(Copy.)

Sir,—The London Committee of the Northern Association of New Zealand have the honour to acknowledge the receipt (on the 24th instant) of Mr. Forster's letter of the 15th instant, in which they are informed, by your direction, that "it is with regret you have read the language this Committee have used respecting the Government and Legislature of New Zealand, whose authority we appear to repudiate;" and that you "cannot but express your surprise that we should write as though we had forgotten that the Government and Legislature exist under the provisions of Acts of the Imperial Parliament:" and further, "that you can see no reason to change the opinions which have already been conveyed to us by your desire.

While expressing their extreme regret that you should have arrived at such conclusions, this Committee think it necessary, in justification of what they have written, to submit that they had no intention to repudiate the lawful authority of the Government and Legislature of New Zealand; and that they were not unmindful that that Government and Legislature exist under the provisions of Acts of the Imperial Parliament. But they hope to be excused for doubting whether the action of that Government, of which they complain, can be justified by any provision contained in any Act of the Imperial Parliament relating to New Zealand, or in any other Imperial statute.

They have been unable to find any provision authorising Sir George Grey to delegate his functions as Governor to any junto of the Queen's subjects who may have influence enough to sway the votes of a majority of the House of Representatives. They consider that such a delegation (even subject to the limitation that it shall not include what are loosely called "Imperial interests,") whether under the pretext of making the subordinate functionaries of the Local Government responsible to a majority of the House of Representatives, or under any other pretext, is a violation of the trust committed to the Governor by the Queen' Commission and Instructions under her Royal sign manual and signet, and equally incompatible with his duty to the Crown, and to such of Her Majesty's subjects as live under his government, and are entitled to the Queen's protection. They accordingly considered that in protesting against being subject to such an abuse of government, they were manifesting their loyalty to the Crown, and their regard for the law.

This Committee believe that every Act of Parliament is intended for the benefit and protection of such of Her Majesty's subjects as are affected by it; and they also believe in the page 16 disposition of the Legislature to amend any statute which may have failed in its object and may have become a source of injury and oppression to any class of the Queen's subjects, instead of a provision for their benefit and protection. In this belief the colonists of Auckland have, during the last thirteen years, continued to petition the Imperial Legislature for such on alteration in the Constitution as would accomplish in their behalf the true objects of government; and this Committee, considering that their petitions have been overlooked for so long a period, think they may be excused if they have urged, even with vehemence, an inquiry into the causes of the disorganisation and rebellion under which the petitioners have suffered.