E—No. 1 See. 11.

10. One other point appears also to require explanation on my part. My predecessor, in offering terms to the Waikatos, states that Her Majesty had been pleased to approve of a meeting of Chiefs being convened from all parts of these islands, and that it was his wish that that Conferen ce of Natives should devise measures for the introduction of law and order, and for the establishment of useful institutions in Native districts.

11. I think it better for Her Majesty's service that this course should not be followed. When the last Conference was summoned to Kohimarama, some Natives refused to attend it; other Chiefs of importance threw,and still throw, ridicule upon the whole affair. In the case of the proposed Conference, a w9^ disposed Waikato Chief no sooner heard of it than he intimated to the Government that it would be impossible to induce some of the Chiefs to attend the Conference.* The reason he a H e g e( J W as, that they were much irritated by the speeches made at the last Conference by some of the Chiefs of the Ngatiwhakaue and Ngapuhi tribes who were formerly enemies of the AVaikatos. 12. This may have been the reason in part; but I have no doubt they knew that their attendance at a Conference called together by the Governor to legislate for New Zealand, would have been a virtual renunciation of the independence which they claim. They are quite wise enough to feel the force of this consideration.

*see Mr Smith's Memorandum of 3oth May, 1861, forwarded in Go"o.'ss of ."h June, _BGi.

13 I think it also admits of question, as a point of policy, whether it would be wise to call a number of semi-barbarous Natives together to frame a Constitution for themselves. Probably before so many tribes with divers interests could agree upon such a subject, even if the Governor ha 1 proposed a form of Constitution to them, it would, in order to suit the prejudices of many ignorant persons, become so altered before it was adopted as to be comparatively useless. I think, therefore, it is better for the Governor to frame the measure himself, and then, if he can, get them to adopt it as a boon conferred upon them. 14. It also seems doubtful whether, even if a Conference which fully represented the Native race could be got together, it would be judicious now to assemble it. Is not calling together in the same country a European Parliament to legislate on European affairs, and a Maori Parliament to legislate on Maori affairs, a proceeding very likely to keep alive and perpetuate the distinction now so unhappily prevailing between the two races? But in the present case we may dismiss these considerations : for it is quite certain—for the reasons I have already stated—that I could not now get together a Conference which would fairly represent all the tribes ; and that there is consequently every probability that any measures for ihe introduction of law and order which had been devised by such a Conference as I could have assembled would, however good they might have been in themselves, have been rejected by a large part of the Native population simply because they had proceeded from such a Conference. 15. I think, therefore, on this point I am doing the best for Her Majesty's service in having devised a set of institutions I believe adapted to the Natives, and by them attempting to get the different districts to adopt them in detail. I think in this way the whole of the tribes may by degrees be led to adopt these institutions : which will then form them into a series of small district councils such as the European districts have, which councils may be composed either of Natives or of Europeans, so that they will suit the extending circumstances of tho country ; and will break the Native population up into small portions, instead of teaching them to look to one powerful Native Parliament as a means of legislating for the whole Native population of this island—a proceeding and machinery which might hereafter produce most embarrassing results. 16. I have been particular in entering into all these details, because it is with great unwillingness that I have felt that it would not be for the good of the Queen's Service to carry out the intentions of my predecessor in regard to the AVaikato tribes; and I am anxious that your Grace should see that it is a train of dispassionate reasoning which has led me to this conclusion, and not any desire of striking out some novel line of proceeding. I beg also that 1 may not be considered as implying that the course I am about to pursue will prevent the continuance of the war: —all I can say is, that I believe it is that course which is more likely than any other to produce so desirable a result : but the great difficulty i3 tp bring the Native race to repose confidence in the Government, and I cannot that I have yet done this. I have, &c,

G. Grey.

His Grace tke Duke of Newcastle, KG.,

&c, &c, &c.

No. 15.

copy of a DESPATCH from governor sir george grey to his grace the duke of

NEWCASTLE.

New Zealand, Auckland, 30th November, 1861.

No. 36.

My Lord Duke, — In my despatch, No. 3, of 9th October last, I transmitted the copy of a Memorandum on the machinery of Government for Native purposes, which had been forwarded to me by the New Zealand Ministers.

2. The substance of the question which has been raised on this subject may, I think, be stated to be this : that whilst the Colonial Ministers are virtually responsible for all other matters of Government in this Colony, the Governor has hitherto retained the management of Native affairs in his own hands.

34

DESPATCHES FROM GOVERNOR SIR G. GREY