TO THE COUNCIL OF THE NORTHERN ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 444, 15 April 1865, Page 5

TO THE COUNCIL OF THE NORTHERN ASSOCIATION.

(Per favor of the Editor of the Nkw Zealand Dekalb.) Gentlemen, —I lr<vc delayed the acknowledgment of the receipt of your remarks, relative to the resignation of the members of the House of Representatives for tlio Province of Auckland. 1 ngree with the council of the Northern Association, that were the whole of the members of the Douse of Representatives for this province to resign their seats, at the present juncture of affairs in this colony, it might prove extremely dangerous to the interests ot this province. I have for some time contemplated resigt.ing my seat as member for Newton. I have made up my mind to leave the colony, and should have done so last, month, were it not that I thought that I could serve my constituents by not, leafing tfie colony before the next meeting of tho Assembly, and I believe that every one interested in this, the North of New Zealand, should unite to get justice d"no to Auckland, by making the Southern settlements pay their fair share of the debts of tho colony, more particularly. those created by the war, and by doing all that can be done in order to get. separation. I am convinced that for many years, New Zealand cannot be well governed under one Governor. lain satisfied that, while this remains one colony, there will exist jealousies between the North and the South ; that under the party Government, by which we are ruled tho expenses will so increase that the colony cannot possibly prosper, and that, the Southern influence will bo powerful enough at all times to outvote the North in .any measure that we may think nocessary to proposo for tho advancement of the Northern interests. I dislike absolute government in any department. At the same time with separation we must, have the constitution remodelled, and until peace is restored I am convinced that it will be bettor that the Homo Government should, through the Governor, rule in all matters pertaining to the administration of native affaire. Having made known to you what I think on these, to us, importaut subjects, beforo I pledge myi-elf to retain my seat, I wish to lay before the Council of tho Northern Association a matter that affects our interests.

We have in England been charged as a people that would unjustly confiscate or tako away from tho natives their lands, and thousands beliove that the Southern members of the Legislature are the Maori's friends, and that Northern members wisli to prolong this war for sake of gain. Several of the Southern newspapers encourage that unjust feeling, and it is our duty to undeceive the people of England. I have always thought that it was and is the interest «f tho Auckland province to keep most sacred tho treaty of Waitangi. That treaty secured this country as a British colony; that treaty secures to the natives all the waste lands that they had not sold, and it Jui3 never prevented colonization. But I havo always felt that while we fully admit tho rights of British subjects, and the title that the treaty of Waitangi gives to the natives, still tliero are Provincial rights that I, as a member of tho General Assembly, am bound to protect, and if tho majority of those that elected me differ from me on this point I will resign my seat. I believo that it would be injurious to this province to confiscate any land save that which is actually requirod for the settlement of the Waikato regiments, and that oven that land should not be taken from the natives without pay-

merit, unless it is proved that tho owners liavo been guilty of some crime that would justify such eemirc. J J I before said that as a member of the General Assembl 1 feel bound to protect tho interests of this 1 roMnce, and 1 am also determined as far as lies in illj power to see justu-e done to tlie Maoris. Beheung, therefore, us ] do that (his Provinca bos certain elaims against all waste lands within its bcundarics, 1 sh til feel bound to resist any attempt that may be made to seize any land, or sell tho same to pay the war debt. 1 J ironi tho waste lands of this province wo naturally expect to get funds for tho purpoec of immigration, roads and bridges, i o r tho endowment of schools, hospitals, Are., works m which tho European and Maori ought to have an equal interest. I know that many think that nativo land should be seized to pay the expenses of tho war. I think differently. I fear the cost of the war will he found to amount to above three millions of money. This ought to he paid bv the coloin at large in proportion to the amount o"f revenue collected in the several provinces. I'lius, if wo collect 111 tins province 25 per cent, of the whole revenue of the colony. i„ that case we ought to have <0 r ',7, " lor « 'han £750,000, and tho other provinees £2,250,000. If the Southern settlements think that we will rob our province of one million or more acres, of the beat of our land, to save their pockets, I trust they will hnd they arc making a mistake. I shall oppo&c, it I retain my seat in the General Assembly, any attempt at such, to us, ruinous policy. I know that wo can for about £10,000 purchase one million acres of land from tho natives for EettUricnt, or colonisation. This land alone, when refold, would pay our share of tho wnr debt, and enable it -\ve net well, to employ both natives and all l-.'uvopcans that requiro work. But if wc ccufisc:ite a million acres or more, wo shrill have to settle all disputes, (and disputes there will be,) and perhaps light tor large tracts of this land, and do much in-

juKtiee to ihof'e who wifOi to make this province their home, and even then our share of the war debt will have to be paid by other moans. Many of tho Maoriea have never been in arms niram.M u» ; others have taken up aims in self-defenc\ froino that have never been opposed to us have been imprisoned, und never brought to trial ; and if we wi.<h to prove to the world, and especially our countrymen at home, that wo are disposed to act justly towards the nutives of this land, wo must insist on a fair trial bcinggiven, and see that justice is done. We must not stiller any innocent man to lose his property. 1 believe that the Korthern Association would notexricd its duties were it to reeommend what 1 have suiMjested for the consideration of the whole of tho .Auckland members.

It would tend to eonvir.ee our countrymen at home that we have not forgotten to act justly or as Englishmen, were we to pond petitions to tho Governor or, to the Queen, begging that no man's land bo seized or confiscated, until it lias been proved that, tho owner of the land lias done tome crime to justify such con-lUcat-oii or seizure. This would bring about a good feeling between us and the Maoris. They would see that we wish to live on friendly terms witli them, snd act honestly and justly. Let us show that it is not we. that lo to war with tho Maoris to get their land. Let us resist tho Southern scheme of making our lands, the lands of our province, pay a debt tlutt Southern votes enforced upon us.

In confirmation of the opinion which I earnestly hold, that all lands within the Province of Auckland ought to be regarded as belonging exclusively to the two races constituting the inhabitants of this province, I may refer to the expressed sentiments of the Imperial Government in regard to the security for the lean. Mr. Caidwell. the Secretary of Mate for the Colonics, Mates to Mr. 1?. Wood, in a letter dated HGth Ma}-, IMM, that "ho leaves out of consideration the land pledged by the Act. of the Assembly," and he corsiders that the proper security for the loan is simply the revenue of the colony.—(.See appendix to Journals of the House of Keprescntatives, l.s(M, D >o. 5.) Alter my personally leaving the colony, the interests of the Auckland province will still bo mine. If 1 resign, 1 will give due notice, so that Newton shall not go unrepresented. 1 believe 'hat I have now answered fully as possible the. questions which you have put to me, and 1 shall now venture to add a few remarks on the general condition oi'ali'.irs at this important crisis. We row see the undisguised policy of the present Ministry. We too them v.'ithdraw nearly all the troop:) l'rom this province lelbro peace is made. We see tl.cni leave Auckland without even the presence of ohm member of (iovernn.ent. We see them break faith with our immigrants, militia and military settlors and others, and even discharge the surveyors before it is possible to get land surveyed for the occupation of the Wnikato .Regiments. We see the seat of war removed to Wanganui, and a ruinous expenditure going on under the pretence of making a mad that will benefit very few. Wo hear of large sun.s being expended in erecting buildings, and on the purchase of land, <ie.. at Wellington, at the time when the colonial credit is at a very low ebb, and our Treasury chests nearly empty. We see the most irritating policy pursued towards our native people, from their not knowing what land to cultivate, or whether there is to be peace or war. We sec the whole of that line country between Cape Colvilli- and the East Capo without a single European settler engaged in cultivation, nudwetec the country fast being covered with docks aud other weeds, and the Maoris driven to such a state of desperation that few Europeans will venture to travel, far less to settle up the country. We see the Southern newspapers careless about stating facts —letters, nnd articles written, purposely to mislead the British public, and the Home Government, and to injure Auckland. We see a contract entered into to open up the l'anaraa route, which will not in any way benefit this pro • viuee, although it will take from one revenue several thousands a year at least. We see trust worth}' and faithful old public servants suddenly dismissed from the service without reason given. We see new olliees eroded for men that will do, and hare unscrupulously done, much injury to Auckland. We see the greatest carelessness exhibited by the present Government towards the Maoris. They contribute lari' jlv to the revenue, and as inhabitants of this province,"they are suffering from the gross injustice and neglect practised in leaving this part of tho country without any Government. From the Wold Ministry wo connot expect any consideration. I trust the Northern Association will .soo the necessity of urging the people of this province to petition tho Queen, that none of our waste lands be taken under any pretenco, and that justice may bo done to both races, and that no person shall be condemned unheard, or without a fair trial, or shall lose his property merely to serve tho interests of those who have been mainly tin; originators of the existing calamities. 'I he Auckland Province, with its numerous harlioius, fine rivers, extensive forests, fertile soil, and very healthy climate, with its valuable coal beds, and other minerals, nnd last, not feast, its industrious native people, whom, if properly and kindly treated, we can livo among, must become the most ; ulous and prosperous of all the provinces; but we must shake off southern influence, wo must watch with a jealous eye, and see that none of our lands go to such au unscrupulous Government. Wo know that when Sir George Grey, K.C.8., first to this colony as Governor, Mr Dillon Bell was permitted to select every acra of available land in this province, and that for several years our progress was impeded, and the rich lands of Mangarie, tho Tamaki, and other parts loft a barren waste. If we suffer our lands to bo confiscated, tho same thing will again occur on tho Waikato, Waipa, and other parts of this province. I am, &c., Geokoe Ghaham.

[Tlio above letter was originally forwarded by Mr. Graham, I,ho member for Newton in the General Assembly, to the Council of tho Northern Association, in tho hope that that body would take action in the matter. Tho Council, however, and wo think not unwisely, declined to take the matter into consideration, alleging that the Northern Association was constituted solely for the purpose of forwarding the work of political separation of this province from the Sout'n, and that it was no part of its duty to enter upon the discussion of general politics, or to entertain the question of confiscation. Mr. Graham then decided on sending his communication for publication in the daily papers.—Ed N.Z.l£.~]