The Condominium.

On one score Grey was assuredly in the wrong, and his Ministers as certainly in the right. He desired to negotiate alone with the Maoris. He would have acted unconstitutionally if he had. A great change had taken place in the Governor's relations with the Maoris in the previous year. When the constitution had been brought into operation, the administration of Native affairs was left in the hands of the Governor, as representing the Imperial Government. This reservation was undoubtedly made to restrain the rapacity of the colonists. The Secretary of State could control his own appointee and representative; he could not control a colonial legislature. After seven or eight years' trial the condominium had proved a failure. Accounts again vary respecting the manner of the devolution. Sir Charles Adderley asserts that Grey insisted on the necessity of retaining his control of Native affairs, and this best consists with our knowledge of his character. Mr. Rusden on the other hand affirms that Grey himself proposed to his Ministers to surrender his autocracy. A series of conflicts ensued. We might think that Ministers would gladly accept complete control of the Native race, realising all the power that such control would give. But they also realised that greater responsibility would involve a larger expenditure; and the Imperial Government would not even then relinquish the right of vetoing distasteful or oppressive measures. In 1862 the Fox Ministry was defeated in attempting to maintain the separate system of Native guardianship, and the Domett-Bell Ministry succeeded page 146to carry it out. For the Duke of Newcastle had cut the Gordian knot by pronouncing that the attempt to administer Native affairs by the Imperial Government had been "a shadow of responsibility without any beneficial exercise of power." An Imperial Act empowered the Colonial Legislature to repeal the 73rd section of the Constitution Act, and Ministers took over the department of Native Affairs. The Ministry had now a clear title to guide and influence deliberations that might have peace or war for their issue. The Ministers were therefore in the right to insist on being present with the Governor at Ngaruawahia when he discussed the terms of a possible peace. He could not act but on the advice of his Ministers. Grey's contention was untenable, and the results of the refusal to open negotiations therefore rest on his shoulders.