89

A.—3a,

at Wellington on the subject of the future Constitution of New Zealand. We assure you that we are in the daily enjoyment of that prosperity which has resulted from the judicious policy hitherto pursued by your Excellency since your assumption of the Government, and that we have the fullest confidence that you will continue to consult our best interests in every measure connected with the Government of the colony. Tour memorialists will ever pray. [Here follow 153 signatures.]

No. 36. Copy of a Despatch from Governor Grey to the Eight Hon. Earl Grey. (No. 34.) My Lord,— Wellington, New Zealand, Bth February, 1851. In reference to my Despatch No. 29, of this day's date, transmitting for your Lordship's information certain resolutions and a report proposed at a public meeting held at Wellington on the 3rd instaut, and acquainting your Lordship that, owing to the short period of time which elapsed between the public meeting and the sailing of the vessel for England, in which copies of its proceedings are to be sent Home, sufficient time had not been given to the settlers to express their opinions upon the subjects to which the resolutions and report related, I have now the honour to transmit a protest against those resolutions and that report, which was this morning placed in my hands by a most respectable deputation. This protest so fully expresses the views of those who have signed it that I need not trouble your Lordship with any observations upon it. I need only state that it is signed by 230 settlers, all of whom, I believe, as is stated, are adults, and have been mostly long resident in the colony. The feeling that animates the community on this subject was stated to me by the deputation to have been fully manifested by all these signatures having been attached to the protest in two days, and this although those who drew it up refused to receive the signatures of any persons connected with the Government. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Earl Grey, &c. G. Grey.

Enclosure 1 in No. 36. Letter accompanying Protest. Sir George,— It has been considered desirable to accompany the protest which the gentlemen present have the honour to hand to your Excellency with a few remarks on the way in which it was prepared. The extreme opinions expressed in the resolutions passed at the late public meeting, and the belief that an impression would prevail among the friends of New Zealand in England that the settlers were recklessly desirous for political power without regard to the present or permanent interests of the colony, have induced several persons simultaneously and without concert to prepare some statements in writing of their views. Of these statements the present document is one. Tour Excellency may form some idea of the feeling which animates the community when assured that the greater number of the persons who have signed the present document are persons who do not ordinarily occupy themselves with the expression of opinions on political subjects. Most of those who have signed it object to the term minority, believing that a great majority of the settlers hold similar opinions, and would have expressed them even more decisively had time allowed. All the signatures have been obtained in two days. More signatures might have been obtained had the promoters of it been willing to receive those of persons in any way connected with the Government. It is also to be remarked that the whole of the signatures are those of adults who are actual residents. The interpolation at the commencement was made by the desire of most of the persons signing in order to prevent any misapprehension of their object. His Excellency Sir George Grey, K C.8., Governor-in-Chief, &c.

Enclosure 2 in No. 36. Protest. Wellington, Bth February, 1851. The questions raised at the late public meeting are of so much importance that it becomes the duty of the minority to place their views on record, in full confidence that if the following propositions are correct they will in time influence the opinions of those settlers who have decided in opposition to them. The undersigned dissent from the conclusions arrived at by the public meeting: First, because, while they claim the right of the settlers to manage their own local affairs, they believe that it is impolitic to place a territory equal in extent to Great Britain at the uncontrolled disposal of a Council elected by and out of a population not exceeding that of a large country parish in the Mother-country. Second, because it is unjust to submit the affairs of 70,000 British subjects of one race to the absolute direction and control of 20,000 British subjects of another race,' whose interests may be and are opposed to them. Third, because it is discreditable to the legislative abilities of the principal settlers that the question, confessedly of the greatest difficulty, and upon which, of all others connected with the subject of a Constitution for New Zealand, information is most desired by the British Parliament —viz., the extent to which the aboriginal race should be intrusted with political power, is evaded rather than solved, while the extent of the powers claimed by the colonists renders still more imperative the duty of ascertaining and defining those to be exercised by the Natives. Fourth, because sufficient evidence has not been produced to establish the facts alleged in the resolutions that, owing to causes over which the colonists have no control, the Native race is fast

12—A. 3a.