THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 292, 7 August 1860, Page 4

THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS.

The address delivered by Governor Browne to " loyal" native chiefs assembled atKohimaranvi will do the state some service. The whole ineaniug of it may be given in a few brief sentences. Governor Browne, like his predecessors, desires to benefit our native population, and can promise them the good will of Queen Victoria, whose subjects the Waitangi Treaty made them. 'That treaty secured them from foreign aggression, but at same time stripped them of all the sovereignty which befure they individually or collectively possessed. That treaty confeired on them the rights and privileges of British subjects in exchange for a savage freedom, "barren as the east wind" of practical good. Any useful suggestions they may choose to make her Majesty will favorably consider, but on no account will suffer her supremacy prerogatives to be impinged upon. Both races have suffered from mutual misconception ) it is now time that each race should understand the wishes and intentions of the other. Maoris who would set up a Maori King are warned against the consequences of their ignorant conduct. These panics may talk, but must not act. If they join rebels in arms against the Queen's government, the Queen's government will not tolerate them Certain native tribes have assumed authority over other tribes. This state of things must end or mend. The Queen's government will not permit the forcible subjection of native tribes- by native tribes, as it is necessary for the peace of every country that all inhabitants should acknowledge one head. New Zealand aborigines have been treated with siugular kindness. They have been dealt with on a new and humane system. They have been provided with hospitals for their sick and schools for their children. They have been assisted to possess themselves of vessels, to cultivate wheat, to build mills, and to adopt the habits of their white bretheru. These facts" are used to show that Maoris have no just cause of complaint against us, but, on the contrary, have abundant cause to be grateful for favors conferred on them. They are reminded that though the Queen is able to protect them from foreign enemies, she cannot, without their help, protect them from themselves. They are congratulated on their progress in civilization under British protection—the old having * reason to be thaukful , that their sunset is brighter than their dawn, while the young man be grateful that their life did not begin until the darkness of heathenism had been dispelled by the glorious light of Christianity. On all other topics the address is silent. Governor Browne carefully guards agajnst selfcommittal. None of his statements are new, nor do any of them throw fresh light upon the " Native Difficulty Fudge;" but they are, nevertheless, important. The statement that native king movers are ignorant mischief makers, whose career must be stopped, will try Boshee metal. It is, however, to bo feared that Governor Browne will shrink from law enforce? ment as against our native population whenever such enforcement may be personally hazardous or politically inconvenient. jS"o mere phrasemonger will make Boshee loyal or put native affairs on a new and just footing. Thus far our Governor has shown himself rather a man .of ; talk than a man of work. ;-- (Fr,om the New Zealander.) The following Messages from his Excellenoy the Governor, were forwarded to the ■ Na*

tive Conference at Kohitfiamma during the last week: — /. ,-,..'. ..-. Message, No/ 1,/—Thomas Gore. Browne, Governor.—The (governor sends some Rules for the proper administration of Justice [in Native districts, and by Natives] to the Chiefs assembled at Kohimarama, for their consideration. These Rules have been carefully prepared by . their friend, Dr. Martin, late Chief Justice of New Zealand. Message, No. 2.—-Thomas Gore Browne, Governor. —In his opening speech the Governor assured the Chiefs assembled at Kohimarama, that the Treaty of Waitangi will be maintained inviolate by her Majesty's Government. He now invites them to consider the ditficu'ties and complications attending the ownership of land, and txusts they will be able to devise some plan for removing or simplifying them. It is well known that nearly all the feuds and wars between different tribes iv New Zealand have originated in the uncertain tenure by which land is now held. Very many disagreements would in future be avoided if the posses siou of land from any fixed date—say, 20 years, —were recognised as giviug the possessor a good title. Such a limitation would be in accordance with the law winch prevails in England. It is very desirable that some general princi-', pies regulating the boundaries of land belonging to different tribes should be generally received and adopted ; for, until the rights of property are clearly defined, progress in civilisatiou must be both slow aud uncertain. When disputes arise-between different tribes in refereuce to land, they might be referred to a committee of disinterested and influential chiefs, selected at a, conference similar to the one now held at Kohimarama. There is also a simpler plan universally adopted in Hindostan, which appears well suited to the circumstances of New Zealand, viz., when men cannot agree as to their respec--tive rights, each party ohooses two persons—and these four choose a chief of another tribe having no interest in the matter disputed. Theu the five sit in judgment, aud decide who is right aud who is wrong; but before they pronounce judgment, both the contending parties solemnly engage to abide by it. The Governor earnestly desires to see the chiefs and people of New Zealand in secure possession of land, whii'h they can transmit to their children, aud about which their could be no dispute. Some land might be held in common for tribal purposes; but he would like to see every chief and every member of his tribe in possession of a Crown Grant,for as much land as they could possib'y desire or use. When a dispute arises about a Crown Grant, the proprietor need neither go to war nor appeal to the Government: he can go at once to the proper Court, and, if he is right, the Judge will give him possession, aud,the Law will protect bioi in it. Tribal jealousies and disputes, however, interfere to prevent individuals from obtaining Crown Grants; aud they will continue to do so, and cause quarrels and bloodshed, until men grow wiser, and learn that the rights of an individual should be as carefully guarded as those of a community. It is essential to the peace and prosperity of the Maori people, that some plan for settling disputes about land should be adopted; the Governor therefore hopes that the chiefs will consider the subject carefully aud dispassionately, and assures them that he will gladly co-operate with them in carrying into effect any system that they can recommend, provided it will really attain the desired end. Government House, July 18, 1860.