FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE

" the country every man is a separate and independent being ; solitude flatters irregularity with the " hopes of secrecy ; the impulses of nature act unrestrained, and the disposition dares to show itself in " its true form, without any disguise of hypocrisy, or decorations of fashion." Amidst a fixed and large population individuality is lost, public opinion is formed, and can easily be moulded into a beneficial and productive form by the superintendence and care of the central power. Thus also will the waste land cease to be regarded as the bulwark of independence, and the importance attached to the possession of it will be transferred to the laws. The land is now retained principally from political motives,* as explained in my previous minute. The proposal of the Maories that the land of all the tribes who join in the appointment of a king should become vested in that king, is a plan which they invented the more effectually to prevent it from passing from their race. Men whose judgment is entitled to the highest consideration,f hold the opinion that much of the difficulty attendant on the land negotiations, arises from the fact that no fundamental principles have ever been laid down to regulate the practice of purchasing, nor the causes sufficiently investigated and obviated which render the Maories unwilling to sell. When they cease to fear for their independence and have observed that their importance and position is properly recognized and protected, they will cease to regard the possession of the land as a matter of s.uch deep interest to them. By the process of collecting the scattered population to a few well defined central positions many out-districts such as Whaingaroa will be abandoned to the whites, and the numerous harassing vexations to which the latter are now exposed, and to which any Resident Magistrate can testify, will cease to retard the progress of the European settlement. The cultivation of wheat is gradually condensing the population, and the adoption of some such scheme as the one now proposed will greatly expedite the movement. The points around which the thickening seems to be taking place are Kangiaohia, Whatawhata, Kikikiriroa, Raugiriri, and Tuakau, places averaging 25 miles asunder. Thus have been related the principal benefits supposed to be the probable result of a timely interference on the part of the Government. No great difficulty is involved in such interference, nor can I foresee any element of evil which is likely to present itself and cause perplexing dilemmas. The interposition of the Government would not be in the nature of an obstacle to oppose the existing current, but the exercise of a gentle influence to direct it into a new channel. I may here pause for one moment to answer an enquiry which will probably have suggested itself to His Excellency's mind; viz., how is it that he, having daily with Maori chiefs, has not heard of their desires, as detailed here, or been spoken to by them about their designs. The answer is to be found in an infirmity of human nature, which not only is remarkably prominent in the Maori character, but prevails, as I have read, with equal force throughout the whole of the races inhabiting the South Pacific Islands. It is a politeness verging on hypocrisy,;]; which instigates them, when paying visits of courtesy to a man of high rank or known power, to utter nothing which may be distasteful to his feelings, or contrary to his sentiments. Dr. Johnson has written, "To him " who is known to have the power of doing good or harm, nothing is shown in its natural foim. The "behaviour of all that approach him is regulated by bis humours, their narratives are adapted to his "inclinations, and their reasonings determined by his opinions, whattver can alarm suspicion or " excite resentment is carefully suppressed, and nothing appears but uniformity of sentiments and "ardour of affection." It now only remains to define the steps which I propose should be taken, and to remark on the principal objections that will be raised thereto. 1 propose the advisability of His Excellency calling a meeting of the tribes of Waikato, and personally attending such meeting, and expressing his desire to cooperate with them in their endeavours to secure the establishment of law; —that he shouldtell them that.asthis is agrtut and difficult work,it cannot be brought to a successful result by persons acting in haste, and without much previous reflection ; — that as the Maories are at present unfit, to undertake the proper solution of this momentous question, it would be advisable for them not to enter into deta'lsat that first meeting, but simply to itgard it as a sanction by him of the principle of the labours which they had undertaken, and a pledge of assistance in overcoming the difficulties; — that a second meeting will be called at the expiration of a year, and that in the meantime, each village numbering 100 people or upwards, might stlect a number of men to lay down and institute, subject to his approval, simple rules for securing the good older of such village, and might select, and present to him for sanction, the names uf two or three men of known talent and integrity to act as magistrates or wardens in carrying such bye laws into force; —that on their application, officers should be despatched to render assistance in their work, and to explain the practice and principle of law ; —that for the purpose of rendering the plan as peifect as possible, it would be advisable for the population that is thinly scattered over the country to resort to some of the large villages, and permanently settle there; —and that at the expiration ot a year, when sorue insight had been gained into the nature of law, and the difficulties attending its introduction, another meeting should be called, when further steps could be taken. It is unnecessary to allude to preliminary details. The co-operation of Potatau, if considered of any importance, can be easily obtained, and any foreseen difficulties smoothed away.

* Vide evidence of Mr. Whitcley and others, before the Board of Enquiry. + Vide letter of Archdeacon Hadfield to the Governor, laid with the report of the Board of Enquiry and other documents on the table of the House of Representatives, Scss. 1830. ■J See evidence of Mr. Interpreter Davis before Board of Enquiry, as to concealment by Maories ol their rea! sentiments.

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