Establishment of British Factories desirable.

It has occurred to me that if factories were established at the Bay of Islands, at Cloudy Bay and Hokianga, and in other places, as the occupation by British subjects proceeds, a sufficient restraint could be constitutionally imposed on the licentious whites, without exciting the jealousy of the New Zealanders, or of any other Power.

I will not presume to enter too deeply into the details of such a measure, but beg simply to suggest that sections of land be purchased, enclosed, and placed within the influence of British jurisdiction, as dependencies of this colony.

The heads of factories should be magistrates, and the chief factor should, in addition, be accredited to the united chiefs of New Zealand as a political agent and consul. All communications with the British Government should take place through the chief factor, with whom alone the local factors should correspond.

All British subjects should be required to register themselves and their landed property at the factories.

Two or more of the most respectable British residents nearest to each station should hold Commissions of the Peace to assist the factors.

Prisons should be constructed within the factories, and legally proclaimed in the colony.

A treaty should be concluded with the New Zealand chiefs for the recognition of British factories, and the protection of British subjects and property.

To meet the expenses which the establishment of a system of factories upon the principle I have mentioned would necessarily entail, funds might be obtained from a variety of sources, such as a small fee on the registration of the purchase of land from the Natives, on the entry and clearance of British shipping, and a small percentage on goods and produce imported and exported. The greater security which would result from this system would, it is conceived, readily dispose the British subjects resident in New Zealand to conform to such an impost.

I am aware of the necessity of a British Act of Parliament to give effect to the whole system, to impart to the colonial Courts of New South Wales, more perfectly than at present, jurisdiction over offences committed by British subjects in New Zealand, and to the colonial Legislature to enact such laws in respect thereof as the more complete local knowledge of the country might from time to time suggest.

The benefit that may be supposed to result from the establishment of factories in New Zealand is not confined to the mere legal protection they are calculated to afford but we may hope they will be the means of introducing amongst the Natives a system of civil government which may hereafter be adopted and enlarged upon. Nor is it to be overlooked that in times of intestine war they will afford a safe retreat to our fellow-countrymen, who will become powerful by concentration.

I trust the imperfection of the foregoing details may not be allowed to militate against the measure I have the honour to suggest, but, if the principle be approved, that it may be modified and arranged by abler hands, so as to adapt it to the exigency of the case.