ENGLISH EXTRACTS. COLONIZATION. (From a Correspondent of the Times.)

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 249, 18 October 1848, Page 3

ENGLISH EXTRACTS. COLONIZATION. (From a Correspondent of the Times.)

So much has of lute years been talked about " systematic colonization," and so lutle has been done towards reading the idea which people in general form of it, that the British public have gradually come to acquiesce in the conviction that no sueu t thing it now possible as what that term now represents ; that it is, in fact, only a theme for orators and pamphleteers ; and that statesmen and legislators soon discorer its un-übstantial and unmeaning nature. Such, it mu»t be confessed, is the most prevalent notion which the mention of this subject suggests ; but there are many among the mot distinguiihed of our countrymen, both in station and ability, who adhere very earnestly to the opposite view, who not only think that the charocter of British colonization as carried on is eminently discreditable to this country, but who, moreover, aie fully convinced that the evils which they attribute to it are in great part removable, and who are prepared to take an active part in assisting to remove them. The result of these feelings and convictions has been a determination on the part of a body of gentlemen who entertain them, to form an association for the purpose of founding, if possible, at least one settlement where the experiment of systematic colonization may be fairly tried ; in the expectation that, if it suaceeded, the example sec by it will be extensively imitated throughout the empire. But, further, this " systematic colonization," even in the mouth of some of its most distinguished advocates, has been too much regarded in a merely material and economical view, and with especial reference to an important theory concerning the appropriation of colonial land. And these are weighty considerations, but not the most weighty. The primary element of a true system of colonization consist* in the transference to the new country of the institutions established in the old, and the consequent formation of a society exhibiting, so (ar us local diversity will admit, the same classes, the same habits, the same rights, the same duties as those which form the essence of the original nationality. In the British colonies nothing approaching to this can be said to be the case; in all essential features their populations are more American than British in chnrtcter ; So that if we wish to carry out the idea of making the colonies "an integral part of the empire," something must be done quite different from what we are now in the habit of doing ; care must be taken in this country to provide for those wants of man's higher nature which experience shows that he is incapable or unwilling duly to provide for hiutkelf when be goes to a colony. At least, regu'ations must be enforced, which will ensure the co. operation of all in doing those things which every good colonist would wish to bee done, but which the isolated tfiorts of individuals are unable to do. Upon this idea the plan of colonization which the gentlemen before mentioned have adopted it founded. Perceiving that one of the greatest impediments to good colonization consists in the mixed and unsatisfactory character of colonial society, they intend to assume and exercise

desirous to emigrate to their settlements, 10 a» to secure, as far as possible, to the young community a healthy moral atmosphere. Bclievinir that the most important and beneficial of all the institutions of this country is the Established Church, they intend to require from every purchaser of land in their settlement a contribution to ecclesiastical purposes, and (as the only effectual mode of securing the blessings of religious and educational unity) they have determined that no person -hall emigrate under their auipices who shall not be a bon&fide member of the English Church. Believing, further, that education is imperfect, if not valueless, when disconnected from religion, they require a farther contribution from land purchasers for the purpose of rcligiom education. la order to secu'e a constant supply of efficient labourers for their settlement, a iurther contribution will be required from land purchasers for promoting immigration. Lnstly, a contribution will be required for repaying the sums which inuvtbe expended in surveys, road*, and bridges, temporal y buildings, and other prepaiatory arrangements which the experience of former colonies has shown to be indispensable to the welfare of the first settlers. But among these are included churches, sufficient in number tor the reception of the first bodies of emigrants ; a provision of which the necessity cannot similarly be taid to be deduced from former colonial experience, as it has beet) too genemlly neglected, but which is clearly essential, according to the principles which have been laid down. The churches may be at fiwt of an imperfect and temporary description ; but so will be the other buildings which will have to be provided against the arrival of the first settlers. The important poiut is this, that the spiritual provision will proceed concurrently and analogously with the temporal establishments. Something also will be needed for defraying \he small but necessary expenses of the association in England. These various contribute ns will render the price of the land nominally high ; but, as they will be applied with careful economy to the purposes abovemsntioned, it is manifest that they will constitute an investment which even in a pecuniary point of view will be profitable, because it will serve to increase indefinitely the attractiveness of the settlement, and which will ensure, besides, tile enjoyment of moral and snciul advantages which are, in fact, beyond price. Without the appliances and means of civilisation Und is valueless to the civil zed man ; without a certain provision for religion and education the gentry of England, who a p e religious and educated men, cannot be expected to colonise ; without due preparation being made in the new country before the first colonists arrive, they find themselves only to bs a forlorn hope, upon whos^ wasted capital and blasted hopes the foundation of future prosperity for others may perhaps be laid ; but who themselves will only buy experience tX the expense of ruin. Such are the evils which the association has had in view in forming iti plan of colonization •and they confidently hope that by a careful application of the means now devised, even if nothing further were done, thone cvi's may be in a very gr^at measure avoided. It is, indeed, probabie that in the opinions of many persons of ie fleet ion and .sound judgment much more than this is requisite for a real reform of our colonial system ; much relating to the organic structure of colonial society, and still more with reference to the frame and the course of colonial government. But it will not be denied that such points as the*e are beyond the scope of the operations of fcuch an association as the present. The as<oci»tion, as it is now formed, bas no power to do more than to plant a particular settlement within the limits and subject to the constitution of an existing dependency, nod this condition determines the extent oi the peculiar advantages which can therein be a tsined. Without, therefore, rntering upon, still less questioning, the alleged imperfections of our general colonial system, and the remedies for them which ate at the command of an authority superiot to their own, and not venturing at present to con* sider whethtr the promoters of this design may at any future time hope to be armed with more adequate powers for the complete lealizution of their object than th. y now possess,— 'the association still are confident that a great and permanent good may be accomplished by the scheme of which the outline has betti presented. Men of all ranks will, they doubt not, be found to take a part in the work ot colonization ; the mott valuable and influential of our institutions will be transferred and pei petuated, and those careful arrangements will be nude in the colony foi the reception and distribution of the emigrants, from the want of which so many of our Uter colonies have so lamentably suffered. As the »ite of their projected settlement the association have fixed upon New Zealand, as possessing the best soil und climate, combined with the greatest amount of available and unoccupied land of all the British colonies. Having obtained the sanction and co-opera ion of her Majesty's Government, and of the New Zealand Company, wbo have been made trustees for the disposal of Crown lands in that country, it is about to despatch in a few weeks an agent who will be empowered to select and puicbasea district suited to the purposes of the settlement, and immediately to commence the necessary preparations for receiving the colonists. As the due performance of this operation will necessarily require a considerable period of time, the first body of bottlers will not leave the country until next year, after intelligence shall have been received that the agent has obtained posse sion of the land from the representative of Government, and has actually commenced his work of preparation. ' In the meantime the business of the association will be to diffuse information on the subject, to invite public support, and to collect a body of intending colonists, who may be ready to sail when the pecessary communication from the agent in the colony shall have been received.