The Imperial Government have now three courses practically open to them, one of which they must follow. They may retain the management of New Zealand native affairs in their own hands, supplying the force required to retrieve past failures and to give effect to their administration in future, and depending on the liberality of the colonists for the continuance of a contribution from them to the extent of their means. Or they may insist upon abandoning a work, which in their hands has got into a state of serious entanglement, to the colonists, adhering to the terms last pro-pounded by the Secretary of State, and so alienating the colonists and dooming the aborigines to anarchy and degradation. Or they may effect an honourable transfer of their troublesome duty, offering as the basis of an arrangement with the colonists efficient aid for a term of years in money if not in men.

That I may not be misunderstood I distinctly page 73 assert that the colonists would now as ever undertake the labour and responsibility of native affairs, confident in being able to conduct them satisfactorily, if only the expense seemed to be within their means. But if the Imperial Government prefer to follow the first named course, the colonists will be content while an able Governor remains in the colony, if he be supported and not thwarted from home, that the execution of his plans may he rendered possible. The gist of their demand is reasonable: that the Imperial Government should see the colony through the great trouble which has been brought upon them, and should render the natives thoroughly subdued and obedient before handing over the liabilities of government to the colonists. And (hey declare that the policy of the Secretary of State if adhered to will force them into either a breachof faith to the natives or a military expenditure byond their means.

I have now endeavoured so to narrate the history of the relations between the mother country and its colony of New Zealand in native affairs as to render the case of the colonists intelligible; to prove the falsity of the charges commonly brought against them; and to indicate generaly the course which events must take for the future. I need not say that the broad question of Imperial and Colonial relations, in reference to external defence and such other matters as concern the colony proper, has not been touched upon, and is of at all affected by the subject under notice. But I venture to observe page 74 that many considerations which I have pointed out in the case of New Zealand affect also the Cape of Good Hope and any other colonies of Great Britain where an aboriginal race exists in any strength, and where expense is involved by an enlightened regard for their interests. Excluding this class of case, the British colonies as a whole hardly cost the mother country so much money in proportion to their value as to render necessary an entire change of plan for their management.