to the introduction of a new constitution into this colony, which had been printed for the consideration of Her Majesty's government, 1 have felt much concern lest any want of care upon my part in omitting to forward sufficiently detailed information of the circumstance! of this portion of the colony, should have left Her Majesty's Government in ignorance of various points which I fear were not under their consideration at the time they determined to introduce immediately into the Province of New Ulster a conutUutlon of the AAtme of

that which is proposed. Should I have fallen into this error, the only excuse I have to offer is, that frwm the tenor of previous despatches from your Lordship's department I did not think that any change wonld for some years, be introduced into the form of government of this portion of New Zealand, and I did not imagine that, in the first instance, the form of government now proposed would have been intioducbd into any parl of this Colony. My reasons for entertaining the apprehensions above stated are, that Her Majesty's Government aviM, I fear bv introducing the proposed constitution into New Ulster, not do that which, from your Lordship's despatch forwarding tbe Chartei, I understand them to intend to do, Imt something different from it, and for which I believe (referring to the large number and present state of the native population in this colony) no precedent has been established, either by Great Britain or by any other country ; tb.it is by tbe introduction of the proposed constitution into the province of New Ulster, Her Majesty will not confer, as is Hitended, upon her subjects the inestimable advantages of self government, but she will give to a small fraction of her subjects of one race the power of governing the large majority of her subjects of a different race. She will not give to her subjects the valuable piivilege ot appropriating, as they may think proper, the funds raised from themselves by taxation, but she will give to a small minority of one race the power of appropriating as they think proper, a large revenue raised by taxation from the great majority of her subjects of another race. And these luither difficulties attend this question, that the race which is in the majority is much the moit powerful of the two ; the people belonging to it are well armed, proud, and independent, and there is no reason that I am acquainted with to think that they would be satisfied with, and submit to, the rule of the minority, whilst there are many reasons to believe that they will resist it to the utmost. — And then it must further be remembered that the minority will not have to pay the expenses of the naval and military forces which will bo required to compel tbe stronger and more numerous race to submit to their rule, bnt that on the contiary, these expenses must be paid by Great Britain. * # # *

Before stating the reasons upon winch these views are founded, I think it proper to mention that Her Majesty's native subjects in this country will certainly be exceedingly indignant at finding that they are placed in a position of inferiority to the European population , they will undoubtedly argue, as they now frequemly do, that they not only cheerfully ceded the sovereignty of their country to the Queen, but that when attempts have been made by some discontented tribes to throw off the sovereignty of Great Britain, and that at a period when, from the smallneis of the British force in the country, they had apparently some hopes of sue cess, the principal chiefs came forward, and freely gave the services of themselves and their people, and shed their blood in assisting to maintain for Her Majesty that sovereignty, which they had yielded to her. Whilst, on the contrary, they would justly regard the mass of the European population of this portion of the colony, as having been atti acted lolely here by motives of personal benefit, such as a desire of carrying on trade with the numerous native population ; or of benefiting by the expenditure of the Parliamentary Grant in aid of the civil government, or by the naval and militaiy expenditure. In illustrating the reasons which have induced me to form the options I have stated, I will take the population returns, published by my predecessor for the year 1845. No great change has taken place m either the European or native population since that period ; in fact, the distresses of the country induced many European settlers to quit the Colony, and no corresponding immigration has taken place ; with the exception therefore of the troops and naval force which have been brought into the country, the European population does not much exceed in amount that which it was in 1843, although some changes may have taken place in the relative population ot the British settlements fr.Hi persons having repaired from oDe settlement to another. And at Auckland has been, a-> the seat of government, the chief point of attraction, the population of that pld. c, exclusive of the n ilitary, may perhaps be stated at nearly 4,000 souls. In 1845 llie Euiopean population of the territory, which would form tiie proposed province of New Ulster, wis about 4,500 souls : the details are stated in the margin. But in point of fact, trom crcumstances connected with the position ot the ether se.t'erncnts, the only persons who would have any real share in the propjseJ cong itution would be the settlers in the neighbourhood of Auckland. 'ihe returns of native population published at the same time woulJ ijive, for the probaule native population inhabiting the proposed colony of New Ulster, about 100.000 souls ; the whole of whom would be excluded from all share whatever in the repiesentation of the country hy the proposed proviso in the mstructioiu, " that no peison should be capable of exercising the elective franchiue who cannot read and write the English language."* At the same time, under the present system of taxation, the large native population (which even if it has been over-estimated by Mr, Clarke at 100,000, and is taken at only 60,000, although I believe this latter supposition is below the true amount, still forms the vast majority of the population) contributes largely to the revenue, and each year, us they continue to advance in civilization, will contribute still more largely to it, so that the proportion paid by the European population, will form but a small part of the whole revenue. Then it must be borne in mind that the great m»jarity of the native population can read and write their own language fluently ; that they are a people quite equal in natural sense and ability to the mats ot the European population ;f that they are jealous and suspicious ; that they now own many vessels, hones, and cattle; that they have in some instances considerable sums of money at their disposal, and are altogether possessed of a great amount of wealth and property in the country, of the value of which they are fully aware ; that there is no nation in the world more sensitive upon the subject of money matters, or the disposal of their property ; and no people that I am acquainted with, less likely to sit down quietly under ' what they may regard as injustice. A great change has also recently taken place in their position, the mutual jealousies and animosities of the tribes have greatly disappeared, and a feeling of class J or race is rapidly springing up, and has been greatly fomented by the efforts which have been made by designing Europeans to obtain their lands from them for a merely nominal consideration. This feeling of nationality has been extended by many other causes. Some of their young chiefs of the highest birth, and of great personal ambition, have now received good educations ; the habit they have of acquired of letter writing, which is a favorite custom with them, affords chiefs inhabiting the most distant portions of the island the means of frequent and rapid communication with each other. The decay of their mutual jealousies has rendered it safe for the natives to travel into all porjions of the island, and some of them are in a constant state of movement ; so that their intercourse ADd power of, formjpg e^tejisiva, conspiracies, and of

executing combined and simultaneous moveu.entft upon different points is daily increasing. * •* * *

It is I think, doubtful, therefore, if it would be prudent to hazurd the attempt to force upon a nation bO circumstanced a form of government which would at the same time irritate their feelings, and, I think, insult their pride, and which, there can be no doubt, would separate them from the European 1 :, )>laiin? them in an inferior position as a race, and thus at once create this feeling of nationality, the cousi-quuice of which vvoul I, I fear be 60 hurtful. * # * *

I bee; further to point out, that although I entirely concur in the advisability of compelling the nHtivcs, as soon as possible, to learn to re-id and write the English language, and will omit no means wilhin my power of promoting theie benevolent intentions of your Lordship ; yet that I think that, with u view of promoting this object a necessary preliminary to giving such extensive powers over the funds raised by tho taxation of a large nalive population info the hands of the representatives of so small a British population, would be to require by law, that a certain sum should annually be devoted to the maintc nance of schools, for the instruction of tho native population in the English language, and that some exteusive system of national education should be introduced befoie the new constitution is brought into operai ion ; the permanency of which system should be secured by such a provision at 1 have above mentionedt The foregoing arguments hare been applied solely to the great native population throughout the country, and to the general revenue raised from duties of customs ; but they apply equally, perhaps even with more force, to the natives who would reside within the limits of boroughs, and who would be subjected to direct taxation in the form of assessments, &c. ; which I fear might often be collected in a manner highly offensive to them, and who would speedily become discontented and exasperated if they had no voice upon the subject. The same arguments apply also equally to the naturalized Germans, who are likely to become a very numerous and important portion pf the population, and who are at present contented and good citizens, whom. I should be very sorry to see excluded from any privileges accorded to the reit of Her Majesty's subjects ; whilst the inhabitants of the French colony at Akaroa, who Her Majesty's government have directed to be naturalized, will in like manner, be wholly excluded from any share in the management of their own affairs and will be placed in a position of inferiority in reference to the rest of Her Majesty's subjects, I think it light to mention to your Lordship, that even in the southern portion of this island I did not contemplate immediately bo extensive a change in the constitution of the colony. I thought that * council, in which the Governor presided, and which was com-< posed of official andun-official members, the un -official member* being elected by the inhabitants of the colony, would, viewing the peculiar circumstances of the colony of New -Zealand, particularly in reference to the native population, have been that form of government which, for the present, was best suited to the wants of the. people ; whilst Ido rot think it would have b?en» in any respect repugnant to their feelings. This form of government would also, so soon as the land questions have been adjusted, suit the circumstances of Auckland ; particularly if the Governor were empowered, from time to time, to name certain natives who should have the privilege of voting at the elections for the return of representatives. Whatever form of government it may, however, be determined ultimately to bestow upon the northern colony of Ntw Zealand, I beg to suggest that it would be desirable in the fist place that it should not be such, as to render it doubtful whether the large native population will submit to it ; and secondly, that so long as the Governor has so formidable and numerous a race to control, it is necessary not only that he should bava the power by his negative of preventing any measures being passed which might remit in rebellion, but that he also requires to be in possession of the active power of carrying such measures as are essential for the welfare and pacification of the native race. For youc Lordship will see that under the proposed constitution, any refusal of the Governor to comply with, perhaps f very impolitic demands oi the Lower Chamber may involve a stoppage of the machine of government, which will entail much evil not only upon those who return the representatives, but upon the large body of natives who will be wholly unrepresented. At present, the natives are quite satisfied with the form of government now existing, and as the chiefs have always ready accss to the Governor, and their representations are carefully heard and considered, they have practically a voice in the Government, and of this they are well aware ; but under the proposed constitution they would lose their power, and the Governor would lose his influence over them : in fact* the position of the two races would become wholly altered, and the Governor would, I fear, lose that power which I do not see how he can well dispense with in a country circumstanced as this. The natives are, at present, certainly not fitted to take a share in a representative form of government ; but each year they will become more fitted to do so f and each year the numerical difference batween the two races will become less striking ; go that a great advantage would be gained by delaying even for a few years the introduction of the proposed constitution into the northern parts of New Zealand. The concluding passage of the Despatch which your Lordship proposes to address to me, leaves to my owl discretion, the power of fixing the time at which I should promulgate the new charter, wiih, however, so distinct un intimation of Her Majesty's pleasure that no unneceisary delay should take place in my doing so, that I think it better to promulgate it with as little delay as possible, after its arrival in this country ; but that portion ot the instructions which relates to the introduction of representative , instittuions into the country, cannot, under any circumstances, be carried into effect for nearly 12 months from this date, upon account of the numerous preparatory steps, which, in the terms of the instructions, must first be taken. And as I am apprehensive that any a'tempt to introduce snch a form of government, as that proposed, into this portion of the colony, would shortly give rise to renewed rebellion, I shall, und.-r all circumstances, deem, it my duty to refrain from giving effect, mthe northern portion of New Zealand, to that portion of the proposed instructions, until I receive your Lordship's reply to thii Despatch. In the meantime, however, all the other portions of my instructions shall be carried out as rapidly as possible, and no care nor exettions upon my part shall be wanting to render them as beneficial to the inhabitants of tbu country as your Lordship desires them to be. Whilst the delay in the introduction of representative institutions for a few months, will at all tevent* so strengthen the position of the Br tish in this country, that if Her Majesty's Government should, with the information contained in this Despatch before them, still deem the introduction of the new constitution into the province of New Ulster indispensable, less probability will e\ist injuiy to British interests, resulting from any^dtscontent upon the part of the natives. All my ow.n experience in this country leads me, however, earnestly to

request your Lordship to advise Her Majesty for th. present to revoke that portion of the charter winch contemplates the introduction of the proposed form of representative institutions into the province of New Ulster. I have, &c, (Signed) G. Grey. The Right Hon. Earl Grey, &c. &c. Sec. « [ do not know one native who can read and write the EngHhh lnnguage. f Out of 67 natives who hnve been employe^ »v tne Ordnance Department, 66 can write then o«n language, and the whole of iliem can read it.

[Confidential.] No. 23. Extract of a Bwatch from Gorernor Grey to Earl Griv. Government House. Auckland, May l'J, 1847. * # * • I think that perhaps until this country is a little more settled down, your Lordship's views with regard to the government of it, might bi« fully met, if it were as proposed, divided into two colonies, with Fiich a general executive Government, and executive Government for each colony, as is now piovided for in the recent Charter and Instructions ; whilst for the present the legislative body of each colony ihould consist of one chamber, compoied of the Governor, and official and unofficial membeis, the latter of whom might in the Southern iolony be at on<e elected by the people. The General Assembly might than, in tike manner, consist of one Chnmber, composed of all the members of the legislative council of each colony, and its meetings, mode of proceedings, &c, might all be conducted in the manner which is proposed, # If your Lordship should, under the disturbed circumstances of the colony, think proper to Bend out modified instructions to this, or some similar purport, they would yet reach ire in sufficient time. 1 feel very great diffidence in making such suggestiom to" your Lordship, but, at the present moment, the great mass of the native population is on our side, as the factof their seizing the murdererß at Wanganui snd giving them up to justice, fully shews, and 1 think that if no'hing occurs now to alarm the nativei, that after two or three more years of peace and tranquillity, the colony may be regarded as safe, and the lives and peopertifis of the settlers would be in a state of complete security ; whilst upon the other hand, J cannot but view with the greatest alarm ahd anxietj the possibility of the frequent and extended recur, rence of such scene* as that which recently took plac at Wanganui, . Until your Lordship's further instructions react me, I will proceed, as rapidly as is practicable, witt ths adjustment of all those di<ficulties which havt arisen from the penny an acre proclamation, and fron the extended grants of land. I will also introduce, ir the mobt conciliatory manner, all those portions of th< new form of government, which confer real and lasting advantaeei apon this country of the most undoubtec and obvious kind, such as the division of the colony &c, &c. ; so that even in the event ot your Lordship determining upon the immediate and complete intro duction of the whole of the proposed new form of con stitution, every preparation in my power shall be mad< for such a measure, and it is certain that, after •< many difficulties have been removed, the country wil be in a much better state for such an experiment thai it is at present. I have, See, (Signed) G. Gbet? The Right Hon. Earl Grey, &c. &c. &c.