The Sun.
London, England, 1845-03-12 00:00:00

NEW ZEALAND.

Mr. SOMES, without making any observations, and merely
stating that ho thought the papers ought to be laid on the
table of the House for the information of the public, moved for
" Copies of all correspondence between the Colonial-office and
the Governor of New Zealand respecting the issue of deben-
tures, and the rendering them a legal tender. Of all corre-
spondence between the same respecting the taxes pro-
posed in the Legislative Council of that colony. Of all cm--
respondenee between the same respecting recent outrages by
the natives in the Bay of Islands, and the abolition of the
custom- house of that district. Of all correspondence respect-
ing the measures taken by the Governor of New Zealand to
fulfil Lord Stanley's agreement of 12th May, 1843, respecting
the grant of a conditional title to the lands of the New Zealand
Company. Of all correspondence respecting the disallowance
by the Governor of New Zealand of any awards made by the
Commissioner of Land Claims respecting the Company's lands.
Of all correspondence relating to a proclamation issued by the
Governor of New Zealand allowing the sale of lands by the
natives at a less price than that fixed by the Act of 5 and 6
Vict., c. 36."
Mr. AG LIONBY seconded the motion. He should not, in
doing so, offer many observations to the House, and even those
he should address to the House he should offer with considera-
ble diffidence and hesitation. From inquiries that had been
made from him by several Hon. Members, he collected that
it was imagined there was an intention to hang upon this mo-
tion for papers the whole question between the New Zealand
Company and her Majesty's Government, or rather he should
say the Colonial-office department. But it was not his inten-
tion, nor that of the Hoe. Member for Dartmouth, to raise
that question now ; it was one that might ultimately come be-
fore the House. The House and the public were well aware
that grave allegations had been made by the New Zealand
Company, that they had been treated by the Colonial-office
with a gross want of faith and injustice. The House and the
public were also aware that allegations had been made publicly
to the effect that the Company had been thwarted in all their
attempts to colonise New Zealand, that the progress of their
settlements, and the happiness and interests of the settlers had
been threatened by the hostility of the local Government of the
islands, which was supposed to carry out the views of the Co-
lonial-office. It was alleged also that the local
Government continued its hostile operations both
under the late and present governors there. It was com-
plained that the late governor had a preference for the settle-
relents in the northern part of the island, which were partly
founded by himself. As to the present governor, he was still
more unfortunate, for he was complained of by all parties.
Even the papers published in the seat of the local Govern-
ment stated that its proceedings were now, and had for some
time been, of a character not to be justified by any kind of
policy. It was not his intention to raise the question of the
claims of the colonists, which had been discussed from time to
time, and which had been referred to a Committee of that
House ; and he only alluded tcrtne labours of that Committee for
the purpose of stating his opinion that their report, which em-
bodied the results of their labours, ought not to be allowed to
sink. That report had not been yet produced, out of consi-
deration to the Government and to the Right Honourable
Baronet who was at the head of it, and who
had before them matters which pressed more upo'd
their attention. The question was now brought before the
House because the claims of the colony and of the colonists had
not met with that consideration which they deserved. The whole
statement of the case was well worthy of the attention of
the House. He had no intention, however, of entering fully
into the subject. He had no wish to make this what was com-
monly called a New Zealand debate. If he were asked why
the Hon. Member for Dartmouth, who was chairman of the
Company, and himself, who was one of the Directors, brought
forward this motion for papers, he would say that it was be-
cause they knew more of the evils suffered by the colony—more
of the wretchedness and misery endured by the colonists—and
which were entirely attributable to maladministration, than
any Hon. Members of the House. The attention of the Prime
Minister was seldom called to the colonies, and the Colonial
Department, as at present constituted, was utterly indequate
to the management of colonial affairs.—( Hear, hear.) The
affairs of each separate colony did not receive that
attention which they were entitled to. He did not
intend to raise the question of colonial management,
but he believed that no single office, constituted
as the Colonial-office was, could pay that attention to colonial
affairs which they demanded. '1 he reason why he addressed
the House on this subject was, because he believed that he
knew more about it than any other Hon. Member unconnected
with the colony. He would ask, if any other Hon. Member
had the slightest idea of the proceedings complained of by the
colonists, and he thought that he might be eliciting information
that could net be elicited by any other person. The Right
lion. Baronet at the head of the Government was not aware
of the state of the colonies. According to the routine of office,
the affairs of any particular colony were not brought under the
Right lion. Baronet's consideration, except under special cir-
cumstances. The Colonial-office itself did not know as much
of the affairs of this colony as was known from private infor-
mation and accounts in the newspapers. But that in-
formation was as a sealed book to the generality of Members.
It was not his intention to go iuto the details of this matter,
but without embracing it in some measure, he could not per-
form his duty either to the New Zealand Company or to the
public. Among the regulations of the Colonial-office was
one preventing governors issuing debentures wtthout its au-
thority. He begged to ask whether the Government had sanc-
tioned the issuing of debentures for 15,0004 ? He wished to
know whether the present system of governing the colony
was sanctioned by her Majesty's Ministers—whether the
governor of the colony had power to issue debentures without
the authority of the English Executive? He should be glad if he
could have the governor's minutes produced. It was a document
which certainly did not form part of the present notice, but
probably his calling attention to it would induce the Under-
Secretary for the Colonies to lay it on the table of the House
with the other papers. If the policy pursued by the local Go-
vernment were sanctioned by the English Government, he
must say it was highly improper. He gathered this policy
principally from those common sources of information which
were open to everybody, but be could assure the House many
of his private correspondents had confirmed the statements
made in the local papers. What would the agricultural Mem-
bers who occupied the opposite benches say to a Government
imposing a tax of 103. upon every sheep imported into the
colony—a tax upon the very means by which an infant colony
could thrive? But this was not all. What would they think
of a tax being imposed upon every dog required to hind their
sheep? It might be very well to tax dogs in England, where
dogs were superfluous, but Hon. Members must remember that
New Zealand dogs were rarely to be met with. One would
think that the Government of a new colony would
hold out an inducement to cleanliness—habits of health—
morality, and decency. But what would they think of a
local Government who proposed a tax of I/. upon every
room above three? So that a family, large or small, had to
herd themselves together in three rooms. This was a state of
things that ought not to exist. He would not go fully into
the subject, but he must remark, that in consequence of the
course that had been pursued, nine of the countrymen of Eng-
land had fallen in cold blood, and after they had given up their
farms. Had there been any inquiry into this subject? There
had not ; and when it was demanded it was refused. He
saw the Secretary for the Colonies had given a notice to trove
for the report of the Governor of New South Wales ; that
might throw some light upon the subject, but he
was afraid it would not be productive of much good.
lie hail to complain of another mode which had been resorted
to, which was most unfair. Papers had been sent to the Co-
lonial-office by individuals, and had been issued thence as if
they were official. The grossest acts of cruelty were perpe-
trated upon the settlers by the aborigines, and even upon wo-
men. The only punishment which had been inflicted by the
Governor was, to take ten muskets from ten of the worst oi
the rioters ; but lest this punishment might be considered too
severe, the muskets were again restored to them. He would
not now enter fully into the subject, but reserve himself for a
future occasion ; nor would he mix ttp the claims of the Com-
pany with the questions which he now brought forward. He
would, on a future occasion, move for papers showing the
mode in which the Company had been treated by the Govern-
ment. lie wished to call the attention of the House and of
the Government to the sales of land which had taken place
in in
that colony. The House was aware that, by Act of Parlia-
ment, the minimum was fixed at 1/. per acre. This was 1843.
But it was currently reported that this Act had been evaded,
and that the Governor by proclamation had allowed sales to take
place by paying 2s. 6d. to the native, and I7s. hd. to the Go-
vernment. lie wished to know whether that was the case .
It was further said, that the Governor of the Wellington dis-
trict had felt the injustice so much, that he issued a notifica-
tion to the effect, that no persons could purchase, except from the
Crown. The House and the country should bear in mind that
the colony of New Zealand contained 17,000 inhabitants, 10,000
of whom were recent settler';. lie was sorry to perceive that