NELSON.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 442, 27 October 1849, Page 2

NELSO N.

A|Public Meeting was held at Nelson, October 13th, to take into consideration Earl Grey's proposal to introduce Exiles into this colony. F. D. BelJ, Esq., was called to the chair. The report of the proceedings occupies a considerable portion of the Nelson Examiner. The following resolutions were carried unanimously. Moved by J. D. Greenwood, Esq., M. C, seconded by J. Saxton, Esq., J. P. : — " 1. That this meeting has heard with the utmost surprise and concern of its being in contemplation by the British Government to send Convicts to New Zealand : and most emphatically protests against such a design being carried into execution in any part of the Islands, under any form, to any extent, or on any pretext whatsoever."

Moved by E. W. Stafford Esq., J..T., seconded by Mr Fearon :—: — 2. " That in the opinion of this meeting, the introduction into this colony of convicts, or of a Felon Class, however designated, or however much reformed in any such numbers as would make their presence of value in a material or economic point of view, or indeed in any numbers whatever, would irretrievably , affect its character and prosperity, destroy the chief inducements which it at present holds out to the class of Immigrants from Great Britain most to be desired, gradually corrupt the manners and lower the moral tone of the entire population, render life and property insecure to a serious extent, materially weaken the claim of the community to receive those sights of Self-Government to which it now so justly aspires, and operate in a most pernicions manner upon the destinies of the Native Race, whose advancement the colonists are bound by every obligation of duty and of interest to watch over and protect." Moved by F. Jollie, Esq., J. P., seconded by H. Seymour, Esq., M. C. : — 3. " That this meeting considers the introduction of cenvicts into New Zealand, or of men who have been such, under whatever term it may be sought to disguise their real character, would be a breach of the recorded declaration of the British Government at the time of the establishment of the colony ; a departure from engagements, on the faith of which the New Zealand Company's lands have been sold and colonised ; and that such a step, besides its other evils, would inevitably have the effect of alienating the affections of the colonists from the mother-country, and destroying all confidence on their part in its good faith and justice." Moved by Dr Monro, M. C, seconded by F. Arnold, Esq. : — " 4. That this meeting desires to express its obligations to Earl Grey for his consideration in consulting the views of the colonists before proceeding to take any actual steps in the matter. But its alarm has been excited by having observed that convicts were sent to the Cape of Good Hope before the inhabitants of that colony had had lime to express their opinions upon the question, Which opinions, when expressed, proved to be most unfavourable. And this meeting desires further, most emphatically, to enter its protest against the right of the mother-country, without the consent of the inhabitants of this colony, to pollute its hitherto free and uncontaminated shores by making it a receptacle for the outcasts of its society." Moved by S. Stephens, Esq., J. P., seconded by H. Martin, Esq., J. P. :—: — " 5. That a memorial to her Majesty the Queen in Council be prepared, in accordance with the resolutions of this meeting, praying that her Majesty will be graciously pleased to issue such commands as shall spare this colony the shame and disgrace of being converted into a receptacle for the crime of the mo-ther-country ; and that at the same time the members of both Houses of Parliament interested in New Zealand be most earnestly requested to use their influence in support of the objects of the memorial. " Moved by Mr. Jenkins, seconded by C. B. Wither, Esq., J. P. :— 6. " That a committee of five be appointed to draw up the memorial referred to in the preceding resolution, and to obtain signatures thereto ; and that such committee do consist of T. Arnold, Esq,, E. W. Stafford, Esq., F. B. Bell, Esq., S. Stephens, Esq., and J. Saxton, Esq."