ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 712, 9 February 1853, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the New-Zealander. Sir, — I entirely concur in your observation that your publication of the 26 ult. is onq of great interest to the people and province of New Ulster; and in your drawing attention at tlje present time to the facts which the Government returns establish, and which are of the greatest importance in proving the superiority of New Ulster in the political scale of New Zealand colonies and its consequent claim to distinct and primary attention. Looking at these returns as most people do

, merely as matter of figures, we shall still see a I superior claim to colonial estimation ; by comparing its resources with those of several other colonies, a few of which I subjoin, as returned to the British parliament some time back, you will perceive New Zealand is placed further back than others. Since that time we know there has been a very great increase in our part. But this is not the only conclusion to be drawn from those returns. They are of far deeper inter st as evidencing the rapid march onward of tbe native people towards that social condition which it is the anxious desire and the glory of the British nation to perfect ; and to which end the policy and energy of the European population of tills province liave very srreatly contributed. It is greatly owing I say to the desire not only of the early settlers, but to the people generally of this province, to treat the natives, as a people of equal rights, privileges, and intelligence, that this great,- end of the British government has been thus far so ably carried out. And it is now evident by these returns of the local trade of Auckland that the aboriginal people have passed from a state of barbarism and defiance, (when every man’s weapon was in his hand,) to a state of social peace and security not surpassed in any country and by some colonies not yet obtained in any comparative degree. From right direction of these circumstances they have become industrious agriculturalists, shrewd merchants, and skilful mariners. Since then we have run thus far well, in total opposition to the policy of the southern settlements. Since a great portion of the southern settlements are without native population. Since this Province contains about 150,000 people of inseparable interest, the native portion now carrying a large influence in its political affairs. Since both our population and commercial traffic exceed that of all the others put together. And since we have always maintained ourselves as a separate colony, why are we now to he classed and linked in as a one-sixth of the Company’s settlements. How will Governor Grey like to see that Government which has been brought under his auspices to a surpassing superiority over all the other settlements sink down to a comparison of one-fifth of the bankrupt Company’s settlements ? Why not remain os it always has done, and as its importance demands —a one and independent colony ? If the ConstitutioA obtained by the late Company’s agents, with the view of gaining to themselves a security by creating a permanent national debt on the landed capital of this province must he proclaimed by the Governor, surely the people are not compelled to accept without appeal, seeing they had no representative on its discussion. Therefore let us strenuously reject the constitution, debts, and every protended advantage, by refusing to proceed to the election of President or any new Council. The present Council is sufficient for all needful purposes, and if anew one was formed there would not perhaps he a single member changed. The present LieutenantGovernor has the good will of the people ; long may he continue. I believe there never was before such a thing as a tax on capital. Here we have 20 per cent, tax on our landed capital for debts we never contracted, and 1 think wo ought indignantly to spurn any pretended privileges which carry as a consequence so debasing a conclusion as would make our persons and property the slaves to any speculative schemers. —Yours, Ac.,

Return of Revenue and Expenditure of Colonies not having control thereof.

Year. Name of Place. Quarterly Revenue. Cost of Collection. Expenditure. 1849 Cape of Good Hope £233,554 £4 0,086 £259,201 “ Ceylon 408,525 17,853 414,715 a Gibraltar 29,764 3,508 30,563 “ Malta 126,389 5,062 114,195 u St, Helena 15,921 2,057 23,867 it South Australia .. 166,606 7,23." 149,334 it Western Australia 10,129 1,409 11,259 a Van D. Land 152,706 10,538 165,861 1848 Port Natal 11,760 994 10,248 44 New Zealand .... 110,965 3,973 108,881 1850 Trinidad 88,140 6,333 78,971 44 Siena Leone ,. •. 17,167 1,378 22,069 *i St. Lucia 12,807 not slated 11,607 it Mauritius 308,312 22,323 265,206 ti Labuan. 1,372 aot stated 6,751 it Hongkong 23,527 163 34,549 it Gambia 7,485 929 11,147 ii Falkland Isles.... 1,441 100 6,084