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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Rare Volume

Note II. p. 11

Note II. p. 11.

II. Expectations of the colonists excited on subject of self-government by Sir R. Peel, Lord J. Russell, Lord Howick, and Mr. B. Hawes.

In the course of the New Zealand debate in the House of Commons, which occurred on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of June, 1845 (see a full report, published in that year by Murray), Sir Robert Peel, then Prime-minister, said, "I am strongly inclined to think that representative government is suited for the condition of the people of that colony." He then proposed the int. education of municipal institutions, similar to those which existed in our early North American colonies, and quoted Burke as an authority. Lord John Russell asserted his belief "that the voice of the settlers themselves, speaking through their own representatives, could alone extricate the colony from the difficulties in which it was plunged." Earl Grey (then Lord Ho wick) "hoped they would revert to the ancient and wise policy of their ances- page 25 tors, and allow the colonists to govern themselves. He must say, that experience was decidedly in favour of allowing a colony to govern itself. We had before us a melancholy proof of the height to which misgovernment might be carried in Downing-street, and be was persuaded that it was utterly impossible for any man, be his talents or industry what they might, to administer the affairs of the British colonies, scattered as they were all over the world." Mr. B. Hawes said, "Do what they would, they must emancipate the colony from the Colonial Office; they must lay the foundation of local government, and the colony, left as free as possible, would soon display the original energy of the parent stock. The remedy he proposed was simply this, that the colonists should have local self-government."