Fellow settlers! the mountebank statesmen who so much amused you... their new constitution for New Zealand. [Poster]. February 3, 1851.

Refers to a meeting of the Constitutional Association who were trying to foist a constitution on unwilling settlers.

Exhibited as part of the exhibition "I protest" in Alexander Turnbull Library foyer, Feb-April 1997.

Extended Title - They want your sanction to a scheme for getting New Zealand into their own hands, so that they may carve and distribute it amongst themselves and their followers...Such impudent quackery must be opposed and put down.

Inscriptions: Recto - bottom right - Printed at the "Spectator" office.

The struggle to formulate a New Zealand constitution was complicated by the rivalry of the pro-Imperial, pro-Grey faction (whose views, reflected on this poster, were published by the "New Zealand spectator and Cook's Strait guardian"), and the pro-Wellington, pro-Fox faction (whose views were published by the "Wellington independent"). The latter group formed the Wellington Settlers' Constitutional Association, a very well organised and effective group which was pushing for more provincial power than Governor Grey may have wished to see. It organised the meeting mentioned here, where it called for "absolute control of all internal affairs of the colony without any interference whatsoever on the part of the Imperial Government". Five hundred attended, although it is unknown how many were supporters and how many were pro-Imperial opponents encouraged by this poster. The British Government finally passed the Constitution Act in 1852, having received advice from both factions through Grey and Fox.

Quantity: 1 b&w art print(s).

Physical Description: Letterpress on paper 542 x 391 mm.

Provenance: Originally part of the Mantell collection. ("Mantell 425" written in pencil at top right)

Alternative form available: File print in Ephemera Room.