A SUPPLEMENT TO HIS EXCELLENCY'S SPEECH:

Colonist, Issue 62, 25 May 1858, Page 2

A SUPPLEMENT TO HIS EXCELLENCY'S SPEECH:

,■". Supposed to be an unrevealed portion of the General ■ Secretary's meaning^ \whenever he may' be so happy as to amve at such'a phenomenon:; . Honorable GBNTiiEMßN—honorable by courtesy, , and gentlemen—who are '.' all honorable men -j'V- ■"' ifOTnineesandthe'ehosetf other matters of ponderous import, which you will do well to ponder seriously. , -.'■■ .Gentlemen—One of the chief duties of a true Governor—a dignity to which I aspire—is to introduce, when popular zeal permits, permanently useful measures. Excuse me, lam not intending to usurp your prerogatives as legislators, but I would respectfully intimate certain ideas which have nestled warmly in my downy understanding, and upon which my spirit has brooded, in the fondest mood of incubation. .. You are probably aware, gentlemen, what a rage possesses new law-makers, to deposit their • legislative fancies, during the season, amongst the straws of senatorial thought. They have parental feelings, cares, and labors in common with fowls, fishes, and insects, at certain periods. But there is some danger of too much of. even a good thing. ■: ; Consequently I would, with profound veneration for your wisdom, suggest, with all deference, that it will be judicious to retain as many- of your, schemes as possible for your own direct benefit, and ' a only favor the public with such ripe opinions- -and reasonings on our colonial concerns as will not Occasion too much positive inconvenience or injury, in the mode of some speechifying Parliaments]'to an unfortunately over-lawed posterity/ ( ■ This' , leads me to point out a necessity, experienced I presume by us all—the want of good schools;: ' Suitable public schools being of the highest importance, I shall use all the influence of the Government in attempting their establishment, agreeably with the genius of legislative providence,

and the -voluntary, free action of popular enjeavor. Coerced education is the education of serfs, .freemen may be aided in the tuition pf their cMldren, but to wmpelinstruction, in opposition to parental authority, is to destroy one power, the natural paternal one, by bungling at the vain creation of another—the inferior and • doubtful one of-State compulsory schooling. A specific tax even' for this purpose is a false step, on the side of a despotism suited probably to a dark age, but unmeet for the times of liberal intelligence and voluntary enterprise. : • ■

Anc here, gentlemen, let us take care to begin our work at the right end of it; at useful schools rather than absurdly ambitious colleges for which our sturdy sons and lovely daughters are not prepared .ts yet, because of innumerable colonial preventives. We do require, for our children in the mere ? rudiments of learning, efficient grammar schools. These I would urge you to cause to be erected at once in proper'situations. Let' your counsel and example, in the several provinces, be fteely employed in inducing the several Provincial Councils to lose no more precious time; but ere their offspring become wrinkled with age, to raise and establish seminaries of useful learning. Whilst some of them have been hoarding public funds for grand buildings, the minds op hundreds of poor children have heen starving for want of . fitting houses hi- .central; places Jn which, they might be taught to read, write,' and to keep accounts, to say nothing of superior learning. Is this as it should be? • Gentlemen, I should be ashamed of myself, if I did not speak my mind on this subject. -.For Goodness' sake? gentlemen, let us get schools for the rising generation! Let us all co-operate, with duly appointed agencies, in performing the grand duty of training our youth for. a beneficial futurity!

To remedy the bane of Intejiperanc'e, that bad support of the State, I-would- carefully invite you, to employ,your valuable services and examples in promoting recreations and civilizing* amusements. Were intemperance specially taxed: for. this veory end, a patriotic end truly, the best of purposes, would be materially advanced; In proportion as a people become sober, they become fit for ha'ppi" ness,"as for all the salutary means'hy which ii can be realized. Suftriety is one'of the best contributions to the revenue, aDd one of the best defences of all we cau either love or reverence.

In order to settle here a most excellent class of men, I would commend to your earnest consideration the necessity of forming a judicidus plan for GRANTING LAND GRATUITOUSLY to parties wishful to emigrate hither at their own cost. When you maturely consider the distance of this country from England, the mere secondary quality of our soil generally, the suitableness of the climes of these islands, and of their minerals, forests, and properly cultured soils, to a large population, I firmly believe you will heartily accord in these views. If so, on general considerations, still more so when you remember, that in nearly all the British Colonies similar measureß are being devised and enacted in the best spirit of rival liberality. . j ;.

A prudent Credit System, designed for purchasers and occupiers of land only, is one of the inpst emphatic wants of the age. Afijer. reviewing various plans formed for other colonie^ and, : pur own settlements also,,the Government hasj!fi:amje|a" series of regulations' ljenfeficial jtc^ FAtttok<?f Jrjf-^ (DusxßV. I confidently, affirm they will Se}foundby you,,when,placed hefijre you,"tplie of eaiy?.'a|). -plication,, in the. hands^.p! faithful ; and atfentive' officers,—men who study to .further ?the real interests of the colony.',- .• , ;, >'Q./ ;':}"'.'„■ ;

- It-must appear to any mind but the unthinking or perversej'tnat every good tenant, lessee; or proprietor isso^ucfi State security, not only for any sum owing cblonially or provineially',;but for^^tKe generat interests of the country. Besides; a provident credit, accorded to useful settlers and real occupiers of land, is one of the best sources of revenue. We may have to labor under practical inconveniences, but the only real difficulties attending a system of deferred payment for land are attached to defective management, on the .part of public officers,. It will be our duty to maintain the business of the Land Offices in prudent. and vigilant operation; both for the thriving" of the cultivators of the soil and every other branch of industiy. Let us hope, that any advantages, temporarily afforded the tenants or lessees of various pastoral domains, will not be permitted to impede, either in theory or practice, the proper appropriation of the soil by those who will purchase it, cultivate it, and convert it into the most extensive productiveness. Because I am convinced, from attentive study of the subject, that to cheapen the wastes of the Crown for a term of years, where settlements have been established for a considerable interval, is ;one of the most useful methods of raising the value of cultivated land, I would the more readily introduce measures like those to which I have; adverted. If by encouraging regulations, you' cause an influx of population to a colony, particularly where, as in New Zealand, gold is discovered: to be a bona fide staple, then within a brief space;you enhance the value of dwellings and farms! ;Were there no other gold fields in these seas, or were there an old country teeming with busy people in, close neighbourhood, then pur own golden bedsmight be allurements sufficiently, strong : of/themselves; ; But our rich discoveries ar,e only /-a ■- few rate^ong^t.^ many ; and few as they are, although stored Hvith wealth, they are at a vast'distance from Europe, ; and are only just emerging from doubt to certainty. It will be wise, consequently, to employ those means which seem most likely to occasion industry with regard to both husbandry, the great agent of subsistence, and the mineral treasures so promotive of its prosperity. . < :^> : .

Closely associated with landed property is its inheritance legally. To render future heirship more safe and satisfactory, I cannot but urge upon you the necessity of providing for a more convenient and general Registration of Births and Deaths in all .parts of the colony, by means of an easy and effective agency duly authorized. ;

So momentous a fact as the existence of large quantities of gold in various parts of these islands, particularly' in the Nelson province, induces rae ; after long and anxious consultation with many gentlemen of extensive mformatitin and practice in such matters, and, after attentively considering clocupientary evidence^ affordedjby;.gold, countries elsewhere, to request yott to proyide such legislative aids ,and protections ;,to discovery and enterprise as will permane!ntly ; advance our resourcesiand,'the general welfare. I 'would' suggest that all • parties, • amounting 'to "a given number in any particular place, shotild,,b,e requested to1 contribute a certain QUAnTERiiY; peei (JentAgb of their labor, in thes formatiori 6$ boads, in the gold-fields. As our insular situation affords easy ingress and egress to strangers acquiring gains amongst us, it is due tojthc| inhabitants of this co-

lony that our ores should yield something of benefit to the localities where they may have been obtainedTo facilitate comrtiunicatioh inter-provincially, as well as,between the chief places of traffic-in the several Settlements, I-have' corresponded with the Superintendents of Provinces to ascertain what are the most important lines of roads where such BniDGES are required as call for the united means of the colony for their erection ; and I hope by your wisdom, experience, and powerful co-opera-tion, to impart such aid to the different provincial authorities as will greatly forward the completion, in a few years, of a system of bridges and thoroughfares. This contemplated improvement will not only prevent much loss of life and labor in. future, but also bring into more speed}', profitable, and energetic union the various Provinces. ..Sincerely do I trust that no mere forms or local,jealousies will be allowed to prevent so,truly useful an undertaking. Although it is impossible to. make Discoveries by means of Government agents, without incurring expense, I am solicitous, at this juncture especially, of furthering the general interests, by causing the country to open its advantages to the industry of our fellow settlers. I hope, therefore, to be enabled to devote every sum that can be reserved for this service to a wofk so generally beneficial to all classes as .a'more e|xtended explpratio^ must, eventiially bwo^e. By offering farms and estates, tl ie results 6f exploratory efforts, to persons who win capital From our ores, we not only prevent ,-the removal dif wealth, but we add substantial' citizens to the state, who would otherwise take their acquisitions to other countries. . '^ . Uniform Measures of Legislation", and a simple and comprehensive code of Ordinances, being of the highest utility, I would venture to recommend to your strictest regard and most judicious imitation tlie measures of legal consolidation and improvement now in progress in the parent ccjun^i try, for the purpose of securing your rzealousco-, operation, in a similar work, suited to these .Provinces. At' an early opportunity, I flatter myself, that the law authorities here will enable me to lay •beforeyou such.a Digest of Colonial and NewZealand. Laws as will merit your sanction and adoption, according to the provisions of the Constitution Act. ' >~ '.. ■ : ' Some of the Natives here have not only been very much unsettled as to their habits of peace* but they have likewise caused "serious annoyance by their quarrels. I have adopted the usual precautions to secure the European race from disturbance. But a question here arises : -How can we remedy such evils? We must answer this by wiser methods of government than the ordinary ones. Let Maori adults be allowed to voluntarily place themselves under our laws, within given districts, where they, after a probation, may exercise the popular franchise of naturalised subjectsLet it be our wisdom to teach all their children, whom they may present for English instruction, in suitable boarding schools, where, with ordinary literature, they may be initiated in our more use--ful arts. Thus, apart from native1 usages, theywill acquire the ; decencies of life, a knowledge of fitting employments, and of elevating "customs, and become worthy citizens. Let us offer special advantages to-those^ and to those -oiily, who will avail themselves of\ our institutions. Lei; us quietly such, as freemen, in certain favor"able localities. us divide, wit^nativeconcur- . rence, the JMCadri into SEVfeBAITijRS that they may dispose of their own lands to Government or retain it as freeholders. In a word, let us j honestly endeavor to make theni.gpod men and ! t*uei and; then they will soon cease, t.) trouble us.

Convinced, as all reflective New. Zealand Colonists must be, that the Seat of.Genehai, Government at this northern part of these islands must, in the nature of things, be both exceedingly impolitic and unjust; and as the governmental authority and influence are in such a situation too remote from the provincial centres, to be of general practical advantage, I would, although at some present inconvenience to myself and public officers, heartily request you to fix upon some really central locality as the seat of Government. You will, of course, in selecting," some more desirable place of power than the present one, have a studious respect to the best locality for a reatly communication with all other parts, and where no class or party interests will be served at,the general expense. In your choice of a suitable situation you will, I presume, be guided by future ho less than immediate considerations. ' ?: ; Such, gentlemen, are some of the principal subjects which I have been anxious to bring before you, and which I' persuade myself your intelligence and sense of public duty will faithfully entertain, and as faithfully embrace,—in all those measures of national utility thatciccupy so deserved a share in : your regard,'as,. £ beg to say, they will.obtain, through yod f . ih;.'tjhe esteem of the rising people'of New Zealand.r ' , ;• . .■' - .-*• •■:-'*.•■. '.#-; * ..'■•.# 7^-,'* ■■ '■#■:;.'•• .■ We may take leave to say, tha'tt-this important ■address i was not followed by a Cuckoo kind of reply. If it did riot cause iratefuKt^ars, it suggested 'What: a real Governor might be ?tho meanjs of doing. v ■':-; " : .c. '''[ - >>^ ■,■'■',. ' ■.- •• :;' ';]'.