INTRODUCTION. 37 



clergy, and churches for the people, has, in my opinion, many ad- 

 vantages. It affords direct relief to the tax-payers, and material 

 aid to the congregations ; the minister being provided with a 

 comfortable dwelling and a few acres of land, will require but 

 little from his parishioners, who could thus, by direct and indirect 

 means, easily provide for his maintenance. He would not be 

 wholly dependent on his congregation, but quite sufficiently so to 

 create that sort of mutual dependence which must engender 

 kindly intercourse. 



I, however, prefer the system which would provide a general 

 fund for ecclesiastical purposes, and would distribute the same 

 among the different Christian congregations, according to the 

 number of individuals belonging to each the application of such 

 funds, to the best interests of religion, being left to the congrega- 

 tions themselves and their clergy, or to committees formed for 

 the purpose ; satisfactory guarantees being, however, given that 

 the sums contributed from the public treasury shall be applied to 

 the sole purposes for which they are voted. These funds might 

 be applied, 1st, as a provision for the clergy ; 2nd, to the build- 

 ing or repair of parsonages ; and, 3rd, to the erection or repair of 

 churches. I regard this plan as the safest, the most impartial, 

 and, from all appearances, the most beneficial in its results. 

 The most objectionable system is, evidently, that which abun- 

 dantly provides for one church, and refuses all aid to others. For, 

 that which, in this respect, may be deemed wise and politic in 

 Great Britain, is unjust and supremely unwise in countries situ- 

 ated like ours, where there already exist too many causes of dis- 

 content and division. 



I have already stated it as my opinion, that legislation has 

 ry little power in the development of civilisation where the 

 latter does not, in some measure, already appear ; and that the 

 enactments, if not adapted to the requirements of a people, 

 ill not only make them discontented, but may render them 

 liserable ; whilst judicious laws and ordinances, well adapted to 

 the status of the community for which they are intended, will 

 command a ready compliance. 



Legislation affecting the interests of these islands may proceed' 

 from the mother country, or originate in the colonies them- 

 selves. Legislation from the former may affect commercial or 

 general matters; but, under present circumstances, we cannot 

 expect much from our national parent. We cannot, for in- 

 stance, expect that any alteration should be made in the com- 

 mercial policy of Great Britain, to suit our position ; but we have 

 a right to ask for an extension of the principles of free trade to 

 our staple products. To mention sugar only it is but too 

 evident that the duty on that article ought to be reduced ; for, 

 we at present pay an ad valorem impost of, at least, 100 per cent. 



cu 



, 



lat^v. 

 best 

 will 



mise 



