FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE

2ndly. Its provisions are elementary, and yet part of a system that will advance with the improving condition of the people, until it issues in the full establishment of British Institutions. 3rdly. It is admirably suited to the present wants of some of the districts, and indeed the demands from those districts have, I believe, suggested the present measure to the ministry. It is therefore not merely theoretical or experimental, but essentially practical. 4thly. From the very circumstances of the case, we have been obliged to confine ourselves to the "do nothing policy." Sir George Grey, with all his talent and energy, could not, except in a few particulars, rise •above the " sugar and flour" system ; but that intelligent philanthropic statesman will never consent that such a system should be stereotyped, and I cannot but believe that if that excellent Governor were here now, he would be one of the first to urge us to launch our boat, and move forward with the swelling tide. So far from fearing disturbance from the above measures, I consider them as the very best possible protection we have against it. For this I might refer as sufficient proof to the high favour in which the people of this district hold their magistrate, who has enabled them to take the first steps in organising their social state, and initiating measures not very dissimilar from those propounded in the above Bill. But I must beg leave to mention other advantages that we may expect from it. 1 st. U will give a field of employment to the present workings of the Native mind. 2ndly. It will indoctrinate them into the grand principles of British law. 3rdly, It will show that we do take an interest in their welfare. 4thly. It will brinir public opinion to bear strongly upon evils now rampant among them—i namely, ' tauas,'murder for witchcraft, petty aggressions by the stronger party, • taumau' of the women,'tapu;' besides helping much our magistrates in cases of offenders who, flying from the towns, take refuge in the interior. iithly. It will thus draw to our officers and attach to them the best and leading men amongst the people. Othly. It will supply the Governor with a good channel by which he can often ascertain the wishes and views of the people. In this district my brethren are, with myself, unanimous in their approval of those measures, as far as they have yet been put into operation ; and we should have regarded their rejection by the Legislative Assembly as a great national evil. I am, &c, (Signed) Church Missionary. July 24, 1858.

No. 5. ADDRESS OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR TO THE MAORI CHIEFS ASSEMBLED AT WAITEMATA ON THE lOtH OF JULY, 1860. My Friends, — Chiefs of New Zealand, 1. I have invited you to meet me on the present occasion that we may have an opportunity of discussing various matters connected with the welfare and advancement of the two Races dwelling in New Zealand. 2. I take advantage of it also to repeat to you and, through you, to the whole Maori people, the assurances of goodwill on the part of our Gracious Sovereign which have been given by each succeeding Governor from Governor Hobson to myself. 3. On assuming , the Sovereignty of New Zealand Her Majesty extended to her Maori subjects her Royal protection, engaging to dei'end New Zealand and the Maori people from all aggressions by any foreign power, and imparting to them all the rights and privileges of British subjects; and she confirmed and guaranteed to the Chiefs and Tribes of New Zealand, and to the respective families and individuals thereof, the full, exclusive and undisturbed possession of their lands and estates, forests, fisheries, and other properties which they may collectively or »ndividually possess, so long as it is their wish to retain the same in their possession. 4. In return for these advantages the Chiefs who signed the Treaty of Waitangi ceded for themselves and their people to Her Majesty the Queen of England absolutely and without reservation all the rights and powers of Sovereignty which they collectively or individually possessed or might be supposed to exercise or possess. 5. Her Majesty has instructed the Governors who preceded me, and she will instruct those who come after me, to maintain the stipulations of this Treaty inviolate, and to watch over the interests and promote the advancement of her subjects without distinction of Race. 6. Having renewed these assurances in the name of our Gracious Sovereign I now ask you to confer with me frankly and without reserve. If you have grievances, make them known to me, and if they are real, I will try to redress them. Her Majestj's wish is that all her subjects should be happy, prosperous, and contented. If, therefore, you can make any suggestions for the better protection of property, the punishment of offenders, the settlement of disputes or the preservation of peace, I shall gladly hear them and will give them the most favourable consideration.

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