A.—No. 1

2

MEMORANDA BETWEEN HIS EXCELLENCY

the Northern. Colony should have such a Constitution as will enable the Imperial Government to exercise such control over the management of Native Affairs, as will enable Her Majesty's Government to take such measures as it may deem necessary to suppress the present Rebellion, and provide safeguards against rebellion for the future. (5.) That when the management of Native Affairs shall cease to form a special difficulty in the Government of New Zealand, the two Colonies be re-united as one Colony under a single Government, to be established in the locality which shall be most convenient to the "Members of the Legislature, and for the general interests of the Colony at large. (6.) That Her Majesty's Imperial Government be most respectful]} but strongly urged to give effect, without delay, to these Resolutions. (7.) That these Resolutions be embodied in an humble address to His Excellency the Governor, requesting him to transmit them to Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of Utate for the Colonies. Similar counter Resolutions were moved by Mr. Whitaker in like manner in the Legislative Council, in which the Auckland influence disproportionately preponderates over that of the other Provinces, and were negatived on a division by a majority of one. The Resolutions on this question, as originally proposed by the Government, were as follows : — (1.) That the joint responsibility of Governor and Ministers in the management of Native affairs has resulted in divided councils, and in a vacillating policy which has been productive of great evil to both races of Her Majesty's subjects in the Colony, while it has entailed heavy and unnecessary expenditure both upon Great Britain and on New Zealand. (2.) That this House, recognising the right of the Home Government to insist upon the maintenance of the system of double Government so long as the Colony is receiving the aid of British troops for the suppression of internal disturbances, accepts the alternative, and requests the Home Government to withdraw the whole of its land force from the Colony, and to issue such instructions to His Excellency the Governor as may enable him to be guided entirely by the recommendation of his Constitutional Advisers in Native as well as in ordinary affairs, excepting upon such matters as may directly concern Imperial interests and the prerogatives of the Crown. (3.) That the House takes this occasion of expressing its loyalty and devotion to the Crown, its deep gratitude for the generous assistance rendered by the Mother Country to this Colony, and its cordial appreciation of the gallant services performed by Her Majesty's Land and Naval Forces in New Zealand. (4.) That these Resolutions be embodied in an humble address to His Excellency the Governor, requesting him to transmit them to Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies. The subject of these Resolutions was much discussed. It was urged against them in their original form that they might appear precipitate and rash; that they might be construed into a request for the instantaneous withdrawal of the troops, no regard being had to circumstances, or to the safety of the Colony. To meet these objections they were modified by Government into the form adopted, in which their principle remains intact, though more guardedly laid down. At the same time it was stated in the House of Representatives by the Head of the Government, Mr. Weld, that there was no change in the policy of the Government; that the same action would be taken by Ministers under either form of the Resolutions, although the one form allowed greater latitude to the Government than the other; and that whilst they would not rashly urge on the withdrawal of the troops, yet nevertheless it was their policy to bring about the removal of Her Majesty's Land Forces from the Colony at the earliest possible moment. Ministers believe their policy to be in conformity with the views of the Imperial Government, and they see no reason at present to prevent its being carried into effect. Whatever risk may attend it (and it is impossible that at any time it could be absolutely free from risk), they consider that it may be undertaken now with as little danger as under any circumstances likely to arise for many years to come. There may be partial disturbances ; there will be imaginary alarms; the timid, and those who have largely benefited by the presence of the troojjs, will raise the usual outcry ; but it is hoped that the war in the Waikato has practically come to an end. His Excellency the Governor has, by the advice of Ministers (and as they understand fully concurring), issued a Proclamation, a copy of which is enclosed, which is virtually a declaration of cessation of active operations, at least in the Waikato, a district now occupied in strong positions by no less than 2,500 military settlers armed, organised, and capable of self-defence. The operations at Tnranaki, which at present it is intended should be confined to the opening up of roads through rebel districts, the occupation of one or more strong positions, and the establishment of self-defending settlements, may bo carried on with a local force, which, when the troops arc withdrawn, the Colony must supply. Ministers are of opinion that that spirit of self-reliance which constitutes real strength, and the surest guarantee for the future of a country, would be fostered by the withdrawal of Her Majesty's Forces, and by the substitution of a small Colonial Force, partaking of the nature of an armed constabulary, officered, equipped, and disciplined with especial reference to the services it would have to perform, and to the country in which it might be called upon to act. Such a force, with officers amenable to the Colonial Government, would, it is hoped, be especially effective for colonial requirements ; it would also offer a career, as circumstances might permit its development, to the young men of the colony of both races ; it would form one system with the Volunteer and Militia Forces, and its value would be the greater, because it would not be liable to sudden withdrawal on emergency by the Imperial Government. Ministers would further submit to the Imperial Government that it is absolutely impossible for the Colony to incur the heavy war expenditure that already menaces New Zealand with financial ruin. The Colony has already made unprecedented efforts to meet the liberal assistance rendered to it by the Home Government; it .has kept on foot for a long period about 4,500 armed men, exclusive of Militia and Volunteers; besides partially maintaining a steam flotilla for military and transport requirements : moreover, tae New Zealand Legislature has this Session raised the Customs Duties by 30 per cent., the utmost limit in fact to which the tariff can be increased.