IMPORTANT INTELLIGENCE.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 136, 12 October 1844, Page 1

IMPORTANT INTELLIGENCE.

We extract the following important intelligence from a second edition of the Southern Cross of the 14th ultimo, a copy of which was brought here in the Sir John Franklin from New Plymouth. It is also stated, in a letter from that settlement, that the Government expenditure is to be forthwith reduced to £16,000 per annum. "FREE TRADE. TOTAL ABOLITION OF THE CUSTOMS. " For the sake of our friends at a distance, and especially in the adjacent colonies, we have deemed it advisable to publish this second edition, to convey to them the important intelligence that the Government, in consequence of the present peculiar state of the colony, have determined on the immediate abolition of the Customs, and the establishment of Free Trade throughout the colony. For the purpose of carrying out the views of the Government in this respect, the members of the Legislative Council are to be again assembled on Thursday first. In addition to the circumstances detailed in this and former numbers of this journal, certain other events, such as the breaking up of the New Zealand Company, and the ruinous consequences to be apprehended to their settlers therefrom, have led the Government to the conclusion that nothing short of the total abolition of every restriction on the commerce of the colony could prevent the repetition of serious quarrels and disturbaocea-&n the partujf the native population, and mitigate, if not avert, the ruin in which the cessation of the Company's operations is likely to involve the inhabitants of the southern settlements. To our own mind, these restrictions have all along appeared to be one of the deepest roots of evil in New Zealand ; and we are happy to perceive that his Excellency, after having in person visited the various settlements, and after having inquired with the utmost minuteness into the condition of the inhabitants, both European and native, has arrived at the same conclusion, and has wisely and promptly determined upon the application of the only remedy which can save the colony in its present unhappy condition.

" The effects of such a measure, we have no hesitation in believing, will be that of restoring a large amount of comfort, if not prosperity, before a few months shall elapse, by the impetus which it must necessarily give to our trade and commerce ; but it will also immediately and decidedly act beneficially by upholding the confidence and inspiring the hopes of the settlers, as well as by removing the chief cause of complaint on the part of the aboriginal population. While the most urgent necessity has forced the Local Government at last to adopt a measure which has been so often, so frequently, and so earnestly recommended by every person competent to judge and to advise on the. state of the colony, we most nevertheless give the A present Governor the greatest credit for thejprompt, decided, and politic manner in which he has set about removing the mass of mischief in which the colony had been overwhelmed by his predecessors. Since the commencement of this journal, we may with honesty assert that this is perhaps the only measure of the Government of New Zealand whioh meeti with our unqualified approbation; and, if we should never obtain another, we kWw Unit it ifsoffident to establish the prosperity of tfee eoloay and to connect the name of Captain Fitsßoy with its best interests." .