General Assembly of New Zealand.

New Zealander, Volume 11, Issue 979, 1 September 1855, Page 2

General Assembly of New Zealand.

IIOU E OF REPIII SENTAI IVES. Fnuuv, August 24. The House met pursuant to ail, urnmeat. Present —The Speaker and seventei n member-. The SPEAKER having read prayers, took the chair at 12 o'clock. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmee!.

PETITIONS. Mr. FORSAITII presented a petition from the Freedom of Religion Society against a grant of 1200/., which was placed on the Estimates toward* the support of the Bishopric of New Zealand. Petition received and read. PENSIONERS* PETITIONS. Mr. BEWELL rose, pursuant to notice, to move—"The consideration of the Petition of Pensioners presented by him on the 21-st." lie would direct the serious attention of honorable members to the prayer of this petition. lie would move that it-be read. Agreed to —Petition read. Mr. SEWELL was not quite certain whether this was a matter that the House could entertain, but would like to take the sense of the House on the question. If the principle of compensation is to be admitted at all, this is certainly a case where at least some enquiry ought to be made. These men, of their own free will, had immigrated to this country under a positive compact with the Home Government ; that, Upon their arrival, each pensioner was to be presented with an acre of ground and a cottage ; if any Government works were going on they were to be employed ; if not, they had permission to hire themselves out. Such inducements as these being held out to them, and then ultimately not to have their expectations realised, was certainly a case for immediate enquiry; but whether such came within the cognizance of this House, he could not say ; it might properly belong to her Majesty's military service; and if such is the case, we have no right to interfere in the matter. They (the Pensioners) were brought to this country in the double character of military men and settlers, which made it a matter of doubt as to what law they were amenable, whether civil or military. Not touching upon military affairs, he believed the House could entertain the enquiry as to their being deprived of the tand and cottage. From the conviction that they were honest and industrious men, he would press his motion, believing, no doubt, that some good would ultimately accrue from it. If private as well as public grievances are to be at all entertained, this ought not to be an exception ; hut they wanted no compensation, but merely an enquiry into the cause of the deprivation of their rights. He believed there was a ease made out, and would be glad to hear any honorable gentleman throw some light upon the matter. Mr. BACOT said the case was even worse than the hon. member had represented it; he believed the original cause of grievance was that the men should attend parade every Sunday, no matter what distance they had tp come. In one case, he knew one man who had walked thirty miles to attend, which after working six days, was not a trifling matter ; but this would not satisfy the commanding officer; if the man was too ill to attend, he must sens] a medical certificate, which to procure, he would very likely have to walk a similar distance. Instructions have lately come out also for putting them under stoppages, which was a retaining one-half of their pay until the expenses of sending them and their wives and children to this country had been defrayed. Ho hoped the hon. member would consider it his duty to have a full inquiry instituted. Dr. LEE would support the motion, but would prefer having the petition refeired to a Select Committee. Mr. MERRIMAX thought that it would not be right to allow the matter to drop by simply printing the petition. The petitioners had undoubtedly laid before the house a case of grievance, and he concurred that the house should not he preven ed by any consideration as to the duration of the session from at once enquiring into the complaint of the Petitioners. He was prepared at one • to move an amendment to the motion of the hon. member for Christelurch (Mr. Sewell) that the petition be referred to a Sa'ect Committee for their Report, but considered that it would be more courteous to that hon. member to give him, as the mover of the question, Vlie opportunity of appointing the committee, and unless he adopted the suggestion, he (Mr. M.) would move the proposed amendment.

Mr. CARLETON could bear testimony to the injustice of the treatment received by ihese men ; be believed that the non-attendance at Parade on Sunday was the excuse made for depriving them of their land and house. It was right that it certain agreements were entered into, the Government were equally bound with the Pensioners to fulfil their part ol the contract. They were not to be placed more than five miles from any town ; but to bis own knowledge, some were mo r e than fifteen miles, which as the Government had broken one part of the agreement, it could not be expected that the Pensioners would submit, after a hard week's work, to be dragged thirty miles on a Sunday. Me would support the motion. Mr. TRAVERS would not object to the motion, if he thought the House had any right to interfere with the military authorities, and the only tiling that could be done would be m the way of compensation ; the enquiry might tend to substantiate these chzrges, but there was no evidence, and if application is made to the military authorities, they wii sav it is not the business of this house to interfere with their affair c , and refuse any information. The House ought to be careful how -itch matters are interfered with. He regretted much having to oppose this motion, bul he was clearly ol' opinion that ibis House cannot be made a ' our! of Enquiry into duties, the performance "f which is a ma r ter entirely belonging to the military authorities at home. Mr. PORTER did not agree with the last speaker : it was a matter which the authorities here ought io investigate. This injustice was committed here, and the House ought to come to some resolution in the

matter. Mr. BROWN considered that the motion had better be postponed, as nothing could be done, until further information concerning this affair was procured. Mr. FORSAITII said that the province has interest in this body of men, and their welfare should not be lightly dealth with; they came out to promote the interest o! the colony, by adding to the number of its producers, and augmenting the amount of labour; many of them arc now in a good position, and have been useful to the province ; and as we know that the conditions o! their agreement have not been fulfilled, 1 t this House institute a proper inquiry. The House cannot consistently say it has done its duty, unless some steps are taken to promote their claim, and place it fairly and fully before the authorities, lie would support the motion. Mr. HART opposed the motion : it was too delicate a position for this House to take upon itself to enquire if the military authorities have performed their duty. Honorable members, lie thought, were not competent to be judges of discipline between officers and men. Such power should only be invested in military officers, Mr. O'NEILL was sorry to hear hon. member* attempt to throw cold water upon the proposed investigation ; if it goes on, there can be no doubt but that good will ultimately result from it. MESSAGES. Messages from his Excellency having been announced, lsis Excellency's Private Secretary was introduced, who delivered the following Messages to the Speaker, who proceeded to read them to the House : Message No. 3G—Enclosed a recommendation from his Excellency that the sum of 500/. be placed on the Supplementary Estimates for distribution amongst the oilicers and crew of 11. M. S. " Pandora ;" also 5001. for the year 1856. Referred to Committee of Supply. 37—To place on the Supplementary Estimates the sum of 601. for increase of salaries. 38—Covered copy of correspondence respecting Crown giants. Mr. HART, with reference to this Message, would observe that it has been under consideration by his Excellency's legal adviser to introduce a Bill to meet the difficulty named in this correspondence. The hon. member then gave notice of his intention to move that an Address be presented to his Excellency, praying he would send down a Bill to that effect. 3'J—Enclosed a statement of an account of the disbursements connected with the survey of land and collection of customs. —Referred to Finance Committee, 40—Enclosed three returns from Mr. Commissioner M'Lean, respecting purchase of laud and returns from the Surveyor-General.—Referred to Finance Committee. ■H —Enclosed a correspondence between the Colonial Secretary of New South Wales to Colonial Secretary of New Zealand, with reference to inter-colonial postal communication. DEBATE RESUMED. Mr. SEWELL, in reply, said be would waive any impression of Ida own in favour of any the house might entertain in favor of a Select Committee being formed. In taking their land and cottages, the military authorities ham assumed a civil power, as these Pensioners cannot be called upon lor duty after a period of seven years, so that, no doubt, thev are now entitled to civil rights ; and it becomes this house, being a civil power, to enquire into this unmistakable case of grievance. He would, in cone usion, withdraw his former motion, and move that a Select Coinmi! ;ee be appointed, to consist of the following members —Messrs. Forsaith, ftlaokay, Cadton, Taylor. and Si well. Mr. TRAVERS proposed, as an amendment, the following ;

" That "this house has 'no power to entertain the question involved in the petition." He considered that this matter is entirely drawn from our control by the military authorities, and it is the business of the Governor to see that a right conclusion has been come to in thi« case; the House ought to pray his Excellency to lay on the table any available information on the subject. Dr. LEE would beg leave to propose the following—"That five Commisssioners be appointed to make full inquiry into the grievances of the Pensioners " Mr. MERRI.MAN considered that it was a very objectionable course to adopt, for the house to delegate its power to any Commissioner. Dr. Lee's motion was then put and lost. The original motion was agreed to. APPROPRIATION BILL. Mr. SEWELL moved that the Appropriation Bill be read a second time. Agreed to. Upon the motion of Mr. O'NEILL, that this Council does now adjourn until Tuesday, in order to give hon. members an opportunity of attending the funeral of the late lamented Colonel Ilulme— Mr. SEWELL said, considering the amount of business to be gone into, no time ought to be lost, and would move the adjournment until Monday. Mr. TRAVERS would not object to name Saturday, providing hon. members could arrange to make a house. It was ultimately agreed that the house stood adjourned until Monday next. Monday, August 27. There not being a sufficient number of members present to form a quorum, the House was adjourned until Tuesday, at 12 o'clock. Tuesday, August 28, 1855. The House met pursuant to adjournment. Present the Speaker and 18 members. Mr. MERRI.MAN would take the opportunity, previous to the business of the House being entered upon, of correcting an error in the Journ lis of the House, containing the division list upon the Pensioners' lilll. His name was not down as having voted, whereas several hon. members present could testify to to the fact that he was amongst the noes, and voted accordingly. Several members having confirmed the honorable member's statement— The SPEAKER observed, that according to a rule of the House of Commons, ifuny error should occur in taking down the names on a division, and it was afterwards discovered, by a a motion of tbe.house it could be inserted. Motion put and carried. MESSAGES From his Excellency were announced and handed to the Speaker, who read the following : No. 42—Enclosing copy of communication from Mr. Commissioner Mc Lean, respecting purchase of Native Lands. No.43—Transmitting, in compliance with a resolution of the House, copy of a report from Mr. Geo. Cooper, upon the Native disturbances at Taranaki. N0.44 —Transmitting, in compliance with a resolution of the House, passed last session, information received by the Government relative to the administration of Native reserves. NEW ZEALAND COMPANY'S DEBT. Mr. HART obtained permission to postpone the motion standing in his name, with reference to the above, until Friday next. NEW ZEALAND FLAX. Mr. BACOT, pursuant to notice, rose to move—- " That an humble Address be presented to his Excellency requesting him to place a sum ef money on the Estimates for the purpose of conducting a scientific enquiry into the plans of Baron de Thierry and other individuals, for the cultivation and preparation of the New Zealand Flax." He would impress upon the House the necessity of bringing to maturity the plans of Baron de Thierry for the preparation of such a valuable article as flax. If these plans were carried out he did not doubt but that a vast amouut of benefit would be derived by the country.

Mr. HART did not consider that that House was in a state to entertain the motion, and too much caution could not be exercised in making further additions to the estimates. No doubt the maturity of these plans would lead to favorable results, but as it was a matter for private speculation he would oppose the mation. Mr. TRAVERS would also oppose the motion. Almost precisely a similar plan had been carried on in the preparation of flax at Nelson for iO or 12 years; and, the cost is not so much as the Baron's to whom he pointed out that it was the same. He had paid some attention to this matter, and no doubt at some future 5 period, it would become a very serious item in our exports. There was no scientific inquiry necessary, as the fact ha.: already been proved ; and, as it was a matter within the province of commercial enterprize, the House could not entertain it. Mr. MACKY agreed with the last speaker. Last sea on a large quantity of flax was sent from his ()4r. Macky's) property p'epa ed ia the same way as the Bar n's, but by a cheaper method. Mr. SEWELL opposed 'he motion. The motion was negatived. ACTS OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Mr. TRAVERS, pursuant to notice, rose to move—"That in the opinion of this House it is expedient tha* copies of all Acts of the General Assembly should be forwarded to Justices of the Peace and other Public OiKcers throughout the Colony." He proposed this motion in order that the ends of justice should he properh met throughout the Colony. There were Justices of the Peace for th** Provinces, and also for the Colony, the majority of whom never received copies of the Acts passsed by the General Assembly, and consequently must often be placed in very difficult circumstances when called upon to administer laws of which they were not cognizant. The expense of forwarding these copes would be compensated for by the amount of beneficial results derived rom legal judicial administration. Ho would, while upon that subject, direct the attention of the House to the fact, that the preparation of any acts to be brought forward does not fall to the Clerk of the House but to the Colonial Secretary. He did not consider it right that duties should bt imposed upon those whose province was not to attend to them Mr. MI.RRIMAN would impress upon the House the consideration of the serious expense which would be incurred by the adoption of this resolution. How many justices of the peace never sit on the Bench except it may be for the purpose of licensing some pot house. As a member of the legislature, he had never received a copy of any a«t. He would not object to the motion when thej could be forwarded with a greater regard to economy. Mr. CARLETON said that there might be a few who did not attend to their judicial duties, but he did not consider it right that the majority should be kept in ignorance of the law on that acoount. Mr. HART said, that throughout the country there were many, no doubt, who ought to have these documents, particularly those who had not received a legal education. Mr. O'NEILL considered that in the appointment of Justices, patronage had been extended with a lavish hand towards many who were not qualified to administer the law. By all means he would support the motion, particularly on that account. Mr.TRAVERS, in reply, said the expenses would not be so much as lion members supposed. The first cost was of the most importance, and little more was required to produce a number than the expense of the first impression ; and hon. gentlemen must remember that a magistrate administering justice illegally is liable to an action. There have been many instances where gentlemen have refused to act, from their imperfect knowledge of the law. Agreed to. MILITARY PROTECTION' TO NEW PLYMOUTH. Mr. TRAVERS rose to move the following Address to his Excellency the Officer administering the Government in reply to his Excellency's Messages numbered 2, 13, 15, ~8, and 33. To his Excellency the Officer administering the Government of New Zealand. We, the Commons of New Zealand, in the House of Representatives assembled, respectfully beg leave to address your Excellency in reply ro Messages numbered 2, 3, 1 j, -tt, and 33. presented to this House on the subject of the disturbed state of the Natives of \eu- Plymouth, of the steps taken l>y your Excellency in relation thereto, and of the provision to be made for defraying the expenses :o be incurred in affording military protection to the European population of that Province, and more particularly, of the cost of creeling barracks, and otherwise providing accommodation for the troops. We thank your Excellency for the i formation conveyed to us by these Messages, and assuro your Exoe'icncy that we have given to the matters referred to in them the most careful and anxious consideration. We beg to renew to your Excellency the expression ol our deep regret at the unhappy occurrenees detailed in \our Excellency's message numbered 2, but we

eel thnt in the present position of the H.ase hav regard more particularly to the fact, that the contt g r withheld from the Legislature, we should not b. w fied in expressing any opinion as to the cJZl'r policy to be pursued by the Government in dl£ with them. "eating We are the further induced to refrain from exm*,any such opinion in consequent of the absp g during the present Session, of the great majority of Representatives of the Southern Provinces. Whilst we admit the absolute necessity of nro»".r for the defence of the Province of New Plymouth, " 8 feel ourselves compelled respectfully to decline for'tT reasons above submitted, to appropriate any portion f the public revenue towards ihe expenses to be curred in the erection of barracks for the troons '*"" otherwise affording military protection to the Eu a! pean population of that Province. We sincerely trust, however, that the measures tak by your Excellency will lead to the beneficial result" mentioned in the Address by which your Excelle was pleased to open the present Session. ° e ' Two questions were involved in the considerat' of this matter—first, the question of the policv lr !° n was pursued; second, the question of the eip ei *' incurred in the defence of the European popul a t': S * of one of the provinces of the colony. The quest' 00 of policy was the more important of the two 1° order to arrive at some estimate of the p esentst t" of the native question, it was necessar. to go to a date anterior to that at which the outbreak comenced, as he believed.—and such was the opinion th i had been expressed by some hon. members in th t house, better able to form a judgment on the pojA —that the circumstances which led to the prese' J disturbed state of the province of New P' mouth might be traced to a very early date. B t he would leave those hon. members the task of traci the original causes of the present state of affair The policy pursued by Sir George Grey in the dis of native questions was set forth in two despatches, the first of which, addressed to Earl Grey, was writ'e in July 1849. In that despatch a passage occurred which, though somewhat long, was necessary for thelucidation of the subject, and he would therefore read it to the House. " In determining the line of policy the Government should pursue in reference to the first class of the difficulties above-named—that is, in reference to war which existed, and the rebellien which apptired likely to breai. out, it appeared to be clearly the duty of the Government, in a firm and decided manner to crush the existing rebellion, and to put down without delay any disturbances which might afterwards break out; but yet it also seemed clear that its ruling line of policy should be, not to embark in any operation in which an absolute certainty did not exist of a speedy and complete success, and rather to delay engaging in hostilities which might appear necessary than hurriedly embark in any contest, the retult of which cauid not be foreseen." Sir George, after stating in another part of the despatch, the loss that a native war would entail on the mother-country, further said—- •' Mercy, justice, and prudence, all appeared therefore to point to delay as the general rule on which the Government should act. This line of policy has therefore been in all instances perseveringlv pursued and the result has quite equalled the anticipation, for whilst the rebellion has been crushed, in as far as human judgment can form an estimate, no probability ousts of any extensive rebellion ever hereafter breaking out in this country ; and even should such disturbances again unhappily break out. our knowledge of the country is now so much more accurate, our alliances with the natives have become so much more numerous, our military roads have been so far completed, (Laughter), the number of persons acquainted with the native language and customs has increased, and the natives' .-applies of arms and ammunition have been so much diminished, that we should enter on such a combat with infinitely greater advantage than we formerly possessed." MESSAGES Haying arrived from his Excellency, the Speaker proceeded to read — No. 45—Covered copies of correspondence between Vaccination Board and Legislative Council. 46—Covered copies of correspondence respecting the claim of '•'ergeant Bacot, which has been forwarded to the S;eretary of War, who will forward his decision upon th-* matter. DEBATE RESUMED. On referring to the second despatch, of which he (Mr. Travers) had spoken,—addressed by Sir George Grey to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, en the subject of the new constitution, he found that hii Excellency adverted lo his former despatch in thete words :

" In further explanation of the necessity which exists for providing ample funds for native purposes, I beg to refer yonr lordship to my despatch (that which he, Mr. Travers before read), and I would •urtber request that that portion of the despatch I allude to together with this despatch, be laid before an/ persons required to report on the plan now transmitted for your lordship's approval. Because I believe that the peace and prosperity of the colony, and the continued rapid advancement of the natives in civilisation, are in a great degree to be attributed to a rigid and consistent adherence to the line of policy laid do*n in that despatch." He (Mr. Travers) so far agreed with the views there laid down by Sir George Grey, that he approved of t temporising poiicy when the Government hai sufficient power, and if circumstance* rendered any oiher coure aivisable, to act with promptness, certainty, and vigour. W:th power, at its back he believed that, net only would a temporizing policy do no harm, but that it would lead to much good. In proceeding to examine the question before it, the House would have to enquire in the first p.ace whether the policy of the government, in respect to the native disturbances, had been m strict accordance with the policy laid dovu. by Sir George Grey ; and, in the »econd place, would consider whether, under the circumstances, it was net necessary for the welfare of the whoie community that the policy so laid down should have been entirely reversed. But before proceeding »o far, he wouid call the attention of the House to a remarkable circumstance. It would be remembered that last year Lod Lyttelton made certain charges in the House of Lords against Sir George Grey, and, in support of th is charges, proposed an address to her Majesty, praying for copies of the instructionsgiven to Sir George Grey respecting legislation upon the waste Lands, The Duke of Newcastle took up the defence of Sir George Grey, and it was a singular fact that, at the very time the "Duke of Newcastle was speaking the words be r.-ould now read, the outbreak at Taranaki was UklBJ place. Tln» Duke said : •• When Sir George Grev applied for leave of abienct I wrote in reply, giving him leave, b-it upon condition that he should "be assured the state of the native popElatiou was sound, and that there was no apprehension of insurrectionary movements as on a former occasion in consequence of these free institutions being gwen to the Colony. Sir George Grey atttnded literally to these instructions, and he left the Colony in a iW> l profound peace and contentment." - t The Colony was then said to be in profound pesce. and his Grace was probably under the impression W the colony, even at the time when he spoke, »«" state of profound peace. Yet there was now a senou outbreak if not actual war in one of the most defenceless of its Provinces. He (Mr. Travers) would no* come to the events themselves, and after referring them would apply to these events the pohev mat n*» been pursued. He found that the disturbances an commenced during the 'last session of the uen Assembly. He found that about the 14th August 1-54, the Government had received intimation on outbreak, and had addressed a letter to the Kesw» Magistrate, at New Plymouth, requiring J? for ?*™ as to whether what they had heard was faundea truth. Shortly after, the Government recei a report from the Resident M ** ! A and also one from Mr. Cooper, « y D.strict Commissioner. From these reports it wo apper that the dis-jute originated in a contest - to a block of land. The report of Mr. < oop« «» onlv been laid on the tab e of the Mouse l"* 101 /' j that he had not examined it thoroughly, but that Mr. Cooper thus'stated the circums.aiKes.- '• The late lamentable affair among the *™fjg natives took i;s rise from a quarrel between . Waiaua and Topia (one of Katat ..re's party; « o „, oct right to cultivate a piece of land, near \ne_ben Rawiri had sown it with wheat, and 'lopia m > • the see.!, ploughed up the land and plan tea potatoes. Upon this, Rawiri. determined to w land contained within the Block paid Br Jgyj McLean in Wellington, in Jan. IS'*. ana c " , by from the Hua purchase at Katatore's request Rawi i's advice! I accepted Hawiri's offer on his undertaking to cut the eastern J™ nd . ar) a . sur ed far inland as the Maiongana river. Tan ne ,£ flM . ma had no hesitation in undertaking, » t g te J' ua # tore's opposition. * * * It was accordingiy £ ged, ..fler two days discussion, that * eluie J commenced on Tim sday, :ird instant (Augus , on which ,(uy I was to meet them on the grouna ponied by a surveyor." , ]j dtf Hut he found that Mr. Cooper did not * cause of Kak.at;ire's opposition to the ««Hi g block in question, the ex ent to which tns tr *eut, nor any of the previous circ ''«s"" C " this opposition. It waagentljr dealt *iw j hJ tleman-gingerl)' treated, ho doubt, m reference

r of the business. He (Mr. Travers) found own P"L not till June, tSs*>,—till Major Nugent that t down that it was really known that the dis- *'*' i 1 existed between the parties for a long period p„te Ha" ac tual outbreak. It was but then made P reVloU t S hat Katatorc and his party had long denied known u _ viri , 0 out a line, and had detlared Mntenrion of resisting this act, at the cost, if neth„r , ires- jr e would call the particular of the House to that expression. It was not *' f « till the S7th of January-a mass of correstheretor (])e mean tf mt| been forwarded to P u r»ern.«enf,-that the whole facts were laid be'tbv the Native Secretary, in an able and lucid *°' e \_ o ne evidently, from the care and attention S which it was prepared, entitled to the greatest • m and consideration. In giving that statement, weigj u *" I found that the first affray, in V hj Rawiri l\\» native assessor.and six others had been Sfed by Kakatoreand party, arose from Rawiri atDtine to cut the boundary of a piece of land which {"had offered for sale to Mr- G. Cooper. It appears I t Kakatore had long ago stated his mteutiou of re- ! inin* this land, and had threatened to oppose any who should oiler to sell it. Rawiri, however, on count of some quarrel with Katatorc, proposed selling the land, and was directed by Mr Cooper to cut the boundary." The House would see that there was a complete and lvided difference between the statement of the DiaTrk Commissioner and that of the Native Secretary. And he would here remark upon the extraordinary Vumstance, that the earliest document ou the sub- • t should not have been laid on the table with the ficr papers, but withheld until that day, and then Llv produced in consequence of an express resolution of the House. The statement of Mr. Cooper was an attempt to throw all the blame from his own houlders. In advising the Government how to act, Miio- Nugent, though satisfied that there was a good deal of irritation in the native mind, was still of opinion that the policy of the Government -should bo a temporising policy. In his report he used the fob taring words in reference to the subject of lnterferenceon the part of the Government : '•The interference of the Government is vehemcntlv called for by Rawiri and his friends, who are the weaker party, and who are loud in their demands for arms ami ammunition, and also for troops. Un the contrary, the opposite party are as anxious that the Government should not interfere in the matter. I do not think that any danger is to be apprehended to the colonists and the settlement from these disturbances, so long as the Government and the colonists abstain from interference. The natives of llawiri's party would no doubt try to involve the GoTerumcnt in the quarrel, but I think the other party would be careful not to interfere with the settlement, as by £0 doing they would throw a preponderance into the hands of their opponents, if the Government were compelled to interfere, independently of which natives are very averse to giving the first cause of quarrel. The active and armed interference of the Government in these native quarrels would, I fear, he fatal to the settlement for some time to come, as the out-settlers would be compelled to concentrate themselves in the town for the protection of their wives and families, and their properties in the mean time would go to ruin." Oe the whole, the House would gather from this report that Major Nugent did not recommend that troops should be sent; and if the temporizing policy of Sir George Grey was conceived to be the wisest, the suggestions of the Native Secretary were good and deshable. Bur, on examining the various documents sent down, and in particular the letters from the various Chiefs, both friendly and hostile, the House would see that two distinct positions were taken. The natives who were friendly to the Europeans distinctly stated that the quarrel was not one of theirs, but one of the Europeans". They were carrying out the views of the agent appointed and autnorized by the Colonial Government—merely obeying his orders —when, in so doing, they were availed, and many of their friends murdered. They called on the Europeans to avenge the. murder of their relations. He believed—and he was justified in go saying by the statement of Major Nugent—that they "really were acting under the instructions of Mr. Cooper when the assault took place. The hostile natives, ou the other hand, say that the question between them and the Europeans is not a question of punishing a murderer, but one of whether the native lands will continue to be sold to Europeans, and that it is in defence of their right to hold their own land that they are preparing for war. These men were keen diplom nists. It would seem by their letters that they actually (to use a colonial phrase) gammoned the Government —gammoned it into a fancied security—into the idea that it exercised a decided control over the native population, and was able to preserve peace under all circumstances. It would appear that the sole object in view by the hostile chiefs, in inducing the Government to follow its own ;emporizing policy, was to give themselves time to form alliances throughout the country, and to concentrate their forces. The House would accordingly fiud that, so soon as the Ngatiruaniu and Otaki had decided on giving hi- support. Katatorc and his party threw off the mask, and said they were entering upon a war of principle. The interference of the Europeans was undoubted ; the Government could no more repudiate the acts of the Government agent than they could the New Zealand Company's debt. The great question now arose, What was to be done ? tfastb.3 temporizing policy to be pursued in the present complexion of afiairs ? The hon. member for Chriatchureh had called his attention to a circumstance which showed that the natives, in regarding Mr. Cooper, in his share of the transaction, as the authorized ag nt of the Government, and in viewing the quarrel as a European quarrel, were justified in such new by the subsequent conduct of the Government itself—its recognition, or ijuasi recognition, of the quarrel as its own. He found that Mr. Turton, the Weslcyan Missionary in New Plymouth, had t-k.cn upon himself to interfere in this matter, and had been actually complimented for such interference b;r the Colonial Secretary—an encouragement, certainly, to Mr. Turton to continue his interference, and to suppose that, whe her resulting in good or evil, his interference would continue to be acknowledged. What was Mr. Turton doing 1 Proud of his skill in *ar, he had suceeeded in inducing Arama Karaka to keep to the defence of his pah, and not wa-ste bis ammunition by playing at long bowls, but keep it for an evil day. Not only did Mr. Turton do this, but he actually took upon* himself to write to the Waikato tribe, requesting their interference and aid. What for!— simply to fight the aggressors as against the Europeans 1 Not at all. lie would read from Mr. Turton's own letter, ad published in the " Taranaki Herald":-

"The Ninia, July 17,1355. /O! Friends,"The Ngatinunuis have rushed upon thin Htrife. Some of them have already arrived, and others arc following after. If on'y one of them is killed, the Kst of the tribe fill rise up immediately to revenge »* death, the same as they did at the Mamaku. In 'flat case it is my opinion that this pah would fall; Wa then the town, with its inhabitants, would be destroyed, bec.iuse they have no protection. It is ay opinion that the English will be sacrificed by Ka«!<>re, that the land may be at liberty. Therefore it "that I add this my word to the voice of the chiefs, watyou should arise and come." He there clearly stated that the Europeans were in M»ge* as well as the friendly natives, and called "Pea the Waikatoß to come and aid them in their Ip pee. Nothing could be more clear than that Mr. 'Won, with a mistaken zeal fur the welfare of the "Ovince in which he resides, had, by requesting the werference of the Waikatos, clearly identified the *wopcans with the dispute. Such is the view that ten r U u- C chiefs themselves take. In a letter writtlioK irL ' mu Kingi, during the present month, to "euoveriior and the Superintendent of New Ply™u|>. that chief says not i 1 my good the Europeans. I will dißt" i e '" t or uan °y them, and though there is great existing, I will not interfere with them. "not heed Mr. Turton', mode of proceeding. I am jE™J&neved at his interference. I am sorry that * '. ' urt^ n Should have interfered in a matter conmTrt . e B » t « r M-" The same has also been reC • , upoll l, y Katatore. They profess to lament Was » t Ce of the Eo ">peans, which they say until«?" at a " c:lll ed for. In January last, and even intent- moUth o! Jul - V ' thc ' y Protended to have no b u t J l }? of fastening a quarrel upon the Europeans, TheVa.-i m ** a time, they were acquiring a force. Wii-- ■ " Don l SOu ' l S mM > &c.. to tlie survivors of hec-n t ( l' arty -" Wl 'y did tl *ey say sol Simply W»r!. .r' y lnten ued to destroy them. He (Mr-. Uetty ti ought lle uad now elearl y established the ti on i~. bc question was not purely a Native quesbly'iav. ° lU \ m which the Europeans were irrevocaCoQp e ,? lv , • The District Commissioner (Mr. repreh» n • * of all < aote '' in :l most unwise and 7f7i I,lamier - With the knowledge he posrS di ' state of Native feeling, and of the pre(Mr n l ' UtC botwe «*» Rawiri and Katatow, for him I{^: irit '' t0 havctakeil "POO himself to direct r° M act Wtt * c h was sure to end in some •hScd t ° f Loatilit y fiW» the opposite party, 1 the least, an utt-er want of discretion.

In the teeth of the repeated assertion of Katatorc that he would resiat a act of this nature at the peril of his life, Mr. Cooper not only directed Rawiri to perform that act, but, as we have seen, either accompanied or meant to accompany tho party. It, is not surprising that the agency of such a man should have been attended by the most serious consequences to this country. He (Mr. Travel could not find words sufficiently strong to express the impropriety of the conduct of that agent, aot only in bringing on this war, but in suppressing in his own report all tho circumstances which would have furnished valuable and tangible grounds for deciding the course of action to be pursued by the Government. He now came to consider the matter as it afleetcd the House. In the Address, he purposely abstained from expressing an opinion upon the couree of policy to be pursued. They could not iuterfere with the conduct of the Executive, except by remonstrance —probably vain remonstrance—and should not therefore be required to advise upon measures over"which they had no control. He had endeavoured to embody views which would be the opinion of the House as a collective body. The House had heard what Sir George Grey had said respecting the knowledge of the country that the Europeans possessed, the military roads of the colony, tho want of arms amongst the natives, and so on. From his account, one would imagine that, the Europeans were in a position at once to crush the hostile natives, even were they not the quiet and meek people he represented them to be. And if that was correct two years ago, it ought to be more correct now, and the Government should be in a better po itiou to act with vigour—to assort without fear or constraint the vaunted majesty of the law. When Katatorc committed that daring act of murderous aggression, the Government should, at any cost or sacrifice, have vindicated the majesty of the iaw by apprehending and punching tho guilty. And it was his (Mr. Travers') opinion that, if that course had been taken, looking at the small number then engaged, and' the tflfect such a process would have upon the native mind—the Government would have heard no more of a native outbreak. (Hear, hear.) If they had tried Katatore, and hanged him, if found guilty, such a course would have had far more cflcct than all the mercy and tenderness of such men as Sir George Grey. (Hoar, hear.) And he (Mr. Travers) would not say that the Government was not yet in a position to do so. It was true there were serious difficulties now in tho way—a greater number of natives wore embroiled—the quarrel had ramified itself throughout the most powerful tribes, and it was impossible to say in what condition the Province might be at that moment. No mail had arrived, or other intelligence been received; and as the mail that was then detained usually came through the territory of the Waikatos, there Avas too much reason to fear that all was not well. The war had now become one of principle. Tho Ngatiruanui on the one side, and the Otaki Chiefs on the other, had declared their positive intention of not permitting any further sales of land. There could be no doubt that they would maintain this position : and it was impossible to say what effect it might have upon the future policy of the colony. The European character was by no means raised in the native mind, for the natives had not been slow to perceive that, with the means to strike the blow, Government was afraid to do it. Notwithstanding all this, he (Mr. Travers) would be prepared to advise a vigorous policy, for the purpose of deciding whether or not the natives should be brought within the operation of the law from which they received protection. But the House could not be supposed to be responsible for any policy in the execution of which it had no voice ; nor could the House, as a body, be expected to suggest a policy which it could not be sure would be carried out in a proper way. What had been done was on tho responsibility alone of the Government. The Government had got the colony into a mess, and it was for it, and it only, to get it out of that mess. Had the Government intimated to the Assembly, during last session, that there was any probability ol these occurrences, he had no hesitation in saying that the Executive would now be in other hands. The Government knew, at that time, that a native war was impending, but beyond loose statements in the newspapers the House was in possesion of no information. The matter was treated lightly, mid the result w.is that the European population of New Plymouth were sitting on a volcano. Under the circumstances of uncertainty and alarm dial were created by the probabil.ty of the outbreak beebming more serious, were the Central Assembly called together for the purpose of discussing the question 1 No, they were called together for the mere purpose of pensioning the Executive Officers and passing of the Appropriation Bill, lie would read a pendant to that remarkable circular of which the honourable member for the Northern Division (Mr. Forcaitb) was so staunch a supporter, from which it would be seen that the idea of the Government on the subject of the attendßnoe of members was simply this—lt is doubtful if you now come, do as you like; but should you wish to come, there is a steamer for you. " The present made is that the Zingari steamer shall go to Otago, calling at New Plymouth, Nelson, Wellington, and Canterbury on her route, in order that ntiiniition of the m-eting of tho General Assembly may be conveyed to each place and tbnt the same vessel shall on her return put into e >ch of those ports for the purpose of bringing to Auckland those members who purpose to attend that meeting.'' What we complain of is tbia. In the circular not a single word is said of anylquestion, other than the Pension Bill and the Appropriation Bill, likely to engage the atieutiou of the House. Yet at the very time, the Government had become liable for some thousands of pounds, for Barracks at Taranaki, and was on the point ot chartering a vessel ts take <)own a la ge draft of troops. Of this, however, not the slightest intimation was given, and the Southern members, although aware of the disturbance from newspaper paragraphs, had not the slightest idea of their being so serious, until they landed at New Plymouth in their way up. There they found the inhabitants in a state of the utmost alarm, and the Superintendent on the point of going up to make representations in the matter to the Government. He would read a letter from the Private Secretary of His Excelleucy, under date 7th April : •' New Plymouth, 7th April, 185!). "Sir, —1 am directed to acquaint you that it is with extreme regret the Officer administering the Government finds that bis unwearied exertions during his i-o----journ in Taranaki have failed to secure that happy result, so earnestly aimed at from a visit to tbia settlement on the minds of the surrounding natives connected with the feud ibat lias so long been existing amongst tbem. " During His Excellency's stay, no time baa been lost to meet iiny emergency, and while contemplating a negociation with the contending natives, stepß have also been taken to prepare for military occupation. Hit Kx-ceU-ncy will c nsider it his duty to represent to the coming- Governor, and nl»oto the General Commanding in chief, the urgent necessity that appears to him to exist for a force being stationed at Taranaki, such as mav not only protect the European inhabitants, but support the British anthority.'' i Let the House mark these latttr'words.

" With ibis feeling, His Excellency feels the propriety of stationing in tbe Province of New Plymouth a considerable detachment of troops (considerable, in reference 10 the loroe detailed for tbe colony) which, coupled whh local exertion*, may, in hie estimation, be siithciant to secure the object in view." Such was the opinion of the Government at that dale. Ye', on tbe 25th May, the date of tbe circular, not a wjid of this was mentioned. Tbe people of IS'ew Plymouth were then in a most precarious position The slightest movement on I he part of the Eu opeans would bave precipitated a collision; and the difficulty of avoiding this may easily be imagined when it is known that men were to he found who actually made it tbrir business to increase the difficulties; for example, by •filing spirits to the natives; Justices of the Peace en. deavoured to punish the offender", but were quite powerless'to cnrry the law into effect. He thought the country generally bad much reason to complain of iheir representatives being kept in the dark in tbpse maiters. In all bis remarks, however, he would wish it to be distinctly understood that he acquitted His Excelleiicv, so fans intention goes, of all participation in in this act o! omission. It was altogether due to his advisers. He (Mr, Traver*) believed that no one bad had the interest of the colony more at heart thill HiExcellency. Hr thoughthe bad-shown sufficient reason for the inexpediency of lbs House indicating a policy in this maiter; am) if any further reason was wanting, it would be found in the fact of so large a number of the members being absent. With regard to the question af voting money, he believed '.hat a considerable amount hail been already paid, hills having been already accepted for the cost of the barracks. It was rather a curious circumstance that tbe c >st of military operations should be put down at 7,00t)/., when they were told at the sume time that 500 to tioQ men were being stMit — t ,ait f oiii Auckland and tart fiom Wellington. lie admired the modesty of His Excellency's advisers in putting Mown so moderate an amount. He (Mr. Tiavers) saw looming in the distance—not an expense of 7,00(1/ , i>ui of 77,00''. They had been told that there was enough in ihe bauds of the home Government, and he admitted that. But so as the colony had no cons ltunonal control over the Executive Government, it would noi be justified in bearing the expenses of this w.r. A responsible government, on the other band, would have io abide by the consequences of its own acts, aud would bear us own burdens. That was not the state of the country now; yet it vva» called upon

through that House to vote not only 7,000/, but a large unascertained amount for defraying the charge of the war. He had intended to enter still further into the subject, but from the time be had already occupied be would refrain from doing so, and would leave the matter in the bands of the House. Mr. CROMPTON condemned very much the policy pursued by Government fiora 'he commencement of the outbreak at New Plymouth. Tie honourable member then wave a lons' historical account of the country from the time of Governor Kitzßoy 8 administration to the present time. He asserted that English law had never be<n enforced between natives and Europeans. In several cas's the natives had taken the law into their own hands, even within the last few months. The Resident Magistrates had often solicited means 11 enforce the law, had been refused, and had. in consequence, been compelled to offer gratuities to chiefs, in order 'o procure the restoration of stolen goods. The temporising policy pursued by Government had been the cniß' oft.be place, and be hud the authority of an officer of the Government for stating, that had it not been for the sober and steady character of the sutlers a< New Plymouth, the place would have been, Ion.; ago, the the scene of bloodshed. In spit of all representations, the Province has been left to itself, and the inhabitants insultingly told that their own good sense would be n» t flicient protection uguinst native aggression as a military force of three hundred men. lie considered that us an ii responsible Government had brougb their own indiscreuon brought affairs to such a crisis, they had no claim upon that House for money wherewith to carry on the war. l\ir. POUTER said that all through the administration of Sr George Grey, be would never deal with the land question, but left it as a legacy to his successors. Whenever any difficulty arose, it was softened down by some present being made to the chiefs, and so, by degrees, Ik cot his lime through. lie considered that no good could lie done with the land question, until justice was granted to the Maories ; but if they do commence any coercive measures, let justice lie on their side. Mr. CARLETON did not think that much more was required to be said after hearing the able speech from the honourable mover. lie considered that it was quite time for the House to grant money to extricate themselves from a difficulty when they had brought it upon themselves; but as they were drugged into it, they must decline. Ii was not the a-nouut he objected to, but the principle; although it was a sad affair when our fellow colonists call upon us for assistance, that we cannot assist them. Mr. HART gaid that had they their own affairs completely under their own conrol, he believed that they long since would ht.ve adopted some wise measure, to have p evented the existence of a great amount of mischief connected with this war, but when tiie house was called together he understood that no subject of such impottance as this was to be brought forward. He did not consider the house at all competent to entertain it, it was unjust to absent members to ask the house as at present constituted to grant such ft large sum as that named in his Excellency's message, he had intended giving a silent vole, but could not do so without giving his opinion. (To be continued in our next.)