The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 597, 24 July 1858, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times.

Saturday, July 2teh. Amongst the many measures introduced daring- the present session, the "BBa r of Islands Settlement Bill" deserves more than a passing- notice, from a peculiar feature that it introduces in the colonization of New Zealand. It is thereb} r proposed to form a new township in the Bay of Islands, for the promiscuous occupation of Europeans and Natives, so as. to assimilate the pursuits, and associate the interests of both races with the view of gradual amalgamation. Whether or not this scheme will turn out an Utopian chimera remains to be seen in the working' out of the new experiment. That it will'temporarily flatter and interest the native mind throughout that and the surroundingdistricts of YVaimate, Hokianga, Wangaroa, and Monganui there can be no doubt ; but when the novelty of the experiinet wears away, leaving the permanent success of the scheme dependent sole!}- upon the energy and perseverence of the population, the result, in our opinion, wears an over sanguine aspect in the imaginations of the j Ministry and most of their supporters. The desired effect, —an amalgamation of races, —is, to say the least, a visionary; one, where neither traditions, habits, associations, nor (except rarely) pursuits and ideas assimilate. Intermarriage has been historically the most powerful ag-ent of similar amalgamations, but this agency cannot be brought to bear upon the present scheme, for no white woman will have a Maori for a husband, although there are a few instances of European men having- Maori wives. Again, the habitual inertness and want of constant application in any given pursuit, that almost invariably characterise the native race will ultimately become a clog on the exertions of their European neighbours, rather than a living energy, as anticipated, to forward the advancement of the anomalous city of compromise.

There is no doubt that the Maories will eagerly purchase allotments in the new township, for they are intelligent enough to appreciate the prudence of early investments of that nature; but what improvements will they undertake on these allotments ? Nothing beyond some wretched wharies, surrounded with " tie-ups," or, at the best, palings to secure their potatoes, cabbages, and onions, —thus leavingunseemly and unprofitable gaps between the neat mansions of the Europeans; unless, indeed, as is more likely,—they will let their allotments out on long leases to the more enterprising race, and thus annihilate the veiy object of the scheme. It will be seen from our report of the debate on tßis question, that great stress was laid on the retrogressive state of the Bay of Islands, and on the fnct that the Missionaries favoured the project. These are questions, however, that can hardly be argued fairly in the Northern Island. There the influence of the Missionaries, for good or evil, is so infused throughout every department, and grade of society, that they can ad libitum, give a bias to any measures that concern the natives. There are many well-informed men who are inclined to doubt the beneficial effects of such political influence. They say that the non-progress of the Bay of Islands is owing, in a great measure, to the Missionaries themselves who, together with other old land claimants, 1 occupy most of the available land fronting tae Bay; and a great portion is locked from improvement for some years to come, by a kind of entail until the last of a given number of Missionaries' children come of age. The means of attaining the necessary funds are but vaguely elicited in the debate, and therefore we "can hardly discuss the question of expenditure, without turther information, although it must be °ne °L tlie m°st important features in the bill.

_ Another argument,—and that a very significant one to the Northern numbers —has been ingeniously advanced by the Ministry as a sure bait for the Auckland support, —that of weighing down the southern influence by enhancing that of the Bay of Islands, and thereby rendering Auckland socially a more central position for the seat of Government. Although the Colonial Secretary does not give this as a primary reason for the introduction of the bill, he gives it as a good collateral argument; and coming from the ministry the Northern members will very naturally use it to their own advantage in the vexed question referred to. However these things may. be, we do not agree _ with those who are inclined to

discuss the measure, as a question between the General and Provincial Governments. The real point of inquiry is whether it is a measure conducive alike to the interests of Europeans and Maories. On this ground the matter should be discussed. We give the General Government credit for a bon;1 fide wish to ameliorare our relations with the Native race. The question of land purchase will probably be simplified. The settlers of the North are, of course, far better informed on such a question as this than ourselves. We cannot, however, but feel grave doubts as to the ultimate success of such a scheme as the one now before us. Oar experiment may be useful.