✨ Governor's Speech Text
458
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
HONORABLE GENTLEMEN AND GENTLEMEN,—
I heartily congratulate you on the wonderful progress of the Auckland Gold
Fields, and entirely concur in the sense which you have shown of their importance.
I am confident that national tranquillity and increased population are all that are
requisite to secure a great and general extension of the Gold Fields in that and
other parts of this auriferous country. Nothing will promote peace and immigration
more than the development of Gold Fields. The yield of the precious metal and
the growth of the prosperity of the Colony are reciprocal powers which act and
react on each other with the most beneficial effect.
While, however, you have shown yourselves sensible of the importance of
developing the resources hidden within the earth, I am glad that you have not
neglected another obvious source of wealth which is to be found on its surface in
the native Flax, and that you have directed inquiries to be made during the
recess which may lead to the further advancement of the growing trade in this
valuable material.
The absence during this Session of any considerable number of Petitions
from inhabitants of outlying Districts, suggesting changes in the Constitutional
machinery of Government, leads me to believe that the excitement on that
subject during last year was only of a superficial and ephemeral character, and
that the dissatisfaction with existing Local Institutions, which at one time
appeared to be widespread, is no longer felt.
I have already transmitted to Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for
the Colonies the Resolutions of both Houses and Acts affirming the expediency
of maintaining an Imperial Regiment in the Colony, and making provision for
its cost; and I will do all that is in my power to assist the Commissioners whom
you have determined to send to England to communicate with the Imperial
Government on this subject, by accrediting them to Her Majesty's Ministers, and
impressing on the attention of the latter the views of the Assembly.
I have every hope that, strengthened by the countenance and aid of the Imperial
Government, the Colony will, under the blessing of Divine Providence, be restored to
a condition of peace and prosperity; that the Settlers who have been molested by
Rebels will regain possession of their homesteads, and successfully resume their
industrial pursuits; and that insurrection will be finally suppressed.
I cannot conclude without recording my satisfaction at the cordial welcome
which was awarded by the whole Colony to His Royal Highness the Duke of
Edinburgh; whose visit, though occurring at a period of great depression, and
when the minds of the Colonists were engrossed with events of most serious
import, evoked all those feelings of loyalty towards the person and family of Her
Most Gracious Majesty which are everywhere entertained and expressed in the British
Dominions.
Printed under the authority of the New Zealand Government, by GEORGE DIDSBURY, Government Printer, Wellington.
NZ Gazette 1869, No 49
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
🏛️
Governor's Speech Closing Fourth Parliament Session
(continued from previous page)
🏛️ Governance & Central Administration3 September 1869
Parliament, Gold Fields, Flax trade, Imperial Regiment, Duke of Edinburgh, Loyalty
- Duke of Edinburgh (His Royal Highness), Visit evoked feelings of loyalty
- George Didsbury, Government Printer