The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 10
Par. 141
Par. 141.
The purpose of the last 50 pages of the pamphlet was not solely, as Mr. Richmond suggests, "to enforce the necessity of a just and honest policy." The chief purpose was to shew, what have been the fruits of the existing mode of managing Native Affairs. Nominally, Native Affairs are committed to a Governor responsible to the Crown. But, in fact, the Governor possesses no substantial power, and cannot obtain such power except upon such terms as may be imposed by persons, who represent neither the Crown nor the Natives. He may propose plans, but he can do little beyond that. There is under existing circumstances no security for the establishment of any complete and consistent plan for solving the Native difficulty, much less for steadily carrying out such apian for a reasonable length of time.
The last Session has shewn us, that there are among the Colonists men capable of taking a just and comprehensive view of the relations of the two races. But thought and labour were stimulated by the war. The same amount of interest and exertion cannot be expected under ordinary circumstances.
My purpose was to shew that the existing system of management has issued in alternate fits of neglect and of intimidation, of non-government and of misgovernment; and thereby to suggest that the same mode of management, if continued, will only lead to a recurrence of the same deplorable results.
Original Text of the letter cited above p. 25.