E.-No. 2.

J. E. Cairns, Professer of Jurisprudence, Joseph Cowen, junr., Neweastle-on-Tync, &c, Queen's University, Ireland, John Mayfield, 300, Holborn, P. W. Newman, late Professor at Univer- Francis E. Fox, Tottenham, sity College, London, Justin M'Carthy, Newman Hall, L.L.D., James Cropper, Kcndal, J. Humffreys Parry, Sergeant-at-Law, James Taylor, junr., Birmingham, Samuel Stott, Mayor of Bochdale, "Wilson Armistead Leeds, Leone Levi, Professor of Commerce and William Anderson, L.L.D., Glasgow, Commercial Law, King's College, Frederick Wheeler, Rochester, London, Henry Richardson, Neweastle-on-Tyne, Charles Sturge, Joseph Lupton, Leeds, Henry Christy, Caleb Fletcher, M.1).. York. Joseph Pease, Darlington, No. 2. COPT OF EEPLY by the G-ovehxor to Letter of Aborigines Protection Society. Government House, Auckland, 7th April, 1864. Silt,— 1 have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th January, transmitting me an address which had been very numerously and iufluentially signed, in which a hope was expressed that I would avail myself of the first favourable opportunity which presented itself of endeavouring to terminate by negociation the war unhappily existing in New Zealand, and especially that 1 would listen to any overtures of peace which any of the Natives who have taken up arms may make. Your letter, and the address which it encloses, shall be forwarded to my llesponsible Advisers for their consideration : but in the meantime I can have no hesitation in saying that the wishes and instructions of His Grace the Duke of Newcastle impose on me as a duty that which is entirely in consonance with my own feelings and with yours, viz.—that 7 should certainly listen to any reasonable overtures that the Natives in arms may make, and that I should avail myself of any opportunity that offers of obtaining permanent peace for this Colony. I am quite confident that general public opinion in this country will support me in taking this course, and would expect me to do so. With regard to the confiscation of portions of the lands of the Natives now in amis, this point has to be considered; that, mercy requires that future contests between the two races should in as far as practicable be prevented, and that there are many tribes in New Zealand who have taken no part in the present lamentable conflict, yet who might hereafter be led into similar acts, whilst nothing would more certainly lead to the extermination of the Native race than a sents of contests such as that which is now being carried on. The object of the local G-overnment, therefore, has been to secure to that numerous part of the Xative population who have taken no active share in the present Avar, the whole of their landed possessions, and also, by laws passed expressly for this object, to give to the lands held by such Natives a value greater than they have previously had for their owners, by in all respects giving them equal rights in their landed possessions with those enjoyed by their European fellow subjects, the intention in this respect being to show that the rights of peaceable citizens, of whatever race, arc carefully respected, and to give the Natives so valuable a stake in the country that they are not likely hereafter to hazard it lightly. On the other hand, it was thought necessary by an example to show that those who rose in arms against their fellow subjects of another race, suffered such a punishment for doing no as might deter others from embarking in a similar career. It is therefore proposed to deprive such persons of a considerable portion of their landed properties, and to provide for the future safety of the Colony, by occupying such lands with an European population. ' But even in the case of these persons, it is intended that sufficient lands shall be reserved for themselves and their descendents, to be held on the same tenure, as lands arc henceforth to be secured to the rest of the Native poptilation. That these measures will be carried out in a spirit of liberal generosity, and of mercy, 1 earnestly hope, and will do my best to ensure, and in my efforts for this end, T believe that 1 shall be supported by a large majority in this Colony. You will much obligo me by returning this answer to those noblemen and gentlemen who signed the address which you forwarded to me. I have the honor to be. &c, &c, G. Guet. No. 3. MINUTE by the Colotaj. Sechetaby. The Colonial Secretary begs to thank His Fxcellency for submitting to him his reply to the noble men and gentlemen who lately forwarded an address to Hie Excellency on the subjects of peace and confiscation of lands belonging to the rebel Natives. The Colonial Secretary entirely concurs in His Excellency's observations, and does not think it necessary to offer any on the part of the Ministry. A\ rJXI.IAM FOX. 7th April, 1864.

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PAPERS RELATIVE TO NATIVE AFFAIRS.