A.—No. 1

62

DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF

" Eurther, because, if stationed in localities which are the keys of the settled " country, such force will not only be a symbol of British power in the eyes of the " Natives, but an actual means of military protection, affording rallying points for " the local forces whose operations may be of a more mobile and active character. " And further, because an Imperial Eorce will present a type of discipline and " military control which cannot fail to have a most important and beneficial effect " on the organization of a local force, however different a system of organizing " such a force the circumstances of the Colony may render advisable. " The Commissioners will negotiate with the Imperial Government as to the " terms on which such Imperial Eorce will be stationed in the Colony. They will " endeavour to secure the most favourable terms which the Imperial Government " may be willing to grant. They will bring under the attention of the Imperial " Government the fact that legislative provision has been made by the Earliament " of New Zealand enabling the Commissioners to bind the Colony for five years to " such terms as may be agreed upon between Her Majesty's Government and " themselves as the representatives of the Colony; and they will recall to the " recollection of the Imperial Government the various Despatches of Her " Majesty's Secretaries of State in which it has been intimated that military " assistance might be given on condition of the Colony contributing to the cost —■ " a rule which prevails at present with reference to a large number of British " Colonies. " They will fully represent the special circumstances of this Colony, and its " peculiar claims on the sympathy of the Imperial Government; and also that the " withdrawal at this critical time of all Imperial Troops is not a mere negation of " aid to the Colonists, but a positive encouragement to the rebels, and injurious to " the Colonists and to those of the Natives who are loyal to the Crown. " The Commissioners will not consider themselves at liberty to pledge the " Colony to pay for, or contribute towards the cost of an Imperial Eorce of more " than 1,000 men, or to agree with the Imperial Government for stationing in the " Colony more than that number. Any negotiations in that direction must be " expressly subject, so far as the Colony is concerned, to the special sanction of " the General Assembly. * * * * * * * " The Commissioners are no doubt aware that the relations between the " Imperial and Colonial Governments, particularly on the subject of military aid, " have not for some time past been so harmonious as could have been wished. " The Commissioners will, in their communications with the Imperial Govern- " ment, use every endeavour to remove any unfavourable feeling from the mind " of the Imperial Government, and to revive, if possible, (and Government believes " it is quite possible,) feelings of Imperial sympathy towards the Colony and of " mutual harmony between the two Governments." 5. I annex, at the instance of Mr. McLean, the Minister for Defence and Native Affairs, a Memorandum showing the views of himself and his colleagues on the probable effects of the entire withdrawal of the Queen's troops at the present juncture. 6. I have been further requested to submit that a large portion of this community consider that' —entirely irrespective of the Maoris —it is desirable for the Colony to maintain a small garrison of Imperial Troops, as a nucleus and pattern for the Militia and Volunteers in case of a foreign war, and also as a tangible symbol of common nationality and common allegiance with Great Britain. 7. While it has been my duty to acquaint your Lordship with the opinion generally held by the Ministers, the Legislature, and the public of New Zealand respecting this important subject, I am fully sensible of the manifold practical difficulties which surround it, and of the weight of the arguments employed in the concluding paragraphs of the Despatch now under reply. 8. Einally, I understand that Her Majesty's Government have now decided that no portion of the British Army shall remain in Ncav Zealand on any terms whatsoever. General Chute has also informed me that, in obedience to instructions received from the War Office by the last mail, he has issued the necessary orders to the Commandant at Auckland (Colonel Elliot) for the removal of the 2-18 th