To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 567, 8 January 1851, Page 2

To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator.

. V e,lin ß ton . 7th January, 1851. Tjr 'laving in the recent numbers of the Wellington Independent read some seemingly plausible remarks, both from the editors and a correspondent of that paper, in which Democratic principles in general, and Chartist principles in particular are contrasted with Sir George Grey’s proposed bill, with the evident design of prejudicing the settlers against that measure of the Governor-in-Chief, I request you to insert my humble attempt to set the subject, as I believe, clearly and fairly before the public. What is termed the People's Charter, however equitable it might be in Britain, would be ruinous to the^ white settlers if made the foundation of the New Zealand Constitution. For instance, Universal Suffrage would give thenatives at least power equal to our own to send the men tney thought would study native interests into the Legislative Council. Another principle of the Charter—that of dividing the country into electoral districts according to the number of population, would, except in the large, towns, throw the power 01 controlling the elections wholly into the hands of the natives. ie rea di n g and writing qualification which one Independent writer suggests would, thanks to the labours of the much vilified missionaries, give the natives great electoral power in the choice of Members of Council. If we tax the natives without granting them representatives they, on Democratic principles, are virtually slaves, though nominally free British subjects. If we dare not trust them with the suffrage hen some other mode must be devised to represent their interests in the Legislative Counro- jQßfineeisni would possibly master this uitliculty ; the Factious icvile Nomineeism but suggest no safer or better mode of securing the natives a just share in that Government which they are taxed to support. Few reflective men ■will deem it either politic, safe, or expedient to attempt carrying out Chartist principles in ft newly and thinly settled country, where there exists an overwhelming majority of cunning and warlike aborigines. Despite their zeal for Ultra-Democracy they unwisely wish to abandon the Annual Pat' HRinent principle of the Charter, which is we>* suited lor this colony—the more frequently

elections recur the greater must be the labour of the sitting representatives to convince their constituents of their worth, talents, and indus - try as public servants; if the people were satisfied that during the year’s membership they had been honest, able, and industrious representatives of the public, gratitude for the past, and a desiie dguin to obtain the services of men of talent and merit would secure the repeated reelection of the really useful men to seats in the Council. On the other hand should unhappily any of our senators be dull, neglectful, or unjust, one year is at least long enough time to bear with an injurious and unprofitable reprepresentative of the public. An aristocracy of talent and learning would deserve our respect could we obtain one from so small a commujiity. but an olio , a i * j, m uiruat upon us iui’seven yeais, without any power in either Governor or 1 eople to dissolve or eject them from the Council, even should they utterly neglect or actually oppose the interests and wishes of the public, would be an intolerable nuisance which 1 tun convinced we could never endure. Septennial Parliaments have long been deemed grievances by all classes of liberals, although their evil effects have been somewhat abated by the Royal power of summarily dissolving any Parliament, whenever the King or Queen thought a new election would better express the wishes of their subjects. The folly and injustice of long parliaments would be more evident m this colony, from our population increasing much more rapidly than that of Britain—even during a twelvemonth many men of talent may arrive and settle in Port Nicholson who would be desirable as members of Council, therefore the public might be losers by choosing even for the long term of three years, representatives from our present small number of settlers. If the opinions above expressed can be termed a desertion from liberal principles then sir lam quite willing to be deemed a deserter from the cause of freedom. 1 am, sir, Your’s respectfully, An Englishman.

7o the Editor of the “ New Zealand Spectator.” Wellington, Te Aro, Jan. S, 1851. biß,—ln consequence of the Committee appointed to carry out the Sports on the 22nd January having failed to attend the Meeting called tor that purpose, and one of the Secretaries declining to act, I beg to withdraw the advertisement signed by me as Treasurer, and tUKg this opportunity of declining the trust. I am Sir, Y'qijv’c poopQrt tft(J ] y W. B. Rhodes.