In the face of the causes making for annexation sketched in the last chapter, the officials hung back to the last.

In 1837 a body of persons appeared on the scene, and opened siege before Downing Street, whom even permanent officials could not ignore.

They were composed of men of good standing, in some cases of rank and even personal distinction.

They were not traders, but colonizers, and as such could not be ignored, for their objects were legitimate and their hands as clean as those of the missionaries.

They first formed, in 1837, a body called "The New Zealand Association." At their head was Mr.Francis Baring.