A.—3a,

12

No. 13. Copt of a Despatch: from Governor Geet to the Eight Hon. Earl Geet. (No. 106.) Mt Lokd, Government House, Wellington, 29th November, 1848. I have the honour to transmit, in order that Her Majesty's pleasure may be taken thereon, an Ordinance which I have enacted, with the advice and consent of my Legislative Council, intituled " An Ordinance to Provide for the Establishment of Provincial Legislative Councils in the Colony of New Zealand." 2. As this Ordinance is only intended as an introductory step to the establishment of a complete Constitution, which I regard as that which is best adapted to the Islands occupied in the irregular manner in which these have been, and which are inhabited by such mixed and peculiar races; and as the whole merits of the Ordinance will depend upon Her Majesty's Government approving in the first instance of the form of Constitution which I propose should be ultimately adopted, and then upon their considering the present measure as a proper introductory step to such a Constitution, it will be necessary for me to explain in some detail my views upon this subject. 3. At the present moment the New Zealand Islands are only divided into two provinces, but recent despatches which I have received lead me to believe that they will shortly be divided into three, if not into four provinces. I have also received despatches which inform me that the boundaries of the provinces now existing are only lo be regarded as temporarily fixed, and that they will probably be altered within a few months. It will be impracticable, therefore, until these details are adjusted, to attempt to introduce any system of representative government which would present a character of the slightest permanence. I apprehend, however, that within a period of four or five years the whole of these details will have been adjusted. 4. There is also every probability that within the same period of time the amount of European population within these Islands will have so much increased as not to present so striking a disparity in point of numbers, when compared to the Native race, as at present; that the supplies of arms and ammunition of the Natives will be exhausted; that their fondness for war will have declined ; that they will have made great progress in civilisation, and that their jealousy and suspicion of the Europeans will have become extinct ; and this is the more likely to be the case as by the period of time I have indicated there is every probability that all disputes connected with the subject of the lauds of the Natives will have been satisfactorily and finally arranged. 5. As there is every apparent chance that within such a short period of time the measures which have been hitherto successful will have secured permanent prosperity and tranquillity to New Zealand, and as it is clear that, when the country is in such a state and can defray its own expenses, the European population will be very impatient under the form of Government at present in existence, I think it would be a wise and prudent line of policy on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, at the same time that they continue the exertions that they have already made for the permanent settlement of the country, to carry on concurrently with these, modifications in the existing form of Government, which should gradually prepare the way for a complete system of representative institutions which might be brought into full and complete operation at the time that the operation of the Act of Parliament which suspends the Constitution of this colony expires. By pursuing this policy your Lordship will, at the same time that you are completely adjusting the affairs of the country, bo preparing a form of Government which will afford every practicable guarantee for the future maintenance of the state of tranquillity and prosperity to which the country will have been brought when it is introduced, whilst I fear that, unless some precautionary measures of this kind are taken, by some imprudent or hasty proceedings all the good which has with so much cost and trouble been effected may at a future period be speedily swept away. The following is the outline of the form of Government which I would recommend should be ultimately adopted for these Islands : — (1.) I would recommend that one General Assembly should be constituted for the whole of the New Zealand Islands, to consist of a Legislative Council of persons summoned thereto by Her Majesty ; and of an Assembly to be composed of representatives returned by the several provinces into which New Zealand may be divided, in such proportions as the European population of each province may bear to the European population of the whole Islands, in as nearly as these several amounts of population can be ascertained. (2.) I would further recommend that a Legislative Council, consisting of one Chamber, should be constituted in each province into which New Zealand may be divided, to be composed of persons summoned thereto by Her Majesty, and of representatives elected thereto by the electors of the province, one-third of the whole Council being appointed by Her Majesty and two-thirds being elected by the inhabitants of the province. In this Chamber the Governor or Lieutenant-Governor should not have a seat. (3.) I would recommend that those towns or districts which desire to have municipal corporations should have such institutions bestowed upon them, but that a participation in the advantages of a Legislative Council should in no way be made dependent upon a town or district accepting a municipal corporation, or the contrary. (4.) I would recommend that the General Assembly for the New Zealand Islands should possess in full all the powers of legislation which are usually conferred upon such Assemblies, and that the Governor-in-Chief, or person acting in that capacity, should have all the usual powers of giving or withholding his assent to Bills passed by the Assembly. And I would further recommend that the General Assembly should be empowered to make laws modifying or altering either the constitution or powers of the Provincial Legislative Councils. Provided always that such laws should not come into operation until they had been laid before Her Majesty in Council for the Eoyal assent. (5.) I would recommend that the Provincial Legislative Councils should possess all the powers of legislation which are conferred on such bodies by the Ordinance herewith transmitted for Her Majesty's