MEMORANDA RELATIVE TO THE MILITARY DEFENCES OF NEW ZEALAND. &c.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 8, Issue 608, 9 May 1865, Page 1

MEMORANDA RELATIVE TO THE MILITARY DEFENCES OF NEW ZEALAND. &c.

No. 1. MEMOKANDUM BY MINISTERS. Ministers submit for the consideration of the imperial Government the following resolutions relative to the withdrawal of her Majesty's land forces, and the cessation of the system of double Government in native affairs. They were adopted without division by the Legislative Council and House of Representatives : — . (1.) That this Council [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. (2.) That this Council [House] having in its last session accepted the decision of the Duke of Newcastle upon the subject of the responsibility of directing and controlling the native policy of the colony, as imposed upon it by his Despatch No. 22, of the 26th February, 1863, which decision has been interpreted by the instructions to his Excellency the Governor, contained in Despatches No. 43, of 26 th April, and No. 65, of 26th May, 1864, of the Right Honorable Edward Cardwell, expresses its confident trust that these instructions were issued to meet a temporary emergency and may lapse the moment a normal state of things shall be restored in the colony. (3.) That this Council [House] (without disputing) does not dispute the claim of the Imperial Government to exercise a reasonable control over policy upon Avhich the restoration of peace must necessarily depend, whilst the colony is receiving the aid of British troops for the suppression of internal disturbances, (yet) cannot shrink from the expression of its conviction that the joint responsibility of Governor and Ministers has resulted in divided councils, which have been productive of great evils to both races of her Majesty's subjects in this colony,- and have entailed heavy and unnecessary expenditure both upon Great Britain and on New Zealand. (4.) That the resources of New Zealand have been already heavily burdened, and their deveI lopment retarded by the great sacrifices that have been entailed upon the colony by the native insurrection. That,- nevertheless, the colony is resolved to make every further possible effort to place itself in a position of self-defence against internal agression, with a view to accept the alternative indicated by the Home Government, namely, the withdrawal of her Majesty's laud forces at the earliest possible period consistent with the maintenance of Imperial interests, and the .safety of the colony, thereby enabling the Imperial Government to issue such instructions to his Excellency the Governor as may permit him to be guided entirely by the recommendations of his Constitutional Advisers in native, as well as in ordinary affairs, excepting iipon such matters as may directly concern Imperial interests and the prerogative of the Crown. (5.) 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. Upon the debate on these resolutions, the following counter-resolutions, by way of amendment, were moved in the House of Representatives, and negatived, on a division, by a majority 0f35t018: — mr. graham's amendment. (4) That in the present circumstances of the colony it is expedient, as a temporary measure, that New Zealand should be divided into two separate colonies. That the southern colony should have a constitutional Government, administered on the principle of Ministerial responsibility. That the Northern colony should have such a constitution as will enable the Imperial Government to exercise such control over the management of native aftirirs 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. (o) 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 respectfully 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 State for the Colonies.

Similar counter resolutions were moved bj a Mr. Whitaker in like manner in the Legislat, tive Council, in which the Auckland influence !i disproportionately preponderates over that oi c the other provinces, and were negatived on a division by a majority of one. The resolutions on this question, as origir nally proposed by the Government, were as I f ollows: — (1.) That the joint responsibility of GoverJ nor 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 this system of double Government so long as the colony is receiving the aid of British troops for the suppression of internal ! distiu*bances, accepts the alternative, and rei quests the Home Government to withdraw the whole of its land force from the colony, and to issue such instructions to his Excellency the i Governor as may enable him to be guided entirely by the recommendations 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 occcasion 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, Secretory 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 as 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 theresolutions, 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 ba imaginary alarms ; the timid and those who have largely benefited by the presence of the troops 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 lias, 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 Taranaki, 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 sclf-defendingsettlements, maybe carried on with a local force, which, when the troops are 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, the New Zealand Le-

t gislature has this session raised the customs • duties by 30 per cent., the utmost limit in fact 5 , to which the tariff can be increased, f But, whilst laying great stress upon the fii nancial, the political aspect of this, question is in the opinion of Ministers, even of more vital; , importance. It is confidently hoped that when i the troops are withdrawn the entire control of all its internal affairs, native as well as others will be left to the Colonial Government. The system of double Government has, in the opinion of Ministers, been fraught with the most disastrous consequences to both races of her Majesty's subjects in the colony. There need be no alarm at the proposal to leave the ? management, of native aftaira entirely in the. hands of the colonists. If the course of, ■ legislation since the Constitution Act be fairly examined, it will be seen that there has been throughout a sincere and earnest desire on the part of the colonists to advance the condition of the native inhabitants ; and that its tendency is to place the native land-owner in the same position as the European in the land market, . by giving him a secure title, and to enable him to sell or lej; his land free from the restrictions imposed by the Home Government. It is a main feature of the policy of the present Ministers to carry out and extend these principles, believing, as they do, that. they tend to the only possible peaceful solution of the-iia-tive difficulty, by removing one great cause of quarrel between the native inhabitants and the Government, and a fruitful source of intertribal native wars. In the session of 1863 the Legislature decided on the removal of the seat of Government from Auckland to a place in Cook's Straits, and in the session of 1864 it confirmed the decision of the Commissioners appointed by the Governoi*s of the Australian colonies in favour of Wellington, as the seat of Government. It is a necessary part ot the policy of Ministers to carry into effect the determination arrived at by the Legislature ; and in accordance with the arrangement proposed by Mr. Weld on taking office, and acceded to by his Excellency the Governor, the Government is being at once transferred to Wellington. If the colony is to re- | main united, and the control of native affairs, | with all its attendant cost, is to rest exclusively [ with it, it is absolutely necessary that the seat | of Government should be removed to a place where the .Southern provinces, fr6m which the revenue of the colony is principally drawn, and which contain its greatest resources, may exercise their legitimate control over the management ofpublie affairs, and where their wants may not, as hitherto, be almost entirely neglected ; nor has the counter-argument that the larger proportion of the native population ! belongs to the province of Auckland, much weight in the opinion of Ministers. Wellington is much more easily accessible to the great majority of the population of both races than Auckland ; while events do not appear to have shown any very successful result from constant personal negotiations between the Governor and the natives. Ministers,- on the contrary, believe that more may be expected from broad political views, steadily and firmly carried out,than from any amount of personal influence and diplomacy, and they are of opinion that the position of a Governor would be more respected by natives, were he only to appear amongst them on rare and grave occasions, befitting the interposition of tlie representative of the Crown. Ministers are aware that resolutions from the Provincial Council of Auckland have been transmitted to her Majesty praying in effect that the province of Auckland may be erected into a separate colony. Such a scheme would probably meet the determined opposition of every other part of the colony, as the Southern Island would not even then be relieved from the native difficulty, in which she has no immediate material interest of any kind, while she is heavily taxed to defray the consequent expenses. Another alternative suggested is the division at Cook's Straits ; a third, the creation of three colonies, Adz.,. Auckland, Wellington, and the Middle Island. Such a plan might find favoiu* in Auckland at the price of surrender of all privileges of self-government, should it be construed to mean continued British expenditure — continued military protection, coupled with exemption of the inhabitants of the province from contributions towards the cost of such protection. Men, too, might be found in the Southern Island who, forgetful of the future of the colony, content in the full enjoyment of representative institutions, and in relief from the native difficulty, might accept with readiness such a proposal, Avhilst the Southernmost districts of the Northern Island would doubtless oppose it to the uttermost. Ministers do not contemplate the probability of the Imperial Government meeting the wishes of the province of Auckland ; but, were it otherwise, they would not the less earnestly deprecate a step fraught with disaster to the colony. Ministers are of opinion that the division of New Zealand into two or three small separate colonies would dwarf the political intellect of the colony, confining it to the consideration of narrow and porsonal interests ; wlulst there is no slight security for the future of the native race in tlie fact that "the questions affecting them and their relations with the Europeans are influenced by men beyond the reach of local' passions and interests. Ministers ai*e further of opinion that, as a united colony, New Zealand may have a future before her not unworthy of consideration on the part of the mother country, and that the formation of a group of two or three small independent colonies is the utter destruction of ' such a hope. Fred. A. Weld. December 30, 1864.