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THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

The great difficulty of the country must be grappled with, and a permanent
remedy applied to a state of things which is paralyzing industry, and in every
way restricting the progress and settlement of the country. Any policy which
fails of such a result will but abandon the country to disaster and ruin, which,
spreading far beyond the scenes of conflict, will be felt by all sections of the
community throughout New Zealand.

Such a policy demands a highly organized force, embodied for a definite
period, established in the best strategical positions, and occupied in perfecting
their communications.

Correspondence between His Excellency the Governor and the Secretaries
of State for the Colonies, in reference to the retention of Imperial Troops in New
Zealand, and especially to the Resolutions on the subject passed by both Houses
during last Session, will be laid before you. The question cannot be further
pressed by the Legislature with any dignity or self-respect, or any beneficial result
to the people of New Zealand.

A Bill of a temporary character will be submitted to you providing summary
means of dealing with persons taken in arms against the Queen, or who may
have been concerned in exceptional barbarities on the part of the rebels.

The conquest of a permanent Peace will require an exceptional expenditure
beyond what it is advisable to levy in the shape of annual revenue, and a portion
of it should be provided for by loan. An application for a guarantee to such loan
has been made to the British Government. You will probably believe that the
condition of the country requires a renewal of the application, and justifies the
hope that the last prayer of the Colony to the Mother Country will not be
rejected.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, -

Estimates of expenditure for the ensuing financial year will be laid before
you. While providing for the efficiency of the services, they exhibit, with the
exception of the requirements for Defence purposes, a reduction of the expenditure
of the country.

The results of the operations under the Consolidated Loan Act, up to the
most recent date, will be laid before you. You will gladly recognize that, owing
to the able manner in which the operations have been conducted, a considerable
diminution in the annual charges on the revenues has been effected.

HONOURABLE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES,

The Electric Telegraph is in course of extension to Wanganui on the one side,
and towards Taupo and Auckland on the other. The cessation of active warfare will
be immediately followed by the completion of the latter line to the Capital and
Gold Fields of the North.

These singular and rich fields continue to increase in importance, and reliable
authorities prognosticate the extension of discoveries of like deposits throughout
many parts of the Northern Island, which will give profitable employment to a large
population. The bearing of this on the early pacification and security of the country
is important.

The approaching termination of the present Parliament calls for legislation to
readjust the representation of the people, in conformity with the altered condition of
the several districts.

You will be invited to consider a measure for making undevised Real Estate
distributable amongst next of kin, in the same manner as Personal Property.

Although the Native question will largely engage your attention, other matters
of public interest and importance will doubtless not be neglected.

In the especial circumstances under which you are assembled, may the Spirit
of Wisdom so guide your counsels as to promote the welfare of the people of
New Zealand.

Printed under the authority of the New Zealand Government, by GEORGE DIDSBURY, Government Printer, Wellington.