New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, December 4, 1850.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 557, 4 December 1850, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, December 4, 1850.

The article which we have reprinted in our present number from the Times, on Sir W. Molesworth's proposed amendments on the Australian Bill, is so complete and convincing an answer to the demands of those persons in this settlement who are clamouring for what they are pleased to call "real liberty," — that is, the uncontrolled liberty of managing the affairs of the colony without any intervention or check on the part of the Governor or the Imperial Government, as to leave little more to be said on the subject. But when these persons call upon the settlers to join with them in refusing to accept Sir George Grey's liberal measure, in the hope of obtaining larger powers of self government from the British Parliament than those which he has offered ; when, like the dog in the fable, they are ready to lose the substance in the vain at- • tempt to catch at the shadow which deludes them, and with which they are trying to I delude others, it may not be amiss to advert to some of the considerations arising out of ' the article referred to. In the first place, the article may be taken as a pretty fair I index of the state of public opinion on this question in England, for it will hardly be disputed that on most public questions the opinions expressed in the leading journal of Europe are those of the majority in the mother- country. The number of those who voted for Sir W. Molesworth's amendment is another significant test of these expectations ; out of upwards of six hundred and fifty members who compose the House of Commons, Sir William could only muster forty- two votes, plainly intimating that the House is indisposed to entertain favorably such proposals. Anothercircumstancewhich has been apparent in the discussions on the Australian Bill is the general feeling which seems to prevail at home that it is better to have the details of these measures settled in the colonies, and adapted by those who possess the necessary local knowledge to the peculiar circumstances of the country, The failure of the previous attempts at making Constitutions for New Zealand by the Colonial Minister would naturally indispose him against repeating the experiment, and furnishes another strong reason for believing that any measure, to be successful, must emanate from this country. We think that

the above considerations warrant the belief that the settlers will obtain a larger measure of self-government by co-operating with Sir George Grey, than they will receive through an appeal to Parliament or the Home Government ; and we may treat as chimerical the expectations of those who suppose that such powers will be granted as will render them virtually independent of the mother country. As long as colonies remain dependencies of the empire they must expect that the supreme power will •* retain " a check on their legislation" and exercise a control over their affairs, for it would be absurd to deny this right and at the same time to require to be protected from foreign enemies, that internal tranquillity should be maintained, and the cost of government in part defrayed, by the mother country. In fact, the sort of opposition raised to the Bill justifies the belief very generally entertained, that its opposers are afraid of it as being too liberal for them ; that how.ever desirous they may be.of making use of the working classes they do not wish to see them participate to so great a degree in the rights and privileges of self government ; the extension of the franchise and the absence of- any higher qualification for representatives, though they dare not openly avow it, are so many reasons powerfully operating in impelling them to act as they do, since if these concessions were made their occupation would be gone, and they themselves would sink into insignificance ; no pretext for agitation, however shallow, would be left them.

St. Andrew's Day was duly celebrated on Saturday last with the customary observances by "the chiels frae the North." In the evening a large party sat down to an excellent dinner at Mr. D. Munn's Royal Hotel. Among the numerous good things under which the table literally groaned was' to be seen in all his majesty the Haggis, 'king o' the pudding race,' and other national dishes, which gave abundant evidence of mine host's ability in promoting the enjoyment of his guests. The usual loyal and national toasts were duly honoured, and the festivities in remembrance of ' Auld Langsyne' were prolonged to a late hour.

A new Schooner came in on Saturday from Taranaki. She was built forß. Waitt Esq. by Mr. Falconer at Massacre Bay Nelson ; and is a very creditable specimen of his skill in ship building. She is very substantially put together, and constructed on an excellent model, and is calculated to measure between 70 and 80 tons register. She is to be called the Wellington, and will be chiefly engaged in the trade of this port.

The Salopian arrived yesterday from Port Cooper. The Schooner Eliza was at Port Cooper/and intended to come on, in a few days, to Wellington.

Programme of the performance of the Band of the 65th Regt., at Thorndon Flat, on Wednesday, December 4 :—: — 1. Overture — Haydee . . .' Auber 2. Cavatina — Forse unDestino — Pa- ~[ /j ont >,//,- risina J 3. Charles the Second Quadrilles .... Jullien 4. Selection— L'Etoile de Seville .... Balfe 5. Lucrezia Valse Jullien 6. Troop Coolien St event on 7. Coquette Polka D' Albert.