CHAP. I.] GENERAL REMARKS. 19 



whether by water or by land, is difficult, or at least 

 uncertain. As in all countries of a similar nature, 

 the centralizing power is weak, but the individual 

 communities are strong and independent. Such 

 countries nourish the spirit of freedom, and are the 

 birthplace of enterprising municipal corporations. 

 Of advantageous revenue none can be reasonably 

 expected : if it is high, it comes from the duties on 

 fermented liquors, and in that case it proves any- 

 thing but prosperity. Smuggling to a great extent 

 cannot be prevented, unless custom-house officers 

 are established in at least fifty different places ; an 

 arrangement which must entail great loss upon the 

 treasury. But it is damping the spirit of the colo- 

 nist, if what is collected in one place is spent in 

 another. I repeat, therefore, nothing will assist 

 New Zealand so much as good municipal institu- 

 tions ; and the emulation naturally arising between 

 settlements that are formed by people of the same 

 nation will materially contribute to the general 

 welfare of the community. New Zealand will rise 

 slowly, but it must found its rise upon agriculture. 

 Any material check to its prosperity need not be ap- 

 prehended, if expectations are moderate, and if the 

 land questions are liberally and speedily settled. 



Not the least important feature in this colony is, 

 that there exists already a numerous and deserving 

 population of natives, who perfectly understand that 

 they have become English citizens, and are aware 

 of their duties and rights as such. It is pleasing to 



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