Post by Kiwi Frontline on Jan 30, 2024 5:27:25 GMT 12
Owen Jennings: THE MIND OF JAMES BUSBY.
By early 1840 Busby as British resident was aware that the House of Lords in London had recommended in 1837 a voluntary transfer of sovereignty from the Māori to the British Crown. Hobson, who was appointed Consul, was instructed to carry out the Crown’s wishes. Hobson had three instructions – to gain freely given Māori recognition of British sovereignty over all or part of New Zealand, to assume complete control over land matters, and to establish a form of civil government.
He was required “to treat the Aborigines of New Zealand for the recognition of Her Majesty's Sovereign authority over the whole or any part of those islands which they may be willing to place under Her Majesty's dominion”.
If the concept of co-governance was in the front of his or Busby’s mind it is not difficult to consider he would have written a much different document.
There is not the slightest hint of co-governance in the preamble. Conversely, there are two clear references to Queen Victoria assuming sovereignty over “all lands”.
It is not credible to think that something as dramatic, unique and consequential as co-governance would not be very adequately introduced in this preamble. Equally, there would be a good deal more detail in the Articles, establishing a framework for co-governance beyond the much debated kawanatanga (governorship) and rangatiratanga (chieftainship) references in Article Two…..
breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2024/01/owen-jennings-mind-of-james-busby.html
By early 1840 Busby as British resident was aware that the House of Lords in London had recommended in 1837 a voluntary transfer of sovereignty from the Māori to the British Crown. Hobson, who was appointed Consul, was instructed to carry out the Crown’s wishes. Hobson had three instructions – to gain freely given Māori recognition of British sovereignty over all or part of New Zealand, to assume complete control over land matters, and to establish a form of civil government.
He was required “to treat the Aborigines of New Zealand for the recognition of Her Majesty's Sovereign authority over the whole or any part of those islands which they may be willing to place under Her Majesty's dominion”.
If the concept of co-governance was in the front of his or Busby’s mind it is not difficult to consider he would have written a much different document.
There is not the slightest hint of co-governance in the preamble. Conversely, there are two clear references to Queen Victoria assuming sovereignty over “all lands”.
It is not credible to think that something as dramatic, unique and consequential as co-governance would not be very adequately introduced in this preamble. Equally, there would be a good deal more detail in the Articles, establishing a framework for co-governance beyond the much debated kawanatanga (governorship) and rangatiratanga (chieftainship) references in Article Two…..
breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2024/01/owen-jennings-mind-of-james-busby.html