ENGLISH EXTRACTS. (From the Watchman, May 3.)

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 242, 23 September 1848, Page 3

ENGLISH EXTRACTS. (From the Watchman, May 3.)

In the Abstract of thp Society's Report which will be found in our columns, their a«e various points of more then common importance, in relation to France, Switzerland, and other portions of the Mission field. Perhaps, however, the most important is that which refers toNewZealandand the correspondence between the General Committee and Her M.'jesty'g Government respecting the interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi, of 1840, by which, wkile the Natives ceded to the British Crown the sovereignty of New Zealand, it was clearly understood by them, and by the Church and Wesleyan Misiionaries who were instrumental in bringing about the compact, that the full right of property in the entire soil of the country was secured to them. Subiequent despatches and " Instructions," however, having appeared to infringe upon this right, and much evil to the Mission cause being likely to follow from the alarm and dissatisfaction excited amongst the Natives, the Committee, acting on the representation unanimously made by their Missionaries in New .Zealand, addressed a^Memorial on the subject to Earl Griy, as Colonial Secretary. Mr. Heald, who had seen this document, described it as one of the most " statesman-like and masterly" papers that had ever been laid betnrethe Government. Having also seen it, We can add our testimony as to its excellency, and its admirable adaptation to the end for which it was drawn up. It embodied a faithful narrative of the circumstances under weich the Treaty of Waitangi was executed ; a lucid exposition of the real character of that Tieaty, ai it was understood by those most competent to judge ; and on able enforcement of the ughteous' claim of the aboriginal inhabitants, as guaranteed by its provisions. The answer from the Colonial Office is truly gratifying : — a <opiout extract from it will be found in our pages. It includes not merely Earl Grey's testimony to " the importance of the Document, hii»l the character of the body from which he has received it," and to " the meritorious and successful exertions ' of the Weslejan Miasionaiies in " reclaiming New Zealand from Heathenism, and disseminating amongst us people the principles of Civil as well as Religious Instiuction," but also— what i>>more immediately to the point— the assurance that the Government '• intend, and have always intended, to recognise the Treaty of Waitangi." and that "they recognise it, as Lord Grey believes, in the same sense tohich Vic Memorialists themselves attach to it." We anticipate from this Correspondence good effects on the minds of the Natives. It will afford them an additional evidence that, if there are in England sordid and selfish speculators who would defraud them of their lands,— aye, and peihup* exterminate their race,— there are >lso in EngUud Christian philanthropists who disinterestedly and vigilantly care for both their temporal and their spiritual interests. — We congratulate our respected friend Dr. Beecham on the benefit which tb*t Memorial ha 3 conferred on one of the noblest and most improvable races of uncivilized humanity. We havi> heaid him called, and justly called, a '• Fiiend of Africa ;" we m^y add be is, indeed, a " Friend of the Maoiies;" —to New Zealand as well as to Africa, he hrts ben one of God's instruments for good, not only in this instance, and in bis oilier moie directly official services, as a Missionary Secretary but also in his evidence before Parliament, and in his well-known woik on Colonization, especially as relating to New Zealand.