New Plymouth August 25th. 1870. My dear Mr. McLean, You will pardon my troubling you as an old Friend by offering a suggestion in reference to the all important subject the civilization of the Maoris - the suggestion I have to offer may very probably have occurred to yourself - yet it possibly may not - I therefore venture to bring the idea under your notice for your consideration and which if it be of any use I shall be glad at having placed it at your disposal - and if useless there is no harm done. What I would propose for your consideration is that 8 or 10 of the principal Maori chiefs (2 being selected out of the tribes in each province of this Island - men of position and integrity whose words could not be doubted by their fellow countrymen) be induced to go on a visit to the United Kingdom at the expense of the General Government as a means ultimate tending greatly to the civilization and social improvement of the whole of the Maori race for the following reasons. That the bulk of the Maoris do not believe in the greatness and power of the Nation with whom they are allied their great naval and military power or their enormous numerical strength or in their immense wealth, trade and commerce. That a speedy and effectual means of removing these erroneous impressions and implanting correct ideas on these matters would be the sending home men of honor selected from among some of their principal tribes, who would then see and learn correctly forthemselves what was the real power and strength of the British Nation - the vast extent of its shipping, trade, wealth and commerce, the grandeur and extent of its towns and public buildings and the thousand and one improvements and inventions of civilization, and their various uses conveniences and value. That the contemplation of these things would naturally impress their minds with our superiority and strength and at the same time a feeling of pride and pleasure in being allied with such a people, and shew then the utter folly and hopelessness of contending against our overwhelming numbers (of which now they can form no adequate idea) and how if they entered upon a contest with us, it must ultimately result in ruin to themselves. That these visitors to Europe on their return to New Zealand would join their various hapus would proclaim throughout the whole Island what they had seen and learnt during their travels - all tending to magnify our power and superiority and impress upon the minds of the hearers the salutory impressions that had previously been forced upon their own, which they would receive without doubt not suspecting them of sinister motives or untruth, as they too frequently do ourselves, especially in reference to any matter tending to magnify our superiority over themselves in any way. That by these means of the Maori population would receive salutory instruction and gain new ideas (in a more cheap speedy and effectual way than by books or any other means) calculated to promote their natural desires from improvement and peaceable employment, and consequently to the permanent pacification of the country. +Many other reasons might be urged in favor of sending these Maoris home, but I think I have said suffieient to shew you what good results might and probably would follow from so doing. Give my kind regards to Douglas and tell him how sorry I was I was from home when he called. I should much liked to have seen him. My Mother desires to be kindly remembered to you. I remain Yours very truly, Arthur Standish. Honble. D. McLean, Wellington.