New Zealand spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, September 30, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 331, 30 September 1848, Page 2

New Zealand spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, September 30, 1848.

One of the best proofs of our capacity for the enjoyment of more liberal institutions, is a due appreciation of the amount of liberty which we at present possess ; just as in the acquisition of any science, or in the pursuit of any study, we are capable of attaining a greater degree of knowledge when we have thoroughly mastered the previous steps. So much has been said lately, of the absolute form of our Government, of the despotism under which the colonists of New Zealand are living, that we are led to inquire whether these be indeed sober realities, whether we are in danger of becoming "hereditary bondsmen," or whether these expressions are only excursive flights of the imagination, faint echoes of the chains and slavery of Conciliation Hall. If we compare our condition with the neighbouring Australian Colonies we shall find, that with the exception of Sydney, which, within the last few years has had representative institutions conferred upon it, we are all very much upon an equality, these colonies being under a Governor and Legislative Council, composed of official members and non- official members nominated by the Crown. And even Sydney, in the opinion of some practical men has not greatly benefited by the change ; as, to give only one instance of the effect of this change, the expense of maintaining the roads of the colony in repair, which was previously borne by the Government at the annual cost of £200,000, is now defrayed by local taxation, and as a consequence these roads in many instances are hardly passable. South Australia, by Act of Parliament, will enjoy Representative Institutions when the population of the colony amounts to 50,000,

a consummation to which the increasing 1 prosperity of that colony is fast tending. Bat to return to our own case. We enjoy the freedom of person and property to as. ( great a degree as in our Fatherland,, and ' all those rights which the common law of England confers on British subjects, and this freedom and these rights could not exist under a despotic and absolute form of Government. But we shall be told that the GoTernor's will is law, and that the Ordinances are merely emanations of his will. But the Governor can pass no law repugnant to the spirit of the laws of England, and we have a powerful check, in the jealous care, in the watchful anxiety exhibited by the members of all parties in the House of Commons, in any legislation connected with New Zealand, and in all measures relating to its internal organization. We enjoy the freedom of opinion and the Liberty of the Press to the same extent as exists in England, at least whatever interference has been attempted or exercised has not been on the part of the Government, and whenever any measures have been adopted by the Local Government injurious or opposed to their interests, the colonists have always freely exercised the right of remonstrating by petition either to the Governor, the Queen, or to both Houses of Parliament, and their petitions have always been received with attention. But^ further, we have an additional guarantee that the true interests of the Colony, and of those inhabiting it will be effectually promoted (the consummation to be arrived at in all good government, whether representative or otherwise) in the responsibilities imposed on Captain Grey. His justly acquired, his daily increasing reputation, is a pledge to the colonists that he will consult their best interests in the measures of his government,*** since any failure would detract from his reputation. The world judges by results, and supposes success to be the effect of wisely concerted measures ; and therefore, for his own sake, as well as ours, Captam Grey .will be solicitous to maintain, by the increasing prosperity of the Colony, the confidence reposed in his ability and discretion. We have no desire to underrate the importance of representative institutions, or to wish for any unnecessary delay in their introduction ; but it is well to consider whether, enjoying our present amount of liberty, it is not better to proceed cautiously, step by step, in each advance that we make, than to fail from inconsiderate haste. As the experienced architect, before he commences the building which is destined to last for centuries, first counts the cost, considers well the plan, which he arranges with a due regard to prospective accommodation, as well as present convenience, and takes care that the materials be well seasoned, that the parts befitly framed together and the works proceed with that deliberation which shall ensure their future stability; so we, in constructing the social edifice, may find it eventually more to our advantage to complain even of the slowness of its progress, than, by urging" its completion with too great ardour, find it fail like the baseless fabric of a vision, and leave us to mourn over the consequences of our precipitation.

We understand that the Raymond has been withdrawn, and the Cornelia will positively sail for England from this Port having been chartered by P. M. Hervey, Es<£ %The Cornelia will commence loading for England immediately on her return from Auckland, for which port she sails this day.

We are authorised to state that the office of Principal Agent of the New Zealand Company, vacant by the lamented death of Colonel Wakefield, will for the present be filled by Mr. Fox, who holds an appointment made by the late Principal Agent, and confirmed by the Court of Directors with a view to such a contingency* No delay will therefore arise in carrying out the arrangements between the settlers and the Company, to which Colonel Wakefield had given his assent previous to his death.

By a notice in last Thursday's Gazette, we find the Governor-in-Chief has directed the postage on newspapers in this colony to be abolished. As we have ( frequently taken occasion to urge the justice and expediency of doing away with this r tax, we are very glad to be able to make this announcement, and to express our acknowledgements to his Excellency for this alterations -"