Chap, XVII. OPPOSITION TO NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION. 451 
speculations at a period subsequent to his dismissal. 
It should be borne in mind, however, that the success 
of his very extensive land-sharking was much promoted 
by the spiritual influence which he had attained as 
chairman of the Wesleyan mission. 
A printing-press was also introduced, in 1836, into 
New Zealand by the Wesleyan mission. The Secretary 
of the Wesleyan Missionary Society reported to the 
House of Lords' Committee, in April 1838, that the 
number of communicants might be stated in round 
numbers at about 1000, exclusive of catechumens who 
only attend public worship, and also of children in 
the schools. 
It was at this time that the New Zealand Associa- 
tion commenced its operations, and encountered the 
inveterate opposition of both the Missionary Societies. 
Although clergymen high in the Church were among 
the most active members of the Association ; although 
their plan of colonization combined, on a scale grander 
than any yet attempted, " the civilization and evangeli- 
" zation of the New Zealanders" which the venerable 
Marsden had also looked forward to as the joint result 
of his system, the Secretaries of both the Missionary 
Societies had been implacable in their enmity to any 
sort of colonization. The principles on which the 
Association proposed to save the people of New Zealand, 
by a system of Native Reserves which should preserve 
the chief in his high station among his people, and 
those on which the intending colonists proposed to 
further this end by the institution of social alliances 
with the chiefs, and an amalgamation rendered sacred 
by the code of honour, were perhaps the wisest and 
most charitable devices for the gradual amelioration of 
a barbarous race by kindly and cherishing degrees, 
that have been known in the history of the world. 
2fi2 
