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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 14, Issue 1127, 15 February 1870, Page 3

(From the " Standard," December 2.) Yesterday afternoon one of a series of weekly meetings was lielil nt the Cannonstreet Hotel to consider " the present most; unsatisfactory relations between Great Britain and the colonies/ Mr. You I presided, and there were many influential colonists present. The Chairman said that what was done last Wednesday had been received with great satisfaction by colonists. On ail hands people who were not at the meeting regretted their absence ; therefore they were justified in going on in the same quiet method as they did ou tlie-previous meeting. Mr. Wilson advocated the continuance of these meetings, in order to get things put on a more .satisfactory footing than they wore at present. He thought, howover, that the meetings would rather take the form of conversaziones, where men could meet men, and talk over the particular phase of the colonial question, than that they should attempt to carry on a system of public meetings. The colonial question ought not to be allowed to drift into a party question in the slightest degree. It was not merely a New Zealand question ; but they took what was going on in New Zealand as an illustration of the dealing of the mother country with the colonies. Agsiin, that was not a colonial question as opposed to the interests of the empire. The best interests of the colonies and the best interests of the kingdom at large were concerned, and they came forward in a friendly, and \\ >t in an antagonistic spirit, believing that tlw interestsof the mother country were involved as well as the colonies (hear). Several resolutions having been introduced, Mr. Wbstgahtit said that he understood that those resolutions were not to be brought before a public, meeting jn ;t now, but that tlu\y were merely to be given to those present as the upshot' of several meetings that had been held on the subjoct they had assembled to discuss. That was only an attempt to put on paper the ideas that were arrived at. Sir GeobptE G-uey (late Governor of IS ew Zealand) said it appeared necessary to decide a preliminary question — What arc the powers of a government for the time being with regard to severing a colony from the empire P Can any Cabinet at its own will sever a colony from Great Britain, and deprive all its inhabitants of their rights as British subjects? The inhabitants of the colonies reverenco their Queen, look with respect on the higher classes, and with regard on the workingclasses, whose toil and labour made the colonies ; and they desire to see the colonies reserved as a source of strength to the empire, and as aomes for the workingclasses. The Government could not allow Ireland to separate from England. Why, then, cast INfew Zealand adrift? They had rights as strong as those of the people of Ireland. To maintain one and cast off tho other was to follow a selfish policy solely with a view to English interests. Upon the whole it appeared right to ascertain what tho power of the Government was with regard to casting oil' tho colonies without tho consent of Parliament previously obtained, and what policy the Government proposed to pursue with reference, to the abandonment or maintenance of the colonies. (Hear.) The Hon. Mr. Tobin said the policy referred to was decidedly the policy of the administration, and not of Lord Grauvillo alone. They were told the self-same tiling, not by Lord Grnnville, but by Mr. Cardwell, us to the JNorth American colonies. Mr. Curd well began that self-reliant policy recently adopted. Supposing they did appeal to Lord Granville for a special announcement of policy, they would have to refer to some special question, and it would probably be a IS'ew Zealand one, and they would then be told by the whole world they were simply advocating a New Zealand policy. It would bo said, "If you take so many troops you must pay them yourself." It wa.s Canada that forced that result.

I The Chaibman read the following resolutions : — 1. That the colonies are the source of great commercial advantage to the parent country, and largely contribute to the influence and greatness of the em> pire. 1,2. That on the other hand, the rights of imperial citizenship, imperial supervision, influence, and example, and imperial commerce and resources, promote all the best interests of the colonies ; and that they, on their part, are not wanting in a loyal appreciation of their beneficial relationI ship. k 3. That the practical independence of ■jgpresentative and responsible local goHHhuent, latterly conceded to each of the ■Hml colonies, alike at their own inBH^^Vand with the ready concurrence of H^HKperiui authorities, was most certainly WWer intended to weaken the connection with the parent state, but on the contrary, to strengthen it by the increased loyalty and contentment arising from a more suitable political condition ; dnd that in this respect this judicious policy has been attended with complete success. 4. That under this new system it is only equitable that these so self-governed colonies should defray entirely their own respective charges, provided always that the claims and responsibilities, if any* aU taching to the preceding regime be first satisfactorily disposed of, anil that this financial independence has, in fact, with a very few exemptions, which it may be hoped are only temporarily such, either been already completely attained or is just on the eve of attainment. 5. That New Zealand is one of these exceptional Cases, the preceding regime having bequeathed to it a heritage of costly difficulties with the native question in the northern island ; and that the indiscriminate and immediate application of the new policy to that colony's special Case is a 1 proceeding at once impolitic and unjust as towards a portion of the common empire, ami that threatens, if persisted in, to involve its limited resources in most serious financial difficulties. 6. That the late correspondence of her Majesty's Colonial Secretary on the JN T ew Zealand question is most unsatisfactory, not only by a refusal, in terms of unwonted discourtesy, of the aid of the general govertliriuut* in no matter what circumstanced applied for, to restore the Queen's authority in the colony, but by the strange doctrine left to be iuferred, that rebellion and massacre in one part of tlie Queen's dominions are no concern of the central power, but only of those of the Queen's subjects who are upon the spot, and who, whether willing or unwilling, able or unable, are thus left to an enforced discretion in the case. 7. That the Colonial Office is not now in consonance with our institutions generally, some reconstruction having become necessary in the direction of increased publicity and responsibility. As that office now stands, with a vast and diversified correspondence, not systematically published, but only occasionally or partially so, or long after publicity is of much, if any* value; the colonial questions that arise from time to time are pratically controlled by the permanent under-secretariafc — a body wholly unrepresentative, irresponsible, and, in an official capacity, as before the public, unknown ; and, however unexceptionable in a private and individual capacity, liable to the official bias and prejudice of all long-contiiiuod unchecked authority. 8. That, in the interests alike of this country and the colonies, the cause of emigration is one of primary importance ; that, although the control and management of the vast Crown domain of the colonial waste lands, has, for the convenience and advantage of both parties, 'j r 1 ! .! i.le over to the respective colonies, ti; ■->,• Kinds are still under the Queen's government, and are practically as much as ever open to our emigrating eouutrymen ; and that it would well become the government of this country to consider the means of a more active intervention in the great national concern of emigration. The Chairman. — It had been mooted that the question would be asked, what they wanted. They wanted reform in the Colonial Office, and they did not want to be deprived of their right as citizens of the great British Empire. After a long discussion Mr. Goodliffe moved, and Mr. Labilierc seconded, " That the resolutions now before the meeting be considered seriatim at the weekly meeting of the colonists and others interested in colonial questions." An amendment was moved that the resolutions b" referred to a committee to recast them, and ou a division the resolution was Carrie J. Sir G hough Grey said the important question to determine was, in his mind, the status of a British colony. Could a colony bo got rid of without an act of parliament. He apprehended that there was a lime when no minister would have dared to propose to cut, ofF a colony without the sense of the nation had been taken. The real point he wished to get at was, what was the real connection between the colonies and Great Britain ; and could any subject of the Crown at his pleasure separate n colony from Great Britain, against the wish of the inhabitants. After some further discussion, Mr. Wilson moved " That the President of the Colonial Society be communicated with to inquire what progress is being made with the intended deputation to Lord Granville, and that the gentlemen originally appointed ou the deputation be authorised to add to their number." He asked gentlemen willing lo form part of the deputation to give in their names. The resolution was ultimately agreed to, and tho meeting adjourned for a week.