A—No. 4

MEMORANDA FROM MINISTERS

land jobbing among one class of the Natives, may irritate others who see the lands which have belonged to their tribe passing from within their reach, without themselves receiving their share of the profits. If, indeed, the Imperial Government were prepared to depart from the arrangements already, sanctioned, and to transfer the management of Native Affairs from the Governor, acting under Instructions from this country and through a Staff of permanent Officers, to an Officer responsible to the Colonists, and changing with the Government, it might be considered that the system of land purchase from the Natives was to be decided upon by Colonial and not Imperial authority. But this view of the subject I am not able to accept; Her Majesty's Government wish to give the fullest effect to the system of Responsible Government, and to leave all questions of domestic and internal interest to be decided by the Colonial Government, but they cannot either for the sake of the Colonists, or for that of the Natives, or for Imperial interests, surrender the control over Native Affairs, the administration of which has been up to the present time, considering the difficulties and intricacies of the subject, crowned with a very remarkable success, and is paving the way towards that complete civilization and consolidation of the Native Race with the English Colonists, which Her Majesty's Government, not less than the local Government, desire to see effected. And whilst Her Majesty's Government feel themselves constrained to justify to Parliament the large expense which every year is incurred for the maintenance of a Military force in New Zealand for the defence of the Colony, and for the better control and regulation of the Native Race, they must retain in their hands the administration of those Affairs, which at any moment may involve the employment of those troops, and the consequence of an expensive conflict. So long as the Colony for this purpose enjoys the advantage of Military and Naval protection, Her Majesty's Government cannot consent to yield a point which in their opinion, is so intimately connected with the security of the Colony, the justice due to Native claim?, and the issues of Peace or War itself. Convinced, therefore, that the proposed Act is calculated to effect hazardous alterations in a system, tiie working of which does not at present appear open to any practical objection, I have been unable to recommend that this Act should be confirmed by Her Majesty, and it will accordingly remain inoperative. I have, &c., Carnarvon, In the absence of Sir E. B. Lytton. Governor Gore Browne, C.8., &c, &c, &c.

No. 16. copy or a DESPATCH from lord Carnarvon to governor gore browne, c.b. Downing Street, 13th June, 1859. Sm, — With reference to my Despatch No. 34 of the 18th ultimo, I transmit to you herewith an Order of the Queen in Council confirming the reserved Act of the Legislature of New Zealand "to enable the Governor to establish a Settlement for Colonization in the Bay of Islands." You will take such measures as may be necessary for giving effect to Her Majesty's Assent to this Enactment. I have, &c., Carnarvon, In the absence of Sir E. B. Lytton, Governor Gore Browne, C.8., &c, &c, &c.

No. 40.

(No. 7'J.)

No. 17. copy op a DESPATCH from the duke of Newcastle to governor gore browne, c.b. Downing Street, 22nd August, 1859. Sir,— With reference to my Predecessor's Despatch, No. 17 of the 24th of March last, I have to inform you that I have laid before the Queen the Acts of the Legislature of New Zealand of which the numbers, dates, and titles, will be found in the annexed schedule, and that they will be left to their operation. Her Majesty's Government have still under their consideration the Act No. 34 of the same session " to provide for the periodical publication of the liabilities and assets of Banks in NewZealand." I have, &c, Newcastle. Governor Gore Browne, C.B. &c, &c, &c.

No. 10.

(Noe. 33, 40, and 66.)

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