The Lyttelton Times. Wednesday, July 18.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 283, 18 July 1855, Page 5

The Lyttelton Times. Wednesday, July 18.

Our readers have formerly seen an extract from the letter published below from the Colonial Minister to His Excellency the officer administering the Government. When that extract appeared in the New Zealand Gazette, we remarked upon the probability that in that portion of it which had been kept back, there were still stronger expressions,of disapproval of the policy which His Excellency and his advisers had thought fit to adopt during the last sessions of the General Assembly. So severe a reproof, however, as is conveyed in that despatch was scarcely expected from the Colonial office even on the occasion of the total misgovernment of a colony. The letter itself requires no comment. It is remarkable that the Colonial Minister goes out of his way to treat in the most sarcastic manner the Wakefield policy which His Excellency was weak enough to'father in the extraordinary address which ushered in the second session of the Assembly ; that address which was concocted by Messrs. Jerningham Wakefield, Forsaith, Travers, and Me Andrew, under the superintendence of Mr. Edward Gibbon Wakefield. The mingled amusement and indignation which the formation

of the 24 'hour ministry occasioned will be fresh in. the recollection of our readers. They left their address as a token whereby the colony might remember them. Sir George Grey's remark upon the inconvenience attending its adoption by His Excellency is perhaps the best, certainly the most fitting comment upon its absurdity. The resolute stand made by the constitutional party in the General Assembly in the face of every discouragement has earned the reward which it deserved. Sooner or later the principles advocated by them were sure to triumph. That the friends of New Zealand in England should have applauded them is no subject for wonder ; but the testimony borne to their soundness by the Colonial Office is more than could be expected, and is a matter for gratulation, inasmuch as it gives a promise of better days to come. " Downing-street, Bth December, 1854. " Sir, —-I have to acknowledge your despatches of the numbers and dates specified in the margin, reporting the proceedings which have taken place in the General Assembly of New Zealand on the subject of the future Executive Government of the colony. As regards the most important portion of that subject I have taken the earliest opportunity of informing you that Her Majesty's Government have no objection whatever to offer to the establishment of the system known as " Responsible Government" in New Zealand. They have no reason to doubt that it will prove the best adapted for developing the interests, as well as satisfying the wishes, of the community. Nor have they any desire to propose terms, or to lay down restrictions, on your assent to the measures which may be necessary for that object, except that of which the necessity appears to be fully recognised by the General Assembly, namely, the making provision for certain officers who have accepted their offices on the equitable understanding of their permanence, and who may now be liable to removal. The only officers mentioned in your despatches as likely.to fall within this category are the Colonial Secretary and Treasurer, and the Attorney- General: nor am I myself aware of any others ; but I no not wish to fetter your discretion, if further consideration makes it in your opinion desirable to alter the list. " Should the arrangeuents made for this purpose be in your judgment satisfactory, you are authorised to admit at once the new holders of office under the responsible system, reporting their names for confirmation in the usual manner. There will be no occasion on this supposition, for ii further reference to-the home Government before the change is carried into effect. " But if the arrangements proposed should not meet with your approval, which I trust will not be the case, tlie appeal to the home Government for ultimate decision will be unavoidable. " The preliminary steps for the introduction of Responsible Government being thus few and plain. Ido not understand the opinion which some portions of this correspondence appear to convey, and which is supported by the language of your address of Ausrust, 1854, that legislative enactment by the General Assembly is required to bring the change imo operation. Iv this country the recognised plan of Parliamentary government, by which ministers are responsible, to Parliament, and their continuance in office practically depends on the votes of the two houses, rests on no written law, but ou usage only. In carrying similar systems into effect in the North American colonies, legislation has indeed been uecessary to make a binding arrangement for the surrender by the Crown of the territorial revenue, which has generally formed part of fthe scheme, and for the establishment of a civil list; but not for any other purpose. In New Zealand the territorial revenue has already been ceded t<> the Assembly, and Her Majesty's Government have no terms u>ipropose with reference to the Civil List already established. Unless, therefore, there are local laws in existence which wou'd be repugnant to the new system, legislation seems uncalled for except for ihe very simple purpose of securing their pensions to retiring officers. And if uncalled for, such legislation is objectionable ; because the laws so 'enacted would probahly stand in the way of the various partial changes which it might be necessary to adopt in the de-

tails of a system in its nature liable to much modification. " The shortness of the lime at my comirand, as I am anxious to answer your despatches by the present mail, prevents me from entering on the details of the narrative contained, in your despatches: nor indeed does there appear any necessity for my doing so. lam satisfied that .you acted to the best of your judgment undertbe circumstances in which you were placed ; and it gives me much pleasure to find that the ultimate result of the deliberations of the General Assembly has been the adoption of the ordinary and most satisfactory course, namely, that of referring the question of Responsible Government to Her Majesty's Ministeis for complete adjustment, instead of putting it partially in practice, aud leaving some important questions bearing on it undecided. " There are passages in your Address already referred, to, of the 31st of August, to the General Assembly after its prorogation to which I feel it my duty shortly to advert. " You appear in that address to have especially called the attention of the Assembly to the expediency of legislation on a subject, upon which they could not by the Constitution legislate at all. I refer to the proposal for rendering the Legislative Council elective. It is also extremely doubtful whether the proposed measure for authorising the Superintendents to dissolve Provincial Councils, a function reserved by Sec. 13 of the Constitutional Act to the Governor, is within the power of the General Assembly. So too the constituting Auckland as a separate Government under a Lieutenant Governor, and with exclusive powers of legislation, if I rightly understand what is meant by the proposal, is also a measure which it would be beyond the power of that body to carry into execution. You appear also to propose the foundation of a hew federal Convention (apart from the General Assembly) which would be an innovation irreconcileuble with the existing fundamental law. " I do not now enter on the question of the expediency of these several schemes, but T am anxious to call your attention to the inconvenience of inviting the Legislature to originate measures to which the Crown could, not asseut, as such assent would be invalid. " The views of Her Majesty's government on these'points will be communicated to the Governor, who will, I hope, shortly proceed to New Zealand, but as you have yourself conducted the proceedings reported in your present Despatches, and I am very desirous to avoid unnecessary delay. I have no hesitation in authorising you to act in person on my present instructions." " I have, &c, &c, G. Grey."