THE COLONIST. NELSON, FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1861.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 352, 8 March 1861, Page 2

THE COLONIST. NELSON, FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1861.

On Native Affairs, we copy the following Resolutions from a Report presented to the House of Commons on the 29th July, 1844, by which it will be1 seen that the committee who drew it up had much clearer notions on | colonization, than those who were sent out here to forward it, and that they looked upon' the treaty ol Waitangi, as a 'part of a series of injudicious proceedings;' but these having been once granted, cannot be honorably broken. We call attention particularly to the 14th resolution, where it is stated that • the settlers should be organised as a militia;' and more particularly to the 7th resolution; which says " That in order to prevent land from being held by parties, not intending to make use of the same, a land-tax, not exceeding twopence an acre, ought to be imposed." RESOLUTIONS. Ist. That the conduct of the New Zealand Company in sending out settlers to New Zealand, ■not only without the sanction, but in dirept defiance of the authority of the Crown, was highly irregular and improper. 2nd. That the conclusion of the Treaty of Waitangi, by Captain Hobson with certain natives of New Zealand, was a part of a series of injudicious proceedings, which had commenced several years previous tQ.his assumption of tho local Government*

3rd. That-[the acknowledgment 'by.'the^ local authorities of a right of property on the part of tho natives of New Zealand, in all wild land in those islands, after the sovereignty had been assumed by her Majesty, was not essential to the true construction of'the Treaty of Waitangi, and was an error which had been productive of very injurious consequences. 4. That the New Zealand Company has a right to expect to be put in possession by.the Government,'with the least possible delay, of the number of acres awarded to it by Mr. Pennington ;• that, the Company has this right as against the estate of the Crown, 'without reference to the validity, or otherwise, of its supposed purchase from the natives, all claims derived from which have been surrendered.

5. That the Company, in selecting the land to be granted by the Crown within the defined limits, cannot claim' the grant of any land not vested in the Crown.

6. That meaus ought to be forthwith adopted for establishing the exclusive title of the Crown to all land not actually occupied and enjoyed by natives or held under grants ot the Crown ; such land to be considered as vested in the Crown for the purpose of being employed in the manner most conducive to the welfare of the inhabitants, whether natives or Europeans. 7. That in order to prevent land from being held by parties not intending to make use of the same, aland-tax, not exceeding twopence an acre, ought to be imposed; that all parties claiming land should be required to put in their claims, and pay one year's tax iv advance, within twelve months. B. That such tax ought not to be considered as applying to the whole estate of the New Zealand Company, so long as they shall continue to sell nht less than one twenty-fifth of the land granted to them, annually, and to expend a fixed proportion of the proceeds in Emigration." 9. That such tax ought also not to be considered as applying to lands now actually occupied and enjoyed by the natives, or to reserves set apart and held for their benefit.

10. That reserves ought to be made for the natives, interspersed with the lands assigned to the settlers, with suitable provision for regulating their alienation and preserving the use of them for the natives as long as may be necessary; and that these reserves ought not to be included in calculating the amount of land due to the Company. 11. That as it appears by evidence, that the non-settlement of the land claims has been productive of great confusion and mischief in the colony, it is expedient to adopt measures for granting legal titles with the least possible delay to the actual occupants of land, unless under special circumstances of abuse.

12. That the prohibition to all private persons to purchase land from the natives ought to be strictly enforced, except that land which may have been purchased by the natives they should be at liberty to sell again, provided the transaction be sanctioned by the Protector. 13. That it .is highly important that the Governor should liave more effectual means of enforcing obedieuce to his authority, and also greater facility for visiting frequently the different settlements; and that with this view it is expedient that an armed steamer, of moderate size, be placed at his disposal. 14. That it is expedient that the settlers should be organized as a militia, under the orders and control of the Governor; natives, under proper precautions, being allowed to serve in it. 15. That it is expedient that an attempt should also be made to raise and discipline a native force of a more permanent character, officered in general by Europeans, but in which any of the natives who may be found trustworthy may hold commanr s. 16. That the employment of natives in the civil service of the Government, in any situations in which they can be useful, is highly desirable. 17. That efforts should be made gradually to wean the natives from their ancient customs, and to induce them to adopt those of civilized life, upon the principle recommended by Captain Grey in his l'eport on the mode of introducing civilization amongst the natives of Australia. 18. That the principles in which the New Zealand Company have acted iv making the reserves for the natives, with a view to their ultimate as well as present welfare, and in making suitable provision for spiritual and educational purposes, are sound and judicious'tending to the benefit of all classes.

Dr. Featherston was returned on Saturday last for the Superintendency of Wellington, without opposition. The Judge's charge in the quarterly sittings of the Supreme Court was an exceedingly lengthy one, much of, it being devoted to the late painful case o( the ship John Bunyan. The Grand Jury ignored the bill against Captain Allen for manslaughter; the charge of piracy preferred by him against some of the crew, had resulted in the conviction of the latter, and a sentence of two years' hard labor inflicted.