Captain Hobson

            
            
            
             As the new Secretary of State for the Colonies I wish to begin with our most important task at hand, the fair colonisation of New Zealand. Lord Normanby believed this to be the most significant undertaking to the British Crown at this time, and I share his view. I understand that New Zealand possesses rich natural resources and land with great opportunity and potential, which has already become invaluable to Britain. .
             I would like to restate some of the most important details laid out in Normanby's letter.
             As you are aware not less than 2,000 British subjects, most predominantly whalers and sealers are already inhabited in New Zealand and it is expected to increase dramatically. It is known that these new settlers have become a law unto themselves and it is imperative that the attitude of the British subjects does not have an adversely negative result on the indigenous peoples of New Zealand. This is happening with the uncontrolled sale of muskets and alcohol, the unrecognised purchase of land and the spread of diseases such as influenza. In the past we have been scorned for our mistreatment of the indigenous peoples of the Crowns acquired lands , resulting in wars and lasting distain to the Crown, as in the cases of the aborigines of Australia and Native Americans. This new land is our opportunity to make the natives a valid contributor to our lands and be treated as fairly and equally as any member of the Crown. .
             However, we cannot rightfully protect these natives nor the settlers themselves without the consent of the indigenous people to establish a civil government. As my predecessor Normanby stated it is of primary importance to put in place a treaty that can protect the interests of the natives. .
             Your task is to mediate between the aborigines and help them to understand the significance of this treaty. As also stated by Normanby, the missionaries will be invaluable to this task, as many have already gained their trust and ways of their language.