THE NEW ZEALAND COMPANY, [From the Morning Chronicle, May 30.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 130, 28 October 1846, Page 2

THE NEW ZEALAND COMPANY, [From the Morning Chronicle, May 30.]

The annual general court of proprietors of the Zealand Company took place yester-

day, (May 29) at their house in New Broadstreet, for the election of directors and the transaction of general business. Amongst the directors and proprietors present we observed Henry A. Aglionby, Esq., M.P., S. Marjoribanks, Esq., M.P., Viscount Couttenay, M.P., Charles Buller, Esq., M.P., R. D. Mangles, Esq., M.P., John Abel Smith, Esq., M.P., Lord Ingestre, M.P., Alderman. I Thompson, M.P., General Briggs, George Frederick Young, Esq., Captain Alexander Nairne, W. Hutt, Esq., M.P., Alexander Currie, Esq., Dr. Bowring, M.P., J. Pilcher, Esq., George Lyall, Esq. The room was densely crowded, and Viscount Ingestre, M.P., was called to the chair. The noble Chairman said that he would not trespass upon the time of the meeting' by expressing his own opinions upon the important business which was to come under their consideration, as what he thought would be better said in the report which was about to be read to them. He would only say, on his own behalf and on that of the directors, that they felt an unabated interest in the welfare and prosperity of the magnificent colony of New Zealand, which, if properly supported, was destined to fill a most important place in the future interests of the empire (cheers). The Secretary then read the report, which stated in substance that the directors had lost no time, after Mr. Gladstone became colonial minister, in urging the grievous state of New Zealand upon his attention, and the necessity of prompt interference, but the efforts made for months past to obtain a decision of the most important questions had hitherto been in vain. The postponement till a report should be received from Governor Fitzroy's successor was an indefinite postponement, which would appear from the difficulties which Governor Grey would have to contend with in consequence of the errors of his predecessor. These errors had caused the natives to despise white men, and the Governor's announcement now that he would maintain the Queen's authority would be likely to lead to serious consequences. The firmness of Governor Grey had come at 100 late a period, and even if he were successful, a spirit of desperation and revenge would be engendered which would sow the seeds of endless war. The Government ought to substitute a totally different policy. The colonisation of the island had been stopped. The operations of the colonists had in a great measure been put a stop to. Property, in the usual sense of the word, they had none. They -were in the deepest-despair, and thought they could not preserve even their existence much longer. They were subjected to ordinances of the most absurd character by the government at Auckland. The effect was that the best colonists had left or were about to leave the island. The returned colonists afflicted them with complaints of disappointment and ruin, and unless a great change took place very shortly, the colony would not be worth preserving (hear, hear). In fact, it was in a state of perfect anarchy. Since Mr. Gladstone's accession to office they had constantly been expecting some announcement of a new and definite line of policy. They (the directors) were assured that Sir Robert Peel wa» precluded from giving effect to his declaration of last year by the act 3 and 4 Vie. c. 62, therefore some new act of Parliament was desirable. They still, however, relied upon the experience of Mr. Gladstone and the declarations of Sir Robert Peel ; but they feared that notwithstanding all that was represented, the close of the session without legislation was highly probable (hear, hear.) Henry Aglionbt, Esq., M.P., said that under ordinary circumstances he would have refrained from addressing them at all, but the very important and painful suggestions in the report rendered him anxious to say a few words upon their present position (hear, hear). Upon that day's discussion depended their future action. In the report presented, the directors had offered the only alternative that appeared practicable, but as there Was "still a possibility of bringing Parliament to interfere, to that faint hope they clung, and till that was dissipated they would not abandon their post, nor fail honorably to fulfil their engagements (loud cheers.) If the House of Commons refused to interpose, they, as honest men, must abandon their enterprise, as by pursuing any other course they would be injuring the colonists who had been induced to emigrate, relying upon their promises, and burdening themselves with debts which they would in vain seek for the means of paying. He saw around him men of the highest character and station and influence, and could it be thought possible that they had any objects in view but th« public good (cheers) ? He did not believe that any person would accuse them of small or base motives (cheers). They engaged in this concern because it would be conducive to the public interests — a source of great commercial wealth to the country — and beneficial, to a still greater degree, to the population of New Zealand (cheers). In their effort! to carry out the high and beneficial objects they contemplated, they had been unhappily

thwarted. During the early part of their career their proceedings had no publicity, but of late years all their transactions were known to them, every act, every step, and the motives for its adoption, was as well known to them as to themselves (hear, hear). He would not allude to any of the transactions which had involved the Company and the settlers in so many disputes. It was unnecessary, as there was one pervading circumstance which was the foundation of the whole, and that was, that they were not able to obtain a title to their, land (hear, hear). They could not accuse themselves for that. The title offered by the Government was a mockery of justice (hear, hear). The honourable gentleman proceeded to comment upon the composition and character of the court of land claims in the colony. He represented it as extremely objectionable and defective, and adduced, in proof, that they had sat for nearly two ytars without making a single decision (hear, hear). With such a fact before their eyes, they could not be surprised at the failure of the commissioners' court (hear, hear, hear). The statements which they had received and published upon that subject were then thought to be coloured, but they had since found them to be not so strongly stated as the facts warranted. He proved that assertion by a reference to documents and evidence from the colony. They expected, under Lord John Russell's administratiou, an unconditional grant to their land. They did not, however, get that, but fully expected from his successor a conditional grant; out from the time Governor titzroy arrived, day after day and year after year passed away, and it turned out that nothing of what they expected could they obtain, but at length they were offered a conditional grant that was valueless. The Company had obtained their lands by fair and just means ; but, said the Government, if you take possession of the lands and cultivate them yourselves the grant shall be void. The effect of the conditions with which the offer ofatitle was accompanied would be to render it a perfect nullity (hear, hear). It was remarkable that in the only case in "which an award was made in their favour, Governor Fitzroy set it aside. He had made these few remarks to show the difficulties they had had to contend with. He would now advert to the efforts they had made to obtain redress. He had been in personal communication with Mr. Secretary Gladstone, and was satisfied with his good intentions and wish to do right, but he was bound to say that that did not l'elieve them or the distress of the colonists. What was required in an emergency like the present^was energy and action. For v/ithout these qualities they would be ruined (hear, hear). There was no necessity to abstain from doing any thing till accounts should be received from Governor Grey. There were some evils of which they complained which might be remedied without going to the islands at all. He meant that there should be a representative system of good government by the settlers themselves (cheers). That was a question which ought immediately and without delay to be settled in this country (hear, hear). It would be for them to decide that day whether they would place in the hands of the directors the power of abandoning their enterprise, if their hopes during the present session of Parliament should fail. They had advocated the public interest and good government, and the best interests of the settlers in New Zealand, and he had always felt the warmest interest in the success of the colony (cheers). Even if they should fail now, which he trusted would not be the case, he had no doubt but that after years would do them justice (cheers). Still praying for the success of the colony, and that the good cause would prosper, and that they would have all they desired, he thanked them for the patience and kindness with which they had heard him, and for the cordial support they had hitherto afforded to himself and brother directors (loud cheers). Mr. Charles Buller said he had been requested by his brother directors, from the active part he had taken in Parliament, in discharge of the duties with which they did him the honour to entrust him, to come forward and offer a few remarks upon the present occasion on the important report which they had thought it right to lay before the meeting. He could not do so on that, the first opportunity which he had of meeting them since the meeting of September, without offering his thanks to them for the kindness they were then pleased to show him, and for the vote by which they marked their appreciation of the labours .he had gone through (hear, hear). He cerfainly did hope at that period that the -struggle of the New Zealand Company with an adverse Government had come to a triumphant and satisfactory end. He relied upon the influence of discussion, and the effect wrought upon public opinion as sufficient secure to them, without further trouble or doubt, the great object for which they had been contending. It seemed to be then admitted that they had disclosed a tale of mismanagement not on their part, but on the part of succes •ive Governments, which had been the sol

cause of the difficulties of a once prosperous and thriving settlement. He did believe that there was but one course open to the Government of this country, namely, to make reparation for the wrong they had done to them and to the settlers they had carried out to New Zealand, and that they would not allow a moment of unnecessary delay to intervene between an acknowledged evil and an equally acknowledged remedy (hear, hear). Nothing could be more satisfactory than the assurances which, after many debates, they had received from the head of the Government. Nothing could be more satisfactory, in their opinion, than the guarantees which were then given to them, that her Majesty's Government was prepared to proceed immediately to act upon those promises. He confessed it was with deep mortification and pain he agreed in the unanimous decision of the council to present to the meeting the melancholy report which it had been their duty to lay before them that day ; but he had done so with the most perfect confidence that the course which they recommended, however painful and mortifying to themselves, was the only course that, as meu of honour and common sagacity, they could recommend to them for their adoption. It was discouraging enough last year to have to battle against the force of a strong Government. It was discouraging to have to get over all the prejudices that existed in a portion of the public mind against them. It was discouraging to have to contend against the opposition of a very powerful and active interest ; but they did not allow themselves to be discouraged by that, they relied upon the efficacy of argument and truth, and upon the candour of their countrymen. They brought the matter before Parliament, they faced Government and those whose insidious opposition was at the bottom of the bad policy that was adopted: and though, of course, their triumph was not recorded by a vote, yet it was recorded by what was far more satisfactory, namely, by the declared intention of the government to alter its policy towards them There was something to animate them in that contest. They knew the force opposed to them, and they knew the force they had to rely upon [hear, hear]. But he confessed that now there was little to encourage them ; for having gained every triumph that truth and candour could afford them, having it admitted that they were right, and that the remedy they required was the proper one, yet they still found they could produce no effect save in altering_the intentions of the government, that they could produce no vivid or vital effect in action. He (Mr. C. Buller) quite agreed in the terms in which the report had spoken of the consideration which Mr. Gladstone had given to this subject, and of the good opinions and intentions which he had expressed, but they wanted something more than good opinions and good intentions. What they wanted were acts [hear] — acts which it was in the power of the government to do — acts, without doing which, all their good opinions and wise intentions were of no effect whatever. And then when they came before him, and pressed this matter upon him, when they asked for instant and prompt action as the only mode of putting an end to evils of which the extent and enormity were admitted, they were told that her Majesty's government could do nothing — that Parliament could do nothing to relieve them until they received the report of Governor Grey [hear]. He wished that those who made this answer were aware of the state in which those colonies must be until a satisfactory decision was given. Every hour of that delay — every moment of that consideration would be fraught with evil, mischief, and despair to thousands of their countrymen. What were the accounts they received from New Zealand ! The latest intelligence from the colony would inform them that disappointment had succeeded the revival of hope; when theyfound thatthe promises of the Government were not followed byperformances; and that whatever opinions were expressed in high quarters, the policy of the colonial government was not altered, and that it was still hostile and prejudicial to the settlers. It was not by equivocal symptoms that the decay of this once flourishing colony was exhibited. It was by the most disastrous of all circumstances, namely, the desertion of the colony by some of its best and most valuable settlers. And could they expect anything else ? Could they expect that long ill-usage, the thwarting of every hope, the trampling upon every right they enjoyed, could be gone on with and continued without producing the most fatal despondency amongst the colonists ? Were men to bear it for ever? Were they to be for ever hanging in suspense in the hall of the Colo-nial-office, or on the persons to whom they delegate their authority out there (hear, hear). There was a term even to the energy which their countrymen in New Zealand had displayed. Every vessel that arrive from the colony brought home some of thote settlers who had ceased to continue a hopeless struggle, and who thought it better to save what little property and hope they had left by leaving a scene in which they had sacrificed, sp much,

If the government could see the mischief that had been done to the interests of those whose settlement in their colony should be most encouraged by 9 wise and paternal government, he did think the aspect of the ruin they were causing would urge them to the decision that would alone arrest its progress. With regard to the position of the humble colonists who went out as labourers, some got temporary employment, and others found means of getting employment in other colonies ; but what was the fate of those men who had embarked their property in purchasing and cultivating those lands to which all title was withheld from them, and which they now saw in the possession of savages ? Was there any man in the whole community who should excite more the sympathy of every patriotic Englishman than the man of intelligence and capital, who, carrying them out to a new community, had endeavoured to make a civilised home out of what was a Wilderness? And yet it Was on those individuals the weight of mis-government had fallen; They had seen their title to the Und withheld — they had to dance attendance in the office of some upstart official in the colony (hear, hear) — and after their hopes were excited, they were doomed to see those hopes subjected to utter disappointment (hear, hear, hear). He (Mr. C. Buller) had said there was hardly a ship that came from the colony without bringing some of this valuable class of settlers. He saw with great regret — it was a pleasure to see him amongst them again — but he viewed with regret the cause that had brought him there — he saw present at that meeting Mr. Halswell, who was one of the first settlers in the colony (hear, hear). He went out there with the legitimate hope, which every Englishman might fairly indulge, that in a British colony he should find safety and security for his capital. He invested his capital in the colony, and what was more — the hopes of life, and his expectations of happiness and usefulness (hear, hear). He (Mr. C. Buller) believed he might say that one of the main objects which induced him to go out there was the interest he fe't in the natives of New Zealand. To improve them and their condition was one of the main objects that induced him to expatriate himself (hear, hear), If he had been allowed to go on in the honourable employment in which the Company had placed him, he would have found that employment an ample compensation for the advantages he had left at home ; and it was a deplorable thing that a man like his friend Mr. "Halswell should, by the raisgovernraent of the governor, be driven home, and obliged to abandon the country in which he had sought to establish himself for the rest of his life. He saw another gentleman whose situation filled him even with deeper grief and resentment, if he might use the phrase, at the conduct by which their hopes had been thwarted. What did they think of the case of the intended colonists at home ? He saw a gentleman before him, by whose exertions was established the project of founding in New Zealand an establishment in connection with the free church of Scotland (hear, hear). A number of artizans and labourers were prepared to go out under his auspices, a number of shopkeepers, and persons in that situation of life, and farmers of intelligence and capital were prepared to quit their country, hoping that they might find a more welcome field for their exertions in New Zealand. It was three years since that project was first undertaken, and it was started under the auspices of that religious body to which this gentleman belonged, with the most cheering hopes of success — and what had happened during those thret years ? The intended colonists abandoned the positions which they occupied in this country — many of them at a considerable sacrifice, for such things can never be done without a sacrifice — had abandoned the occupations in which they were engaged ; they intended to make New Zealand their home, and they hoped that there by honest industry, they would repair the losses to which they had subjected themselves. What had been the fate of those men, to whom the Government should have given every encouragement in their honest and useful course ? Their whole proceed ngs had been stopped by the conduct of the Government, and they had not been able to go out of this country for two simple reasons ; first, they had no guarantee for any land when they went there; and, secondly, they had no guarantee for any institution under which freemen could live. He should confess, when he thought of what those i men had gone through, he wondered that even their stout hearts were not broken under the conflict — that there was yet hope and energy in them, and, until that hope was cast away, not to abandon the intention they had formed (hear, hear.) What was it they wanted? Was it anything unreasonable they were contending for? They wanted a title to the property they had purchased, and which everybody acknowledged they had fairly purchased. They wanted institutions under which Englishmen could be expected to live. Need he now go into the histary of New 2Jea-

land, and all the caprices and follies of its government, from the first officials of ths Government down to the lowest constable, to show them that the despotism of New Zealand was as stupid as it was revolting to the feelings of the people (hear) ? He asked the admirers of despotic governments to see what had been done by granting absolute authority to the government of New Zealand. Let any person who formed the worst possible opinion of the intelligence of the English people, and of their fitness to govern themselves, look to the acts of the government of New Zealand, and see what successive governments and their councils had done, and let him then say, did he believe there was a single one of the Company's settlements in which there were not at least a score of men of intelligence and property, who would not have committed one of the blunders that this government had committed (hear, hear) 1 This was a grave question, not concerning New Zealand alone, but every colony of this empire. He wanted to know why Englishmen, when they left the United Kingdom for a colony, were, in addition to every other disadvantage of leaving home, to be exposed to the additional one of being subject to a despotic government. Was the Englishman who left his home, not to plant himself in a foreign country, but in another portion of the empire, to be regarded as an enemy to his country 1 and was he to lose all the privileges of an Englishman ? The people of England had been entrusted with the great privilege of having a voice in their own affairs, and by having that privilege entrusted to them, they had become the most civilized, happy, and powerful people on the face of the earth ; and did they, he asked, forfeit any of their rights by extending their country's empire into the islands of the distant ocean. The idea was not to be borne ; it was but the result of modern innovation springing from the convict colonies, revolting to the feelings of Englishmen, and to that wisdom of their ancestors which was never so well displayed as in the way in which they went about founding their colonies (hear, hear). Did they ask for any thing new, or democratic, or republican, or anything that savoured of revolutionary innovation? No, they merely asked the Government of this day to do for Englishmen in the nineteenth century what James 1., and Charles 1., and James 11. had done for Englishmen in their day — namely, that when Englishmen quitted their country to go to another portion of the empire, they should carry with them the rights of self-taxation and of self-government. He claimed that right, not for New Zealand, but for their other colonies. Their colonies could never go on well, and they never could expect them to be happy and prosperous, until they returned to the sound practice of their ancestors, and enabled every free and intelligent man, qualified by property and intelligence, to have a vote in those matters which affected all members of the community (hear, hear.) One service had been done by those who, during the present century, had the power of carrying the opposite theory into effect. He believed a greater caricature of their system could not be set up than was set up in almost every colony (hear, hear). Let them look to the class of men who were generally sent out as governors. There were captains of men-of-war, who were not selected for the office of governors because they were the fittest to command men-of-war (laughter) ; they were selected, probably, because the, Government did not choose to entrust men-of-war to them (laughter). They were old generals and colonels who had passed their service (hear), or perhaps gentlemen who would now take another class of governors — gentlemen who had tried to make their way in Parliament, but had not succeeded, because they were incapable (hear, hear), and yet these were the kind of people who were invested with the title of " Excellency," and sent out to a colony to have every person bowing and scraping before him. Why it was enough to turn the head of the best man. Every man knew that his property depended on the nod of the Governor, and must there not, thereforei be that kind of servility exhibited which it shocked every person to witness ? Then they gave the Governor the benefit of a council ; but what kind of persons were entrusted with the Government of New Zealand ? He did not wish to speak of them disrespectfully as individuals ; but take their previous lives and standing in society in this country, and what kind of position would they occupy in this country that they should be sent out to make laws for 10,000 of their fellow-countrymen in New Zealand (hear, hear) ? They had some good samples of the description of persons who got into office in the colonies. He had lately seen in an Auckland newspaper a correspondence of a most extraordinary nature, between an ex-official of Government, Mr. Fitzgerald, and Captain Fitaroy — a correspondence which did seem to him (Mr. C. Buller) as discreditable a correspondence as he had ever seen in any public paper — a cor-, respondence in which this Mr, Fitzgerald,

-who was turned out of office, delibeiately charged the Government with every manner of falsehood and secret misdealing — and wound up the letter with a statement which gave an insight into his own character, — namely, with an intimation to the Governor that the letter was ar. present secret, but that he would publish it, except the' Governor complied with his demands (hear). He (Mr. C. Buller) had no opinion of Capt. Fitzroy's wisdom. There were many of his acts which were totally indefensible, tut God forbid he should bring forward against him the evidence of one who blasted his own character by the confession that he was actuated by the most paltry and revolting motives (hear, hear). He did not bring it forward for such a purpose, but he brought it forward to show w,hat kind of men were entrusted with power in the colonies. Wha.t were the functions of Mr. Fitzgerald ? He was one of the land commissioners, to whose integrity it was left to decide upon the property of every European in New Zealand (hear, hear). They need not distrust the people in their colonies, or doubt that those persons who were fit for freedom in this country were fit for freedom in the colonies. If they gave them the same institutions as they enjoyed in this country, and under which the old colonies had grown into importance, they could not doubt that they would prove themselves worthy of the confidence they reposed in them. That was the first great object to press upon the Government. The second was a total alteration of their relations with the natives, and the total abandonment of the foolish course in which the Governor had embarked. It was not without some mortification they were obliged to admit that their views as to the treatment of the natives or the policy to be pursued towards them was materially altered (hear, hear). When British authority was first established in New Zealand, they certainly did approve of the policy of colonizing the island general y, an 1 they thought that, by a wise treatment of the natives, the most perfect harmony would be established between them and the Europeans. They had the amplest experience to support the wisdom of their conclusion, for when they were enabled to follow their own system towards the natives, and to live with them without the interference of the Government, the happiest relations were established, and continued unimpaired, until when ? — until the Governor came amongst them to disturb their friendly proceedings (hear, hear). It was the Governor, and the Governor alone, who had produced that sanguinary war in the north of New Zealand, which was now made the means of resisting improvement in that island. No man could charge it upon them. No error could be imputed to them that was alleged to be the cause of the dissaffection of the natives in the north to British authority. It was the scene where the Missionaries and their system had full scope, it was the spot where the treaty of Waitangi was effected, and where Captain Fitzroy took whatever course he chose. And ■what was the effect of that ? A war had grown up, which, unless it was checked or stopped in some way, would put a stop to the colonization of New Zealand altogether. They had the misfortune to deal with those prophets, who where the most dangerous ; namely,' those who are able to verify their own predictions that they would not be able to establish friendly relations with the natives. He admitted the failure of their experiment for maintaining friendly relations between the natives and the settlers. It was a fact — a melancholy but still an undeniable fact. And ■what was the course of proceeding it imposed upon them? That they must abandon the idea of colonizing the north of New Zealand (hear).. They would have to leave the natives in possession of the district in which ithey abound, and in which they would not al3ow the Europeans to come into peaceable -contact with them. They should confine themselves to their own settlements, and keep the natives and Europeans, as far as possible, from contact with each other. The plan they (the Company) proposed was — a plan which they believed was the best suited to the present circumstances of New Zealand that could be devised. Their object was that fife institutions should be at once given to the great body of the British settlers in New Zealand. As an objection was made to a general representative Government being given at once to the whole colony, they agreed to adopt a suggestion of Sir Robert Peel, and proposed, in accordance with that suggestion, that what he called a municipal Government should be given to the various districts in which European settlers were established. But they did not mean municipal Government in the, limited sense in which some persons understood i\. They did not mean that there should be merely given to the people of Wellington andNel<son the power of taxing themselves for, making roads or to light thejr streets. They found Sir Robert Peel pointing to the example of the institution of self- government estabished in the North American colonies, now

the United States (hear, hear). They recollected that in these colonies from the moment of their formation the people had the power of making laws for themselves, and oi imposing burdens. They had the power of making the laws, under which they lived, and that was the kind of municipal institution that they expected to be established in New Zealand. They had adopted another suggestion, and instead of proposing one general representative Government, they proposed that the council should have a representative character by being composed of persons elected by those municipal bodies. And to secure to all the great benefit of self-government, they proposed that all natives being w'.thin the districts should have all the rights of British subjects ; that the natives who possessed property within those districts should have the right to vote, and have all the privileges, and be subject to all the duties of the colonists. With regard to the great mass of the natives living in a portion of the island in which hardly any Europeans were established, they proposed a plan which they would find developed in the report of the committee. That plan was, that it should be formed into what was called the outside territory, and within that territory they should abandon the idea of endeavouring to establish English laws. They would not seek to subject those natives to laws for which their state of civilization rendered them unfit. They proposed to discourage European settlements in those districts, and thus to prevent collisions between the native and white man. They proposed to protect the white man from the native ; and, what was more to be apprehended, to prevent the systematic oppression of the ignorant native by the white man. It was plain that it was for the interest of huma,nity to adopt this course ; and whoever felt an interest for the fate of the aboriginal tribes should hail this as a proposition for the realization of his views (hear, hear). What was now the course of the Government 1 They were doing what could only have one end, namely, the utter extermination of the weaker race. After all the professions which were made, that the great object of their settlement in New Zealand was to prevent the wars amongst the tribes, what were the Government doing, but relying upon the hostile feelings of those people towards each other, — fomenting their evil passions and employing one portion of them to cut the throats of another (hear, hear). But if they gave up the task of planting the colony where the natives now were, the rest of New Zealand would be wide enough for them. Their settlements would be established far away from the natives, and the Government would be able to give free institutions to their own settlers, without attempting to impose their laws on the great mass of the natives. Those were the objects they had pressed upon the Government, and they said that unless something vras done at once, they would go on until all remedy either for the white man or the native was perfectly hopeless (hear, hear). As his friend the chairman had said, it was nothing between them but a question of time ; but in these matters as in many others, time was of all importance. The question now was, whether the Government should, during the present session, bring forward such measures as would ensure the restoration of tranquillity and the prosperity of New Zealand. If the laws which were necessary for the purpose were noE passed in the present session — if the present state of New Zealand and the present despondence must continue lor another year — if that were the answer which, after all their promises the Parliament and Government of the country had to give them, the only course left for them was to say to the Government — "on such conditions as these we will not continue to carry on the colonization of New Zealand, we will throw the responsibility entirely on you, and quit the field of action from which your injustice and your impolicy have driven us" (hear). The answer that had been made them was, that they had been too eager in pressing for an Act of Parliament — that what was necessary might be done without such interference. They were told that instructions were already sent out to effect the object they had in view, and by which municipal institutions would be established by the authority of the Governor and Council. Why how was that to satisfy any man who was conversant with what had passed in New Zealand 1 Were they still to leave them dependant upon the wisdom and justice of the Governor ? When they talked of free institutions and self-government one thing was implied in the term, namely, that freedom and self-government should be independent. But if the authority that was to create their municipal institutions was to continue to exist, and to have the power to revoke them the instant they thwarted the wishes of the Government, what was to prevent the Colonial Office from withdrawing the instructions to the Governor, or thq Governor from disregarding the instructions as. he had done before, and the settlers would be left again without any protection under the dcs-

potic authority of the Government. If this j change were to be made, a change which he thought every sound thinking man in Parliament and in the country would say, ought to be made. — let it be done openly, boldly, permanently, and legally ; let them get the authority of an Act of the united Parliament ; to establish the institutions by which New Zealand was to be governed (hear, hear). If they would allow him he would impress upon them once again that this was not merely a New Zealand question (hear,, hear). The struggle they were making for New Zealand was a colonial struggle (hear). It ought to be regarded by the public as a struggle for the benefit of all the colonies. One thing was necessary, and that they should haye — a reform of the system by which their colonies were governed. It was for that object, as much as for the interest of New Zealand, that he thought it necessary that the company should take its stand on the present occasion. He thought they would be wise in doing so, as they must carry with them the sympathy of the whole colonial public. They had done some service already. The resistance they made last session had shown the Government that a colonial question could be made interesting to the public, and that justice even to the colonies could be forced upon the Government. If one colony was injured or neglected, its case might be brought forward by one or two persons in a newspaper, if they could get any newspaper to attend to them. It might be brought forward in Parliament, if they could get any person to condescend to take notice of them ; but when one colonial case was brought forward, no other colony took part in it, and that happened which had happened the other day when Mr. Ewart brought forward in the House of Commons the case of mismanagement in Van Diemen's Land, which was one of the grossest cases of mismanagement that ever was exhibited. What was the result? Mr. Ewart was not ten minutes on his legs when a patriotic member moved ihe house should be counted. There were only twentyseven persons in it. The house was counted out, and they thus disposed of a question affecting the welfare of that colony (hear, hear). Why, he asked, did the colonies allow that state of things to continue ? Why did they not unite together to have their voice heard (hear, hear) ? The New Zealand Company had set them the example, and it would be easy for them to follow it up with rery great I effect, if they only united together. After all, they had one common bond of union, though there were different mailers of detail, which might specially interest different colonies. What one colony might think to be wrong another might think to be right, and they might disagree on matters of detail ; but there was one point on which all the colonial interest would unite together, and must unite together, and that was in vindicating for the colonies the right of self-government in their own inte: nal affairs. The West Indians, the Canadians, the persons interested in the Cape, or the persons interested in Australia, all suffered under the present colonial mismanagement of this country. They all suffered from it ; but when the colonies had grievances to complain of they had no effective means of redress. They could not appeal to the people of the colonies themselves, but they had to go cap-in-hand to the Secretary in Downingstreet, where they would be subject to the caprice of every official in his office ; and, if they were driven to appeal, they appealed to Parliament, in which there were but a very few persons who felt the slightest interest in the matter. It was their want of union and determination that caused that state of things, and it never would be rectified until all those who had an interest in the colonies of this country should determine to unite for one great common object — to relieve the colonies from the despotic government to which they were subject. He cared not what mode they adopted for this purpose, or what species of j organization they adopted, but he would say that the colonies and their friends in the country should be organized for this one common object — to put an end to the common misgoyernment which affected every portion of the colonies of the empiie, and which every year was the subject of loud and general complaint (hear, hear) ; and what was more, if such an organization were established — if the voice of the colonies were heard, and the influence of the colonies brought to bear on this great and legitimate subject, its success would be certain ; and he would say that never in a better cause did man appeal to the sympathies of all just and wise-thinking men (cheers). Mr. Clarke, a proprietor, described the serious loss which a dissolution of the Company without compensation would have upon him, and- stated' that when-he paid down his money he understood that he would have a^ clear title to his land in the colony. He put four queries to the chairman, the principal ; one having reference to the * position in- which a j dissentient to the propositions- before the meet-ing-would be placed^

Dr. Bowring, M. P., said that unless they were endowed with thespirit of prophecy they could not answer these questions. 'The report'itself was the best evidence oftb'egrdat attention the directors had paid to the "concerns of the Company. He had'lohg been impressed that more power should 'be delegated to the directors, if the colony was to 'be saved. They ought long ago to'have been invested with the powers they asked'from the Government. He despaired of parliamentary interference, as that which was remote «nd distant obtained little attention from the imperial legislature. He had had some experience upon this subject, and had known that often the wrongs of thousands and tens of thousands were unattended to from that cause. He cordially concurred in the' propriety of throwing the whole weight of responsibility upon the board, and rejoiced at its resolution that unless something was done, and that promptly, the whole responsibility would be thrown upon the Government (hear, hear). He had no doubt but that whatever might be the disposition of Government the piiblic would save them from loss,, and would -see them compensated for the just rights of which they had been deprived by the interference of Government. All that they required was fair and clear justice (hear, hear). He had trusted the directors for the past, and he was prepared to trust them for the future. He moved the adoption of the report.

The Chairman (Mr. Aglionby, in the absence of Lord Ingestre, who had retired) said in reference to the enquiries of Mr. Clarke, that they were all in the same boat, the same interest was involved, and from that circumstance he hoped that they would not be pressed for details then which might involve them in unnecessary difficulties. In reference to dissentients, by their charter of incorpoiation the views of the majority would bind the Company, but dissentients —if there were any — might depend upon it that they would not relax their efforts for one moment to obtain for them full and ample justice. Not a single effort would be left untried for that purpose (cheers). Mr. Watson and other proprietors expressed great confidence in the directors, and an earnest hope that the report should be unanimously adopted. General Briggs addressed the meeting at some length. The gallant general deprecated the carrying on a war with the natives, as the country surrounding our colonies was one of the most difficult that could be pointed oui for carrying on the operations of civilized warfare. He thought that we should never be able to conquer the island without exterminating the natives. He described the benefit which India received from local and municipal institutions, and strongly urged that the settlers shou'd enjoy the benefit of similar institutions. He saw no objection to cairying into effect the treaty of Waitangi, but tliose who signed it did not represent the whole people of the country, and it ought to be confined in its operations to the individuals who made it. After remarking upon the interpretation of the treaty, he commented upon the importance of ihe object of the Company, which was to relieve the country of a surplus population, which was rapidly increasing, and would soon force upon the Government the adoption of a systematic plan of emigration (hear, hear). Mr. Joseph, a resident for five years in New Zealand, expressed his confidence in the directors, and his intention to return to the colony if the government would comply with their demands. He thought that from the distance of Auckland, the seat of government, from some of the settlements, and the difficulty and expense of travelling, &c, that a representative government in the present state of the island was not desirable: He knew a gentleman who had been appointed to the council, but the distance was too great for him to attend. He thought that there should be two distinct governments, one for the northern part of the island', separated' by Cook's Strait, and another for the southern district. He had no fear of the natives being exterminated by the firmness of Government. The fact was that if they found that Government was determined to protect the settlers they would at once succumb. There was little fear of the natives getting the better of the white population of the island (hear). The report was then adopted unanimously. Some routine business was gone through, after which due acknowledgment wasipaid to the; chairman, and the court was dissolved.