To the Editor of The New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, 14th dec,1848

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 352, 16 December 1848, Page 3

To the Editor of The New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, 14th dec,lB4B

*ur f *>-Ajt the presetit state of -the political «fhirtctf this division of ihe^ colony, seemi ; tp frvrtfl

attained a very peculiar crisis, and one upon the favourable or unfavourable turn of which the prosperity or otherwise of our settlement may, for many years depend, and as it further appears to me, an almost silent, though not uninterested spectator of passing events, that the people have it in a great measure in their own power by what they now do to advance or mar their future interests, I would beg, through the medium of your Journal, to offer a few remarks on subjects to which my fellow-colonists would do well to give their most careful consideration, as affecting their best interests, and not allow themselves to beJed away by factious or violent men, who have their own interests and not the public good at heart, as evidenced in the late attempt made by them to deter all respectable settlers from accepting a seat in the nominee council. Without entering into the merits of the cumbrous constitution, framed in the best spirit by Lord Grey (for it seems to be the^general opinion that such a one, in place of doing good, or answering the end for which it was proposed, would in reality be likely to do much evil, and therefore, that we are better without it, — or discussing the question of the advantages of a modified constitution (coupled as it would be with a withdrawal of the Parlia5 mentary grant at present ..allied to the construction of roads, &c, &c), asfd which it is the opinion of maMfr that the colony iii general is not yfet prepared to receive ;' let us look at things as they are,', and the good or bad effects that may be produced by our trying to make the best of them, instead of trying to thwart and embarrass the present form of Government, i which it i 3 certain' we ; niust" now submit to for some time. To affirm that ithe present form of governraent has no supporters, that all are opposed to it, would be manifestly untrue, as it is well known that even in this district there is a large number of thinking and moderate men who have a deep stake in the country, and who would prefer leaving their affairs for some time longer entirely in the hands of those directly responsible to .the British government for their proper management, rather than have any share in their administration under an ill planned constitution, i- which, instead of benefiting the colony, might lead to nothing but confusion and disaster, and the destruction of its most important interests. And shall we now,- after all that has been done — after these islands have been rescued from the disorder and bankruptcy and insecurity of <Jife ; and property which prevailed, and, placed in, the prosperous and peaceful state they now dre,— shall we bow attempt to oppose and "embarrass the government by a useless, factious, and, mischievous opposition, led by a few men who seem to consult their own private feelings and motives gather than the welfare of the public? ''Or shall we look to our own true interests, and- aid in every thing that is likely to advance the'colony, instead of spending our time in unprofitable wrangling and bitter contention. Members of some kind must be found for the contemplated council, and if thfrjeading merchants and-peragns^vhi* h«v.e ihe- greatest stake in the settlement will not accept of seats, how can they complain if others less fitted to discharge their duties are chosen, and into whose hands they themselves will have let the power pass which should have been exercised by them? Although a nominee council is a most objectionable form of government to be carried on for any considerable length of time, still, under all the peculiar circumstances of this colony, much good may be done by Innest and intelligent non-official membeis, if they do their duty uprightly and honorably, they must exercise a very great check and control over the acts of the local Government, whilst at the same time they might as soon as practicable, and when they had studied the subject, attentively frame in conjunction with their brother colonists a feasible plan of some form of Government based upon representative institutions adapted to the circumstances of New Zealand, or at least of the Southern province, and which they might urge earnestly and steadily Upon (he British Government, supported by petitions signed by all the adult population of the respective settlements, arid which, if the mode of carrying it on here, clearly pointed out and approved of, could not but be successful. ; This, I submit, would he a much more prudent and temperate course to adopt, and more likely to further our cause in the end, than violent and ill-timed opposition, and would show the Home Government that we were moderate men fitted to govern ourselves, and that whilst we accepted.in good spirit for a short time the form of government now imposed on us, that we did not lose sight of our right as British subjects to participate iii governing ourselves, but merely consented that the exercise of it should^be delayed until institutions could be framed adapted to the necessities of the different parts of these islands, and which would not be likely to endanger the peace or prosperity of our adopted country. In stating this, I believe lam only uttering the sentiments of by far the largest and piost respectable pbrtion of the European population of this, district, and of men who would unite for the general good. Can it be possible that our leading merchants and others who have property in this colony, will submit any longer to the guidance of a few persons, and allow themselves to be held in leading strings, and sacrifice their best interests to the will of a few demagogues?. Have they no longer the power of judging for themselves ? . Why do they not i accept seats in the Council, and show the Government, that although they do not approve of . the continuance of the present system, they are still determined to avail themselves of what is >nd\v offered, *s the most probable, if not certain i, means of obtaining a more desirable form of . government? And depend, upon it, if they are united, they can do much good, and effectually prevent any .objectionable. measures from being introduced, w.hich, if once passed, it might be a -long time before we could get rid of. It is but j -right also that our fellow-colonists should know 'that the chief reason why thei, heretofore selfconstituted leaders of the. people refused the •segts .which were offered was,, ith&t they were '"pledged to the people. However, it, is said they promised nqi. to oppose the Council,. which. is th§ reason why they did not appear publicly at •the; meeting .the other i night. * Xow, if , such a j was given, did? it. not say our of disho- j

nesty that they should have been the chief instigators in getting up the meeting, at least through the instrumentality of their satellites? Why did not that worthy son of Esculapius, who was waveriug for two days whether he would accept the offered seat or not, come forward at the meeting, and not remain in the background? Does not that look as if there was some double game being played? I am, Sir, 1 Your obedient servant, An Enemy to Intimidation.