FIRST REAL STEP

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 96, 17 January 1933, Page 8

FIRST REAL STEP

Dominion’s Progress CONSTITUTION ACT Eightieth Anniversary , The eigthtieth anniversary of one of the most important political and social events in the history of the Dominion, the promulgation in New Zealand of the Constitution Act, falls to-day. This measure, which was passed by the British 5 Parliament on June 30, 1852, and which became law in the colony of New Zealand early in the following year, is classed among the most significant milestones in the progress of this country since sovereignty was first proclaimed by Captain Hobson in 1840. With the proclamation of British sovereignty by Hobson, the Crown Colony period of New Zealand’s history was ushered in. Before 1840 the government of the country had not been carried out by any settled constitutional plan, and it was not until the Constitution Act became law in New Zealand in 1853 that the country was granted any representative political institutions. The period of personal rule, in effect an autocracy, “limited from the viewpoint of the Governor, but absolute from that of the governed,” as Shrimpton and Mnigan describe it, continued for 14 years from 1840, for it was not until 1854 that the first General Assembly met in Auckland. Dependency Government. New Zealand was originally a dependency of New South Wales, and its Lieutenant-Governor was directly responsible to the Governor of that colony. On its becoming a separate colony its official head became directly responsible to the British Government, as represented by the Secretary of State for the Colonies (now the Dominions), and this alone shows the importance of the events which preceded and followed the passing of the Constitution Act.

The first move toward separation came in two proclamations in 1841, when New Zealand was named as a distinct colony, and the first charter gave the colony a Legislative Council and an Executive Council. The Governor and not less than six persons designated by her Majesty constituted the Legislative Council, and the Executive Council was formed to advise the Governor. The Legislative Council, whose members form notable links with the early history of the country, performed good, work during the following years, but there was an insistent clamour for a more representative institution, and this increased after the passing by the British Parliament of the New Zealand Government Act in 1846,

It was generally thought in the young colony that this would grant all that had been asked, but it fell so far short of the mark, and violated the Treaty of Waitangi to such an extent that Sir George Grey openly violated it, in spite of the fact that representative institutions were ostensibly provided ■for. The then Colonial Office acknowledged its error, and in 1848 it suspeAded the Act for five years. Within five years, the Constitution Act had been passed, and the way paved for real advancement, both political and social, in the eolony. Appeals From Colony. Persistent appeals from all sections of the community led to the. passing of tlie Act, and the settlers’ demands were strengthened by the establishment of the Otago and Canterbury settlements in 1848 and 1850 respectively. The Act was passed on June 30, 1852, and it was promulgated in New Zealand on January 17, 1852. It provided for a Colonial Legislature including a Governor and a General Assembly for the Colony, as well as six provincial assemblies. There were to be two Chambers, as there are to-day, a Legislative Council of not more than 20 members nominated for life, and a House of Representatives of about 37 members, elected for five years. The franchise was extended, but it was not as comprehensive as it is to-day, the general function of the General Assembly being to make “laws for the peace, order and good government of New Zealand.” The somewhat tortuous history of the provincial Governments and of the General Assembly cannot be traced briefly, but the significance remains of the enforcement of the Constitution Act 80 years ago. It was in 1853 that New Zealand was given self-govern-ment, much as it obtains now, although its detail was somewhat different. The first Parliament, much as we know it to-day. was summoned for the Queen’s Birthday, May 24, 1854, meeting in an old wooden building in Auckland, which survived for more than 60 years, and which served as part of the Auckland University College for 30 years, then being pulled down, without anyone knowing very much about its history, to make way for a road. It is possible to gain some idea of the population distribution from the representation in. the first Parliament. The House of Representatives consisted of 37 members, of whom Auckland returned 12. New Plymouth 3, Wellington 8, Nelson 6, Canterbury 5, and Otago 3. Early Statistics. New 'Zealanders celebrated the passing of the Constitution Act with great rejoicing in view of the long agitation which preceded its approval by Great Britain. The occasion was certainly worthy of celebration. The Colony: had had au official life of only 14 .years, and.,in strong contrast with other British possessions, it was then given charge of its own affairs. The population was very small, and means of com'nunication were crude in the extreme. There were no roads for vehicles between any of the principal settlements, and the journey from Auckland to Wellington occupied about three weeks or a month.

The European population was only 31,272. as against over 1.500,000 to-day. Imports were valued at only about £59.700 and exports at about £30.300. and nearly half of this trade was done in the Auckland province. To travel from Dunedin to Auckland, as Shrimpton ami Mulgan point out. required almost as much consideration as a trip to England does to-day. Little settlements were scattered throughout the country, and the national wealth was meagre. It can. therefore, be understood why the passing of the Constitution Act is regarded as the first real move by New Zealand toward advancement. both politically and socially.