Division of New Zealand into Two Colonies.

(B, referred to at page 11.)

This radical difference of position and interest between North and South Islands in "Native Matters" has led to an agitation for their temporary separation into two Colonies—the former, becoming, for a time, a Crown Colony, administered by a Crown appointed Governor and Nominee Council (including such thorough Masters of all Maori matters as Donald M'Lean and Dillon Bell, with some leading friendly chiefs) and the latter, retaining her present form of Constitution, page 26 intact, or "refitting "it in any way she might deem best. Sir George Grey, I believe, favours such a policy—and I certainly think it would be best; and that, too, whether the North Island is to have Mother Country aid or not. When solid peace has been won, and when the Maori, if ever, is the "Coated Yeoman," the two Islands would be easily re-united, and New Zealand be made that real "Unity" which now she is not. The following remarks from a late New Zealand Journal express a similar view—"The action of the Constitution should be suspended in the North Island until peace be permanently restored. The North Island should be placed under the direct rule of a Governor, irresponsible to the Colonists, and holding power and authority direct from the Home Government. Our acceptance of sole responsibility in native affairs was a mistake. The Maories, who formerly venerated the governor as the real representative of the Queen, have discovered that as things now are he is only a plastic instrument in the hands of a Ministry, who are again a changeable body, resting on the will of Parliament. Hence all but the shadow of authority has vanished in the eyes of the Maori, and with it has vanished also all but the shadow of their former respect; and that respect will not reappear until feudal chieftaincy is again assumed on behalf of Her Majesty with regard to the Maories of the North Island. This would necessitate a resumption of native control in the North Island by the Home Government, and its relinquishment by the Government of the Colony. It means, in short, a suspension of the Constitution as regards the North Island; and a temporary separation of the two islands, financially at least, until pacification is effected under the direct control of the Queen's representative."