New Zealand Colonist. TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1843.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 83, 16 May 1843, Page 2

New Zealand Colonist. TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1843.

The recent .attempts of the natives to prevent the occupation of land which has been allotted to the settlers, and even to stop the cultivation of that which has been long occupied, exhibit, in a striking point of view, the injudicious character of the policy of the government with regard to the land question. And as no difference of any importance has ever arisen between the Natives and the Settlers upon this point, the only probable source of disunion and hostility between the two races, has been created by the acts of the Government. It could hardly fail to strike the most unobservant spectator, that the very principle upon which the English Government proceeded in laying down rules for the adjustment of this question was erroneous, inasmuch as it applied to a wild and unsettled country, and to a people who possessed scarcely the rudiments of civilization, the same regulations which have been s after the lapse of many centuries of progressive development, been settled in the most civilized states. They began by giving to the natives of New Zealand a proprietary right and the whole soil of these islands. Not content with securing the enjoyment of the land which they had reduced into possession, they made the i ude and unlettered New Zealanders lords of the immense tracts of wilderness which compose nearly the whole of this island. From them these districts must be purchased. If they refuse to. consent to their occupation by the settlers, these districts must still remain a desert, useless not to the natives merely, but to the whole human race. Or if, as is probable, the government should be startled by the practical absurdity of such a result, and should determine to open the country to colonists; this cannot be accomplished without a violation

of the principle which has been laid down as the foundation of their proceedings, and exposing themselves to the charge of inconsistency, if not of injustice. And so reluctant are individuals to expose themselves to such a charge, that we anticipate much difficulty in bring about the needful change. There is, however, nothing of novelty in the principle which we would lay down as the rule

of conduct in this matter. Almost every writer upon international law has stated clearly that view which approves itself at once to the com- , mon sense of mankind, and of which the justice is the more appreciated in proportion as the question is studied in all its bearings. It is—that as the only right to land—as to every other species of property, independently of positive law—is founded in labor, only that land should be recognized as belonging to uncivilized tribes npon which they have bestowed labour by reclaiming and cultivating it. To this they have an undoubted and indefeasible right. No government, by any legal proceedings, or by any proceedings short of force could interfere with their possession. And as, in all uncivilized communities, the quantity so possessed bears only a very small proportion to the whole land of the country, no government would hear a motive for any interference. In a very few instances, the land thus occupied might be found necessary for the purposes of the community ; but in such cases it would be easy to grant so liberal a compensation as to obtain from the occupants a prompt and cheerful relinquishment of their possession. Under such a system, the settlement of the country might proceed with rapidity, without in the slightest degree trenching upon the rights, or disturbing the possession, of the natives. When, however, by the establishment of a prosperous and augmenting settlement, a value has been conferred upon land which it never previously possessed, and when at the same time new notions of property have been taught the natives, we may see how cupidity, operating upon imperfect knowledge, may lead to claims of the most extravagant nature, and how, in order to enforce their claims, or if that be impossible, to preserve a title to the land, acts of violence may be resorted to, which can hardly end otherwise than in a collision between the races. For this we imagine there is only one cause, the principle laid down by the Government.

We have not space to pursue the subject further at present, but we shall return to it at greater length in our next paper.

Errata. —ln our report of the proceedings of the Town Council, in our paper of Friday last, an important error was committed in the last paragraph but one, stating that the rate for the ensuing year be fixed at three halfpence per cent, on the valuation of the borough, on 110,000/., instead of “ 1-|” per cent. L'Rhin. In another part of our paper we publish the address of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesges of the Borough of Wellington, presented to Mons. Le Commandant Berard and officers of this ship on her arrival in Port Nicholson. The'flattering and complimentary reception they have received is honourable to the body from which it emulates, and expressive of the good feeling entertained towards the French nation by this settlement, and to our French neighbours at Akaroa. Several persons during Sunday and yesterday visited L'Rhin, and have been received with that attention and politeness natural to the French, and no doubt those who have not done so already will avail themselves of the opportunity of inspecting a French Man-of-war, and we are sure they will be highly gratified with their visit.

On Saturday last the inhabitants of Wellington were all on the qui vive in consequence of the landing of the Commandant of the French corvette L'Rhin, and his officers.

In due time, the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses were introduced to Monsieur Le Commandant, in the Town Hall —accompanied by the Magistrates of the district, and a large assemblage of the most respectable inhabitants. The Mayor then read the following address in English, which was rendered in French, by Mr. Alderman Fitzherbert:— “ The - Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of Wellington, in their Town Hall assembled, in name of the whole British settlers, beg to offer their congratulations on the arrival of Monsieur B6rard, Le Commandant, and the officers of the first French man-of-war, who have honoured this, the commercial capital, the most populous, and one of the earliest settlements, of New Zealand, by their presence. “ Enough cannot be said to express our sentiments of profound regard, and the happiness which we feel, in welcoming and addressing the representatives of one of the most highly civilized, most chivalrous, brave, and second to none, of the nations of the earth. “ For ever be silenced and buried that horrible heresy, that the French and English have separate interests. Mankind call upon them for union. France and England, must ever

hereafter respect and esteem each other—united they may not only secure the permanent peace of Europe, but that of the whole world. , “We miistnow, alas! with heartfelt,sympathy, condole with that great and good monarch; the King of the French, on the late frightful and deplorable calamity in his family. The Duke of Orleans has been followed, to his final mortal resting place ; mourned by the deepest regrets of England and her Colonies. May the Almighty Disposer of events in his mercy, impart heavenly consolation to the bereaved, though exalted family —let them look upwards, they will be united in a blissful immortality. “ Monsieur Le Commandant B6rard, the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of Wellington, request the honor of your company, with as many of your officers, as the duty of the Frigate will permit, at a Municipal dinner on Wednesday next, the 17th inst. at 6 o’clock, in Barrett's Hotel. “ In name and in behalf of the Aldermen, Burgesses, and Settlers of Wellington, New Zealand, “ HUNTER, Mayor.”