THE Wellington Independent. Tuesday, February 19, 1861. THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1498, 19 February 1861, Page 2

THE Wellington Independent. Tuesday, February 19, 1861. THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

Perhaps the most important event of the late Session of the General Assembly, was the investigation into the system of goxeiaing.llie. natives hitherto adopted by tho Native Department. The enquiry was in terms directed to ascertain the causes which led to the removal of Mr. Fenton a Resident Magistrate froni the district. But in reality it was i & trial of strength between % oJ4 flour*

and-augar system of Mr. McLean, and the statesmanlike theory which Mr. Fenton attempted to carry into practice, of aiding the natives in the work of self- i government, and attaching them to our I laws and institutions by a system of rational instruction. The enquiry terminated in the triumphant vindication of Mr. Fenton's experiment and the unanimous condemnation of Mr. Me Lean* a no-system. Tho investigation, moreover, , wa9 of peculiar value at the presont moment as throwing great light, and the only reliable light, we have on the character of the king-movement, and exhibiting the blunders and feebleness of the Governor and the Native Department in grappling with it. It also developed a most melancholy state of chronic antagonism between the representatives of the old irrei sponsible system, and the responsible advisers of- the Crown under our self-go-verning institutions ; leading to the conclusion that the former must be abolished, and that there is no hope for the better administration of native affairs till they are subjected, more or less absolutely, to the responsible ministry of the country, ias are all other matters relating to the peace and prosperity of the colony. By the Airedale's mail we hare received a complete copy of the Waikato Committee's report and appendices, and shall from time to time lay before our readers some portions of their interesting contents.