ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.
We feel it nrcessary to state that, while we arc at all times anxious to insert in oilr columns ..the opinions of our correspondents, we do not hold ourselves responsible for such opinions. To the Editor of the Independent. Sir,—l am sorry you should degrade the Independent to a' vehicle of religious controversy. Whatever the importance of these subjects, they ought never, to appear in the columns of a public newspaper. No arguments will convince a man of the errors of his religious opinion ; And so well is this generally knownthat the subject is never introduced iii good society as it only gives occasion for bigots to rant, and wise men to lament. The only difference, which most men can recognise, between Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy, is, my Doxy, against your doxy; and as every one is so indissolubly wedded to his own particular Doxy, that divorce is out of the question. Leave all to hug their private Doxies, to their own satisfaction, and give all your space and attention to whatever I tends to check corruption o* to promote, the social or political improvement of I the community. Be more particular, also, what you admit even on these sub-! jects, and reject with firmness and civility, the rabid lucubrations of men who* are writing mad, and all that does no* bear the stamp of ability and publio usefulness. Excuse the blunt simplicity of Cosjjfon. Sehsk. March 3, 1853. r (To the Editor of the Independent.) Sir,—l cannot forget my old subject the Small Farm Syatem, but as the Gor vernment are about to take some stops, I shall wait patiently until I see their intentions in print. In the meantime, I beg leave to oall the attention of the pro-% prietors.of the Wai-nui-O-Mate district,, to the immediate necessity of coming ward to assist the settlers to make the. road, 'tare ready to commence before the w. .•'..• .:>. ;:.. I was in error iv ray
last, by. stating that none of the proprietors offered to assist, for Mr. G. Moore, and Mr. Catchpole, nobly offered £20 or £25; each, an. example tbo others ought
. to follow,if they.study their own interests, and that without delay, for these reasons, tfimbor is fetching a good price, and there as.abundance in the valley; also, good '■streams of water fit for saw mills, with only one hill to cross in: carting; besides, many new arrivals are wanting land, who Would be glad to locate there, it being so handy.to town. . The good.pattern set by our old and esteemed fellow colonists, is , no small help, aad example is. one of the -very best rules for guidance. „ _ I remarked in my letter to the Church and School Committees, that none of the working.classes were chosento represent them.' Iv my opinion; common interests ».challenge an universal aid. For_ ( every overture in matters of religion and Jhurch Government is worthy,of suspicion, when there, is the,least show of danger, and appearance of favouritism; indeed, many evils are frequently suffered, which could iatonce be prevented, if the opportunity tddnot been overlooked, and. which may not. only .debar us of. many, great advan-i-,'%ea,:but,may;create,m.oui;,,min'ls : here-; ( !after many melancholy reflections.- Let TiOtpuv. children say when we. are gone hence.,,that their forefathers made no effort to, secure th.ose advantages and priWlege^.',wliich'..were their rights. My " main for the pubhc good. . Lam no place.bjiiUeiyor hireling, of no '■piirjty or clique, but shall expose insolence and oppression ; and if injuries are not redressed, the guilty parties may expect sharp rubs. ■ I; have myself suffered from the treatment, of soma of our petty tyrants, whose scornful insiiltations I value not. Envy discovers the deformed.part only, and will not see any thing that is good and only laments at the sight of other's, prosperity. , The contempt of 'Honest calliugs.iu those who wish to assume superiority over us, only argues, .pride, ambition, and the want of sense. It is, virtue, and morality that gives us equality. I.shall do my best to support boldly and fearlessly the rights and privileges of.. ' A Working Man. • To tlu Editor of Me Wellington Independent. Sir, •:—ln. the Government Gazette, Dec. 10, 1852, I read as Follows:— "Philip, Catholic Bishop of Wellington* to a grant of the Town Sections, Nos. 655, &c." Now this is quite distinct. The appropriation of the term might have been hastily passed over by the Government, in tbe report I have lately alluded to, Which was drawn up by persons not connected with tbe Government; but in this Governor Grey absolutely confers an appellation, claimed by the Quequ herSelf; as Bead of the Church, upon a prelate who is considered as sectarian by the law of the realm. But what caves he for Crown or for Law, whenever a chance ol currying favour is open to him t P.S.: Since writing the above, a new Gazette has appeared, in which grauts are made to the Rev. Philip Viard. His Excellency has taken fright; he might Lave permitted a Right Rev. at the least. To the Editor of the Wellington, Independent. Sir, —Your correspondent, signing. himself "A- Christian Catholic," in answer to "P." argues altogether beside the question, which is,—not whether the Queen, as head of the English Church, ought to appropriate the title " Catholic ;" but.whetlierGovernor Grey has not committed a gross breach of official duty in diverting from the Queen a title which she does appropriate. He, at all events, is not a judge between the Queen and Philip/Bishop of Wellington. Whatever his private opinions may be, he has no right to give! them the stamp of authority, by promulgating them as the opinions of the .Colonial Government. But are not' both parties contending For an unreality ? What is the meaning of the word? If the Catholic Church be held.to signify the Universal Church, I answer that no such Church, considered.as a .society, does exist, or ; overdid exist; if: it signifies a Church which ought to be universal, then, which- . over claims the title palpably begs the question, assuming the truth of its own doctrinesr-the very point in dispute. Why cannot • tli c,' two .compromise the matter by..(Submitting tS.be respectively termed AngJ9 r Catholic,.iand ; Roman Catholic ? ['■ ',}.'■■,■*:.*;•■ ' ] :--'-.'- ;; ' ; ",'V/ , Metoikos. <To the Editor oftlLc* Wellington Independent. ,
PEARSiK.VtPei.cciying'that a letter of Diino, addressed.'; to the Colonial Secre-. tary, relative to the late outrages cornniitC'edL' 'by■'_natives,. in ; this district, has lieeif published;'! beg to state, that as sbqii as the, replies thereto are received, they 'shall be forwarded to you for insertioil., ' ' ■ ■ . ~ . :■.' . ~-.:. ■■■■:''' .... '.'.''." '/'"';'.'.": ■ ; , 'J aY &C - ■■ ■ ' ■ James M'Donei,i,. Inverhoe, Rangitiki, February 22, 1853. To the Editor af the Independent. THE NATURE OF OUlt NEW CONSTITUTION, AND HOW IT MAY Bli WQKKKD FOR THE pENERAL GOOD. .." ; ■ „ •■■' NO. 2. . ' , ■'Sir,—tNow.that'we, have got the Coiv stitu'tioia a complete and spicy piece of piachinery, bringing with it the prestige pf its prototype ; how are wo to work it ? Bu4 who are the men, we are to c»gagc
to put it in motion, and work it for .the public good ? As regards'.bringing the' constitution into operation, the act itself, clearly defines this; but there are many important points left to be, decided by the Assembly and Provincial Councils, such as the duties and salary of the Superintendent and the payment of representatives, these and what measures are necessary for the public welfare, are qaestious every one ought to ponder over. whereby a public opinion may be formed, and men chosen to represent and carry out that opinion. The Superintendent I view as the Mayor of a province, whose powers, at| first, are large, but as the province becomes larger, his .powers diminish till they becomo. exactly the same as the. Mayor of. an English city or town, Some of the districts in New Muuster. in four or five years more, vyill feel themselves populous enough:to require a Mayor and Corporation- to manage their local interests. Wangauui and the Ilutt for instance—in these cases tho Mayor would very likely act as Resident Magistrate as well as in,the capacity of Mayor.' :> ..■,--;. .: : , iLmust be borne in mind, that our great complaint against the. present government, has. been; its lavish: expenditure; and if the fulure.government does not curtail, that lavish expenditure, one great cause of complaint will still be in existence. By the abolition of the office of-Lieut-Goveruor, this province will be able to effect a saving of £ I*ooo per annum. One thing to be watched over in the office of Superintendent, is that_ though" at first, the powers invested in him must be very large, .yet care must be taken that.those powers do not increase, but, rather, decrease, otherwise, we assimilate our provincial government to an important feature in the Constitution of the United. States viz. .Gooemvienl of a State, a consummation uot at all desirable to British subjects. Respecting payment to representatives, I would say pay them by..all means, and let that payment be such a sum, as will pi-event them froai being either losers or,gainers by being, called upou to serve the public. If we do not pay our representatives, wo exclude a talented mau because he is not a wealthy oue; and admit a rich one who may be a great block head, but who is qualified because he can afford to give his services, and very dear they would be at a gift. Members of the Provincial Councils whose functions are merely local, and who reside at a greater distance thau ten miles, from the place of meeting, ought to be paid a sum sufficient to cover their expenses. On the selection of members for the House of Representatives, depends the future worth of our constitution, and I would here impress upon the niinds of electors, if but for. this,,time,, .the. first, and therefore tho most important'time, that they are at liberty, to exercise their rights as freemeu and descenderits of Britons, to register, and not fail on the polling day to tender their votes for the man of their own choice.
For a representative we require a man of education, respectability, integrity, sense and ability , these are the primary qualifications ; and if there are many of these, let us select from amongst them those who fhavej distinguished themselves by struggling for free institutions—who have stocked the country with sheep and cattle in dangerous times and under the most trying circumstances —who have been extending our trade and commerce and who encourage agriculture by personully engaging in it. Swells and snobs must be shunned —practical men are what we require. Before a member is elected he ought to pledge himself to support certain im-j portant measures, few in number, but extensive in their application: these measures may be summed up to contain all that the settlers believe to be essential for the welfare of the colony; on all other subjects his judgment must go unfettered. But he will always have to bear in mind he is but a delegate sent to represeut the views and wishes of his constituents, and that confidence thus placed in him, is not only an.honour, but a sacred trust, confided to him, the betrayal of which will-not be forgiven, and, at the second election for members to serve in the New Zealand Parliament, will not be forgotten. , . : •: : ' . Elector. '■ To the Editor of the Independent. , Sin,—The-LyHelton Tjmes of the 19th ult. contains a letter concerning the Constitution, from' Mr. Edward Gibbon Wakefield, in which he deprecates the feelings of mistrust which are entertained towards the government,, and strongly urges the propriety of confiding and harmonious aotion between the governor and tho popular party. . This advice confers upon the recipients the right of putting a direct question to Mr. Wakefield.. Ho may give a direct answer, an indirect one, or perhaps none at all; and.they will draw their conclusions accordingly. Docs he, or docs he not believe in Governor Grey's veracity? If ho doos, the colonists will consider him incompetent.to. give advice. If he does not believe.in it, with what face can he ask the colonists to." confide"? Would he run tho risk, for himsejf, of again trustiug a man who had once deceived him ? He knows, no one better, how' Governor Grey has betrayed the colonists to the Colonial Office for six years and more, how he has laboured to keep back self Government, how he ha.s traduced those who have forced it on, how he is at the present moment casting difficulties iri the way of bringing it into effective
operation, through fear .of having to meet the General Assembly; yet Mr. Wakefield does not hesitate to come forward, and to ask that Governor Grey, at the eleventh hour,shouldbe trusted. Does he believe that the leopard can change his spots ? Does he not know that Governor Grey, oven if ho could overcome a propousity''which amounts to monomania,, dures not attempt to do so, —that he: has no choice .but to carry through his system of deception, braving out the chances of exposure to the last ? Confide in Governor Grey! the colonists have been taught by.long and sad experience., that the only chance is to hold him at the sword's point: once you let him get within your guard, you measure your length on the earth. Every concession that has been ma;le by him has .been wrung from him by force. , Mr. Wakefield can teach the colonists many things> but ho cannot teach them how'to.deal with. Governor Grey. Mr. Wakefield has offered advice to the colonists; he will perhaps be not offended should they offer him advice in return. And this would be, to keep himself clear of Governor Grey. All who have had to do with>that man have, suffered; there is a taint in the touch! The Bishop's personal'influence in the North, which might have been papa-, mount, has been null from the day that he allied himself with Sir George, in the conduct of a political question. The Chief Justice has committed but one marked error' in his career, —his unaccountable eulogy, at the installation, of a man whom ho knew to be regardless of truth,—but this he never has, and never will recover. Major Eichmond (the late Colonel Wakefield is the authority) would have been appointed Lieutenant Governor, but for the representations made concerning.his arming of the Ngatiawa, and his keeping back Governor Grey's rash and ill-judged letter to a Chief of th c Ngati toa;—acts, th c necessity of which Sir George was afterwards, most unwillingly, constrained to admit. Lieutenant Governor Eyre has been made the scapegoat to Governor Grey's violation of the law ; Mr. Godtey has been made to suffer, so far as such a man can suffer from one so imtneasureably his inferior; Colonel Gawler, it is to be hoped, will yet make public the history of confidences abused. It is' currently said (I ara as yet without the means of absolute proof )jthat the professional prospects of Captains Hqseason and Stokes have been clouded through the intrigues of Governor Grey:, the calumnies fastened upon .Mr Fox, Mr. Brown, Archdeacon Henry Williams, and a host of others, are notorious. Does Mr. Wakefield think that he can touch J pitch, und not be defiled ? His talents are great, but they cannot work a miracle. Mr. Wakcfield's ability is acknowledged by all; nevertheless, h<? has yet to create his influence. We have seen no instance here of any one leaping into a commanding position; all, as yet, have been made to climb. The New Zealand colonists, taken as body; are hard headed and practical, taking every man as they find him, but no man upon trust. I feel assured that they will give himtho welcome which his past services in the cause of self-go-vernment have deserved; but they will study his present course of action before committing themselves to demonstrations of confidence. The leadership in Wellington is acknowledged; it has been honestly and laboriously.won; the other settlements likewise, (save Canterbury, partially disorganized through Mr. Godley's departure) have their proved and trusty men, whose guidance will not be lightly abandoned: when the advice to " confide" in Governor Grey shall come from these, the chances are that it will be taken, but Mr. Wakefield must not. feel surprised if his own hasty recommendation to reverse the course of policy that has been so long and so steadily pursued —d recommendation dated from on board the vessel which brought him out—should be neglected.
There can be little doubt but that Mr; Wakefield's talents will eventually secure for him a large share of influence in the management of public affairs j-neverthe-less his entry on the scene has been ominous. Metoikos. ■ -. ■ "-'» We have been requested to publish the following petition to SirG. Grey> in behalf of William Wright, a prisoner of the Crown, and his Excellency's answer thereto, for general information. ■... , Petition. Wellington) New Zealand, December 27, 1853. " To his . Excellency Sir George Grey, X.C.8., Govoruor-in-Chief of the ciilbuy of New-Zealand. The humble petition of the Undersigued Inhabitants of tho City of Wellington- . ■ Humbly Sheweth —- : That your Petitioners approach your Excellency in the cause of William Wright now a prisoner in her' Majesty's gaol. We have seen with pain his prolonged punishment in heavy irons, and cannot divest our minds of the impression that it has become our duty to intercede in his behalf. Eemembei'iiig his long residence in this colony, during which many of your petitioners can;testify thatj he conducted himself as a good neighbour and a kind father, we cannot but think it a most painful necessity that must compel his re-transportaiion ; that while nothing has transpired to add weight to the evidence on which he was convicted during the four long yoavs that' ho Las it
on the eoatrary appears' to'your Excellency's petitions, that one part of the evidence, which they believe to be essential Iβ a legal eonvietioii, viz., that of a medical practitioner, was in this instance taunting. Upon this ground, especially, we trust to be excused for appealing to your Excellency on behalf of one whose, case has.so much enlisted our sympathies. We would beg to call your Ex-' cellency's attention to the prisoner's uniform,good behaviour during his long detention-, under most trying circumstances, and to express our hopeful belief, that, instead, of being consigned to the lot of an outcast, he becomes the subject of your. Excellency's clemency, and to his liberty, ho would prove a useful member of 'society, and justify by his future conduct the exercise.of your clemency.
We. respectfully present this petition to your Excellency, in the hope tliatyour Excellency may feel justified in giving reconsideration to the case of the above named prisoner, upon whom and whose offence the majesty of the law has not been without its vmdication,-.and, in the. humble trust, that the Queen's most amiable prerogative of mercy may-,'- by you her representative in the colony, be happily exercised. . And your petitioners will ever pray. Signed by 161 persons, (including all the Clergymen and Ministers'of : religion, nine Justices of the Peace; and all the Principal Merchants and influential inhabitants of Wellington^)'. ; {Copy.)' Civil Secretary's Office, Wellington, Jauuary 11th, 18-53. Sißj:—l have the honor to request that you will inform the gentlemen who signed the Memorial forwarded by you to Sir George Grey, on behalf of the convict William ..Wright, that it would give bis Excellency great pleasure to comply .with the prayer of the Memorial by granting'a pardon to this man, could his Excellency do so consistently with his duty. On carefully reconsidering the particulars of this case it appears that the prisoner was originally sentenced to transportation for life. In March, 1851, he petitioned the Governor for a pardon —his case was then, together with his petition, referred to the Judge who presided at his trial. The Judge furnished a lengthened report upon it, in which he stated he had not the least reason to think that the verdict of the Jury was- otherwise than proper; at the same time adding in the prisoner's favour what his Honor believed to be the only reasonable ground-for a partial remission of the seutence. His Excellency availed himself of- the admission of the Judge, that a reasonable ground for a partial remission of the .prisoner's punishment, to recommend that this remission should'be made, and the prisoner could still further have shortened his time of punishment by his own good conduct. It now, however, appears that after the leniency which was shewn to him he made his escape from Van Diemen's Land, and has been found guilty of being illegally at large. Under these circumstances his Excellency regrets that he would not feel justified in complying with the prayer of the Memorial. t have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, Alfred Domett, Civil Secretary. To the gentlemen ioho signed, the Peti--1 tion to Sir George Grey, Governor of New Zealand, in my behalf. Gaol, Wellington, ; February 22, 1853. Gentlemen,—l most warmly thank you for your generous sentiments of active and operative sympathy in the behalf of an innocent and sick man. , .■:■ I remain, gentlemen, Your obedient servant, Wμ. Weight. (From the Government Gazelle, Feb. 28J PEOCLAMATION. By his Excellency Sir George Grey, a Knight Commander of the niost Honorable Order of the Bath, Governor-in-Chief, and! Comniander-in-Chief in and over r . , the Islands of New Zealand, and '' Vice-Admiral of the same, &c, &c, '' ■ - ~&9---,'" '■ -.'■•. WHEEEAS an Act was passed iv the Fifteenth and- Sixteenth years of the r Eeign of Her present Majesty, C. LXXII, entitled "An Act to grant a Eepresentative ; Constitution to the colony of New Zealand." And, whereas, the said Aot in accordance with the provisions- thereof was Proclaimed in the said Colony of New Zealand on the Seventeenth day of January in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty three. And whereas, by the second olause of the above recited Act the following Provinces were established in the said Colony of New Zealand, namely ■ : The Province of Auckland. The Province of New Plymouth. The Province of Wellington. The Province of Nelson. The Province of Canterbury, and The Prpvinoe of Otago. And whereas it was by the same clause of the saaie Act further enactud that" the limits of the several Provinces shall be fixed by Proclamation by the Governor us soon as couveniently itiiiy be after the Proclamation of the said Act." Now therefore, I, the Govcrnor-in-Chief, do heroby Proclaim and Declare
that the limits of the Provinces aforesaid shall be as follows, namely, ■ The Province of Auckland shall be bounded on . ■ Tkej/orth.— By the coast Hue, including the Islands adjacent thereto. ; The IS tut. —By the coast line, including the Islands adjacent thereto. .-.•■•■ : The West, —By the coast line, including the Islands adjacent thereto. The South.— By the River Mokau to its source.thence by a right line running from the source of the Mokau, to the point where the Ngabuinga or Tapua the principal tributary of the Whanganui River is intersected by the thirty-ninth parallel of South Latitude) thence Eastward by the thirty-ninth parallel of South Latitude, to: the point where that parallel of Latitude cuts the East' Coast of the Northern Island of New Zealand. • The Province of New Plymouth shall be bounded on The jYorth.—By the Eiver Mokau to its .source.' '■<■ The East.—By. a; right line running, from the source of the-riverMokau to the pointwhere the Ngahuinga orTupua, the priucipal tributary of'the YVhanganui Eiver is'intersected by the thirty-ninth parallel j of South "Latitude.'thence by the Eiver Whanganui to the point where it is met by the Taumatamahoe Path leading from i the River Waitera, thence by-a right line! running from the above described point j on the Whanganui Eiver to the mouth ofi the Eiver Patea, The West.— By the coast line, includ-j ing the Islands adjacent thereto. ' The South. —By the coast line, including thelslands adjacent thereto. The Province of Wellington shall be bounded on The North. —By the Southern boundary of the Province of Auckland as already described in this Proclamation. The East.-* By the Coast line, including the Islands adjacent thereto. The horlh West.—By the Southern portion of the Eastern boundary of the Province of New Plymouth as already described in this Proclamation.
The South Weal.— By the const line, including the Islands adjacent thereto. •The South.— Bythe coastline, including the Islands adjacent thereto. The Province ol'Nelson shall be bounded The North.—Bγ the coast line, including the Islands adjaceut thereto. The East.— By the coast line including the Islauds adjacent thereto. The West. — By the coast lino including the Islauds adjacent thereto. The South.— By the River Hurunui to its source, thence by a righcliue drawn to the point where the River Kotu-urakaoka issues out of Lake Bruuuer, thence by the River Kotu-urakaoka to its junction with the River Grey, thence by the River Grey to its mouth. : The Province or Canterbury shall' be bounded on ..■- The North.—By the Southern boundary of the Province of Nelson ac already described in this Proclamation. The East—By the coast line,' including the Islands adjacent thereto. j The West.—By the coast line, including the Islauds adjaceut thereto.^ The South. —By the River Waitaugi to its source, thence by a right line running to the source of the River Awarua, theuce by the River Awarua to its mouth. The Province of Otago shall be bounded on The North.—By the Southern boundary of the Province of Canterbury as already described in this Proclamation. The East.—By the coast line, including the Islands adjacent thereto. The West.— By the coast line, including the Islands adjacent thereto. The South.—By the coast line, including the Islands adjaceut thereto, with the exception of Stewart's Island, its adjacent Islauds, and Sclander's Island, and the Island of Ruapuke. This Proclamation shall take effect within the Province of Wellington, on and after the day of the date hereof, and within each of the other Provinces aforesaid, op and after the day of the receipt of a copy hereof at the principal Town of such Province. .
Given under my hand, and issued under the Public Seal of the Islauds of New Zealaud, at Government House, at Wellington, in the Province of New Munster, in the Islands aforesaid, this Twenty-eighth day of February, in the year of our''Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three. G.GreyJ Goveruor-in Chief.
Civil Secretary's Office, 2oth February, 1853. His Excellency the Governor-in Chief has-been pleased to direct that the following Letter should be published for general information. By His Excellency's command, Alfred Domett, Civil Secretary. Per ship Minerva. Blackwall Yard, London, 30th September, 1852. S lß) __.We have the honor of addressing your Excellency, as the head of the Government of New Zealand, for the purpose of submitting to you a matter in whioh we are personally interested, but which appoars to us of greater importance to the Colony. It may be convenient if we begin by stating the nature of our personal interest in the subject. Circumstances have induced us to resolvonfter due consideration, to enter fully and systematically into the business of the Passenger Xrado to New Zealand. These aro—--Ist! The surrender by the New Zealand Compauy to"> the Crown, of the
Charter under' which' they were , the Instrument for the greater part of the Emi. gration from the Mother Country to that Colony. i ' - -■' " 2nd. The more recent ttanefer of the fanctions and powers of the Canterbury Association, whereby tlie proceedings of that body, as an important and'highly valuable Instrument of Emigration, are brought to an end; —and
3rd,' The Parliamentary legislation of last Session, which by bestowing very large powers of local self Government upon the Colony of New Zealand' in general, aud upon the six Provinces into which it is divided by the new Constitution holds out a prospect, that the attractiveness of Now Zealand to Emigrants of all classes, nnd more especially of the higher classes will be much increased, and the demand fur Passenger jShips be proportionately augmented. 'It thus appeared that tha Shipping arrangements which heretofore facilitated New Zealand Emigration, and made it an respectable, were coming lo an end at the moment when the Colony had acquired an increased interest in them, and their continuance and extension had become of greater importance to the Colony. It seemed that ihe supply was likely to cease at the γ-jry time wheu the demand promised to bj greater than ever.
Prompted by these considerations we have determined to take up and carry on the Shipping operations for Emigration to New Zeal aid. Arrangements- bnvo consequently been made, by which Mr. Aylmor, (who .succeeded Mr. , Howler as Superintendent of Emigration, and Shipping to the Canterbury Association) will establish at the late office of tbat body a general Emigration Ofiice for New Zealand, in exclusive connection with our firm as Ship O.vuers. At this office, and precisely as heretofore, intending Colonists of all classes will be able to obtain information, a Ivice," and assistance ; and in due proportion to ihe'demand for passage, first class Ships wifl be despatched by us with the same strict regard to the safety and comfort of Passengers during the voyage, and punctuality to the time fixed for sailing, as bestowed by'the Canterbury Shipping arrangements. Your Excellency will understand that we can have no object in ministering to the Emigration wants of any one of the New-Zealand Settlements in particular. Differing in this respect from the Canterbury Association, we shall direct our attention to all the six Provinces which the new Constitutional Act calls into existence. It will be Mr. Aylrner's and our endeavour and -.visa that each Provinceshall share equally with all the rest in the benefits which these arrangements may afford. Just at present, probably, it may not be in our power to send ships to j a single, port only, so as to secure for I each Province the advantage of direct communication from England, but as soon as ever th-j demand'"for' passage to each port shall justify that course, wo shall not fail to pursue it. In the meantime, and so long only as the demand for shipping shall'be insufficient to justify our sending them to a single port, but sufficient to require a ship for two or more, we shall send ships to more than one port, taking care that such .Province shall in its turn, as far as possible, be made the first place of destination. We assume that the Government of each Province and the General Legislature, including your Excelleucj', will perceive that it is iii their own power by raising funds for the promotion of Emigration from the Mother Country/ to make it the interest of British ship owners to send their vessels always to a. single port, an I therefore to each port, direct from En,'land. Either each Province, if all tne six should obtain tho management of their own waste land, or the General Legislature on behalf of each Province, if the law should remain' ■ as it is, niigtr provide funds for direct Emigration to each of the six ports. On this point wo induced to add, that if the authorities of New Zealand, whether in the Gener il or Provincial Governments, should b'i disposed to raise funds in this country for the purpose of Emigration, we should be glud, and hereby beg to offer to your Excellency our ser- , vices to afford any ussistanoe in our power towards the introduction of New Zealand Government securities into the<. British money market, or other means by which we could be useful in promotingthe interest- of the Colouy. The foregoing statement of olir intentions and views with regard to New Zealand Emigration will sufficiently introducea suggestion which we venture to make through your Excellency to the Legislature of the Colony. In carrying on thepassenger trad a to the Australian. Colonies, and in so no measure also to New Zealand, ship owners' are exposed to dnmage and oTten tv the most serious losses" all of wjich virtually in the longrun enhance' the cost of passage, and' operate as an itnpedimont to Emigration, by the difficulty which the oomnianders of their vessels experience with regard to the enforcement of contracts with seamen. Upon the arrival in the Colony of British-ships destined after the discharge of thoir' passengers and cargo tosome distant port in India, or elsewhere, the crews either pnrtially orwhollv desert, and though they have entered into the clearest engagements for the whole voyage, the Colonial law does not at present afford adequate means either to prevent or remedy suoh breaohes of contraot. It would be presumptuous in us to offer, or even to form positively an opinion on the most suitable remedy; but we aro informed - that when Lord Durham was Governor General in Caaadoj his Legislative. Coua- ■
i'it has, boon to the Arians, Nostorians, Donatists, or any othor triumphant heresy. To know that the Anglican religion is not Catholic, it is sufficient to behold • it; it is isolated in Christianity, it is therefore not Catholic, its episcopate is rejectod aliko by tho Catholic and by the- Protostunt Church; but being noithcr Catholic nor Protestant, what is it ? Why, •nothing. Nothing beyond a civil and local establishment,diamotrically opposed j to Catholicity or Universality, the exclusive mark of truth. God is no respecter of persons, He has not beoome incarnate solely for the English people ; they too most sail under tho broad flag of the great Catholic Churoh to eternity, if they desire to join- thoir accents to those of - her countless children, whoso voices rosomblo "tho noise of many waters."— . Rev. xiv. 2. ;■ ' Believe mo, Sir, Faithfully yours, A Christian Catholic. February 23th.
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Bibliographic details
Wellington Independent, Volume VIII, Issue 772, 5 March 1853, Page 2
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5,578ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. Wellington Independent, Volume VIII, Issue 772, 5 March 1853, Page 2
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