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/69

 Rh And in their social System and domestic Government?
 * Yes, much the same; they are of the same Class decidedly; they mix together much, meeting frequently; those on the Northern Island fighting with those on the Southern; they mix together and make Prisoners.

They intermarry?
 * Yes, in some Instances, I believe they do.

Had you any Communication with the Natives with respect to the Transfer of the Sovereignty of the Country to a Foreign Power?
 * Never.

Would they understand what was the Meaning of an entirely new Government being established over the whole Face of the Country?
 * Yes, I think they would; though at the same Time I think it would be a difficult Point to get them to accede immediately to such a Proposal.

You think they would require a greater Inducement than a few Blankets?
 * Oh yes; if that were the Proposal it would require a much greater Inducement. I think they have already found out the Folly of their having sold the Portion of Land they have sold.

What Inducement do you think would be sufficient to bring them to give up their Independence?
 * I think calling the Chiefs together, and making them a Compensation; proposing Terms such as the Goverment might think were equitable.

Might they not be informed what their Condition would be, that of subordinate Chiefs, in case of such Sovereignty being established?
 * Yes, certainly.

Have they suffered enough from the Europeans settled among them to make it desirable for them to be transferred?
 * No; I do not think they have suffered in so very great a Degree as to wish it, but still I think they would be glad to get it. There are very few, except at the Bay of Islands One, and Two and Three here and there.

In those Places where the Settlers are so thinly scattered, supposing any Question arose between such a Settler and a Native, would the Settler have recourse to the native Authorities for the Purpose of settling their Disputes?
 * I do not think he would.

How would it be settled?
 * He would deliver up his Right to his Land rather than allow them to go to war.

The Settler would do that?
 * Yes.

Suppose any Question to arise of Difference between a Settler and the Natives, how would that be settled?
 * The Settler would have no Power; he would be obliged to succumb to the Desire of the Natives; he possesses no Power.

The Power he possesses now is less than the Power which the New Zealander possesses?
 * Certainly; the White Man possesses no Power at all, for if the New Zealanders chose they could annihilate the whole of the Europeans in One Day. They are People who have great Courage.

Do the Chiefs exercise any sovereign Authority in the Administration of Justice, in their Fashion?
 * Yes, I think they do.

Are they tenacious of the Possession of that Power?
 * I think they like to keep it to themselves as far as they possibly can.

Is there any common or general Authority, or are the Chieftains supreme within their respective Districts?
 * I have heard them and seen them sit together and form a Council of War;

(123.2.)