MR. GLADSTONE'S DESPATCH. (From the Government Gazette, October 23, 1846.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 141, 5 December 1846, Page 3

MR. GLADSTONE'S DESPATCH. (From the Government Gazette, October 23, 1846.]

No. 12. Extract* from a Despatch from the Secretary of State, dated Downing-street, March 18, 1846. Sir, — I have received Capt. Fitzßoy's Despatches of the numbers and dates specified in the margin, relating to the Peace, Finance, and the general state of New Zealand, as well as to the question of the Land Claims — and trans* mitting also the proceedings of the Executive Council for the half* year ending the 90th of June, 1845. lam now in communication with the New Zealand Company upon the subject of the future form of the Institution! of the Colony «b well as on the questions more immedi-

ately relating to the interests of that body. But I shall of course conduct those communications in such a manner as in no degree to prejudge the important questions of the former class now pending for consideration, in regard to which I look with great anxiety for the receipt of your Reports in due time. In the mean time I cannot saythat with my present information I lean to the idea which the Company has heretofore been disposed to favour, of placing in its hands the general responsibilities of government, either with respect to the whole Colony, or to a portion of it. I have as yet learned nothing to convince me that either commercial interest or public spiritwould enable such a body to surmount the difficulties which Her Majesty's Government have found so serious in the administration of the affairs of this distant dependency of the Ctown. I incline to think that the Company, invested with such powers, would, if well advised, make a delegation of them as complete as possible to local persons or bodies, and I do not know why such delegation, if it be wise, may not as well and as soon be made by a department of the Queen's Government acting under habitual responsibility, while, as to the residue of controlling authority which it may be requisite to i etain within the limits of this country, although I think its exercise may be no easy task tor the immediate servants of the Queen, I doubt whether itwould be found when it had been formally intrusted to the New Zealand Company either le9s difficult or less invidious. ♦ ••••• With respect to the establishment of Representative Institutions in the Colony, Her Majesty's Government regard it with so much desire, that I should appioach with very favourable predisposition any plan which should promise to organise them on an efficient footing. For as relates to the government of the British settlers, which I have already taken occasion broadly to separate from the regulations of our relations with the native race, although it may be attended with much difficulty, even when placed on that basis, I cannot perceive that it is the only basis on which it is in any manner to be hoped that full justice cant be done to the capabilities of the colony, and that the work of well rearing it in its earliest stages, arduous to persons on the spot, becomes, if. the springs of action are to be moved from this distance absolutely impracticable. A large confidence in a well chosen head of the Executive Government is the best and safest rule which can be applied to the proceedings of this department in reference to New Zealand, and in the Island a similar confidence should be reposed by that Government in the colonists, and a regular and constitutional resort should be had to their aid, in the mode of which, as to their substance this country affords a pattern available with just modifications, for such colonies as New Zealand. In my Despatch of the 31st January, I alluded to the division of political functions between principal and central bodies, but there is a further addition to which I may now advert, not as of certain advantage, but as probably deserving consideration. If a regular trade should be likely to arise within a short period betwe en Auckland and Cook's Strait, the obstacle win eh their, distance offers to unity of Government, may be mitigated or overcome. Even if we have no such remedy in prospect, I can conceive it possible that arrangements may be made, which by intrusting much to municipalities, and leaving less than is usual to v a General or Central Legislature, m«y at once put out of view the alternative which I am about to name. Yet, upon considering how, few of the conditions either of physical or moral unity between the Northern and Southern settlements can be said at present to subsist, 1 cannot exclude the supposition that it may possibly be found expedient to resort to a division of the Colony, which should give one tolerably complete organisation to the Northern part ot the Northern Island, with Auckland for us Capital; and should make Cook's Strait the centre of another, attaching to it the Southern Districts of the Northern Island, or any portion of them, and probably the whole of the Middle Inland. If such an arrangement should be found advisable, I consider it most likely that Hfr Majesty's Government would also find reason to conclude that the two Bodies of Colonial Institutions thus established (Jught not to be absolutely co-ordinate and independent one of the' other, but that there should be at least an Executive attached to one of them, which should be, in some sense, the head of the other; while the mother country would of course retain its position in relation to both. Simplicity is a great advantage in the institution of any, and especially of a small community; still it is often found that complexity of structure, if the parts be well adjusted, affords the best security for ease in operation," and therefore is the best entitled to the praise of real simplicity. At this distance, writing at a time when j.ossibly your mind may alreadj' have arrived at a mature judgment on the question to which I refer, ana I must also add, haying these subjects before me in a confused mass, without any'such clue to the regular connectionand cleat apprehension of them as I trust your reports will afford, it is less injurious to leareyou in suspense, by avoiding the communication (if definite conclusions, than to run the risk of embarrassing or obstructing you by their premature announcement. On this ground you will readily account for the indeterminate and simply suggestive character of this Despatch. It will afford me sincere gratification if I should hereafter find that your own thoughts, guided by experience, have taken a direction so far corresponding with that of mine as to afford me the assurance that this communication may, at the least, have tended in no degree to aggravate the difficulties of the office with which yoa are charged. I have the honor to be, Sir, i Yonr obedient humble servant, ! (Signed) W. E. Gladstone. To G. Grey, Esq., Governor, &c.