TO HIS EXCELLENCY SIR GEORGE GREY, K.C.B.

21

A.—No. 6

Royal Highness would be most willing to consider any proposals for the adoption of suitable arrangements for enabling the first appointments to commissions in any Colonial Corps to be raised for service in New Zealand, to be made as far as possible from gentlemen connected with the Colony, and for the enjoyment by the officers thus appointed, of the privilege of exchange into the other regiments of Her Majesly's forces, under the same regulations as those affecting the officers of the Canadian Rifles, Capo Mounted Rifles, and other similar corps. It is unnecessary to point out how important a career would be opened by such an airangement to the sons of gentlemen connected with the Colony of New Zealand. The formation of a temporary force, to be maintained in an embodied stale during the continuance of the war, and to be located, on the re-establishment of peace, on grants of lands asMilitary Settlers, would be probably tho simplest arrangement, and the one least burdensome to the Colonial Finances; and such a force would, it is believed, prove attractive to a large number of the men now serving in regiments in the Colony. But if the Colonial Government are anxious to see a more permanent force, to be paid by the Colony, established for local service, the proposal contains some elements of novelty, and Lord de Grey has therefore thought that it might be convenient to Mr. Secretary Cardwell and also to the New Zealand Ministers, to learn in what manner Lord de Grey considers the arrangements in force in other Colouies might best be modified so as to attain the object thus in view, so far as it is possible for his Lordship to express an opinion on the subject, in the absence of all detailed information as to the scheme of Sir George Grey's advisers. I have, &c, Sir F. Rogers Bart, Edward Lugard. &c, &c, &c.

No. 25. Downing Street, No. 27. 26th April, 1865. Sir.— I have the honor to transmit to you for your information, a copy of a letter from the President and Committee of the Aborigines Protection Society, recommending that Commissioners should be specially sent from this country to enquire and report upon the means of ensuring the future tranquiliiy of the Colony of New Zealand, together with a copy of the answer returned to that communication by my desire. I have, &c, Governor Sir George Grey, X.C.8., Edward Cardwhll. &c, &c, &c.

Enclosure 1 in No. 25. THE ABORIGINES PROTECTION SOCIETY TO THE EIGHT HOK. E. CABDWELL, M.P. 35, Bedford Square, Lomlon, loth March, 1865. Sir,— On behalf of the Cotnmiltee of the Aborigines Protection Society we beg respectfully to enclose copies of two letters we have received from certain Chiefs residing on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The fidelity of the translations is attested by Mr. C. O. Davies, an intelligent and trustworthy interpreter, and we have good reason to believe that the documents correctly represent tlio sentiments of large bodies of loyal Natives. The wish expressed in one of the memorials that there should be an impartial investigation into the causes of dispute between the Natives and the colonists has induced us to address you upon the present occasion. It appears to us the only foundation upon which a lasting peace can be established between these two classes of her Majesty's subjects. But in view of the unfriendly relations at present subsisting between Sir George Grey and a large section of the colonists, it does not seem likely that an enquiry can be instituted by any of the officials on the spot with any prospect of a satisfactory result. This we the more regret because we feel the greatest confidence in the wisdom, justice, and high-minded character of His Excellency, qualities which have never been more signally displayed by any servant of the Crown than during the last twelve months of harassing trial and controversy. We therefore address you in the hope, that by your advice, Her Majesty may be induced to despatch Commissioners to New Zealand armed with authority to investigate all questions connected with Native Policy, especially with a view to report upon the best means of insuring the future trauquility of the Colony, and of providing the Maoris with a Government suited to their growth in civilization. Convinced as we are, that a great wrong would be permitted, if the absolute conduct of Native Affairs were transferred to the colonists before the Maoris are placed in the enjoyment of all the rights solemnly guaranteed to them by treaty, we believe that the evidence which such a Commission might obtain would elicit information calculated to remove many perplexing difficulties, whilst its appointment would be hailed by F