Page:Report from the Select Committee of the House of Lords, appointed to inquire into the present state of the Islands of New Zealand.pdf/125

 Rh Do you think that the Chiefs understand what they require; do they wish to have the Sovereignty of that Country transferred to England?
 * That was my own Impression of their Feelings; that they were split up into so many insignificant Tribes, with no one referrable Head in the event of Dispute, they would gladly defer to some one interfering Power. The Non-existence of any recognized Law on any Subject there is another Matter which they feel very much.

Do you think that they would obey the Laws that we might enact for their Country?
 * I have no Doubt of it.

Do you think they would like having their Slaves made free, for instance?
 * As far as the Christian Natives are concerned that has already occurred; as soon as a Man is baptized it is understood that he has no Slaves, that they form Part of his Tribe at once.

What do you think of the others who are not Christians; do you think they would like to have their Slaves made free?
 * I am not prepared to say any thing upon that Subject.

Is there much Difficulty in bringing them to Christianity?
 * I should apprehend not, from what has occurred in the present State of Things with them; I have seen a great many Heathen Natives present at the Christian Services.

Have the Wesleyan Body employed any native Teachers to convert the Population to Christianity?
 * Yes.

Is not that one of the most efficient Means which has been found?
 * As far as the present Converts are concerned I do not think the native Teachers have had much Influence in that Way, because the Missionaries have always been resident themselves, and they have acted more in the Capacity of Catechists or Class Leaders, following up their System here. I think that the Natives would most cheerfully fall in with any Plan that might be adopted for their Benefit, in support of the Laws,— by acting as Constables, or something of that Sort.

Is there much Venereal Disease in the Western Part of that Island which you visited?
 * I had, I think, but Five or Six Cases under my Notice, and those were among the Heathen Tribes.

Do you know that that is a Disease which in that Country formerly did not exist, and did not appear until the Arrival of Christians?
 * From Inquiries, I believe I may say it did not appear before Europeans visited them.

It has been stated that Scrofula is the prevalent Disease of the Country?
 * It is so.

Does that lead to mental Derangement; are there many Cases of Lunacy?
 * I saw but One among the Natives.

Does it lead to pulmonary Diseases?
 * To a very considerable Extent.

Is it likely that the Natives who have been converted to Christianity would relapse into Heathenism, from seeing the Conduct of many Europeans who are not connected with the Wesleyan Methodists,— loose Characters?
 * I think that operates more as an Impediment to the Extension of Christianity than in its Influence upon the Character of the native Christians. As a Matter of Experiment, I endeavoured, by offering Wine and Spirits to some of the Christian Natives, to induce them to take it. It was done as Matter of Experiment. I never met with an Instance in which they would take it. It is quite otherwise with the Heathen Natives; they will take it whenever it is offered.

(123.3.)