1070
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

ment of the West Coast of this Island has been firmly taken in hand. One
large block has been surveyed, and will shortly be opened for sale; and the immediate
survey of the Waimate Plains has been ordered. Whilst the utmost considera-
tion for the former Native owners will be shown in dealing with these lands, a large
extent of valuable country will be available for sale and settlement.

My Advisers have found the position of the Government Native land pur-
chases to be very unsatisfactory; and, but for the legislation of last Session, which
enabled the Government temporarily to protect lands under negotiation by the Crown,
many blocks upon which large sums of public money have been spent would have
passed into the hands of private speculators. This is a question with which you will
be called upon to deal; and information sufficient, it is hoped, to enable you to con-
serve the interests of the colony in this respect, will be afforded you.

Measures for simplifying the procedure in investigations of title to Native lands,
as well as their alienation, will be submitted to you. The principles of those measures
have been discussed with many sections of the Native people; and it is believed that
the effect of them will be to place upon an equal footing all the Queen's subjects
who may desire to purchase Native lands.

The threatening aspect of European affairs caused the Imperial Government to
assemble in London a committee of scientific officers to consider the question of
colonial harbour defence. Those officers made recommendations for the defence of
the chief harbours of New Zealand, and the substance of those recommendations was
telegraphed to me by the Secretary of State, for the purpose of ascertaining whether
the colony would carry them out. On the advice of my Ministers, I have replied that
New Zealand accepts the duty; and the necessary armament will shortly arrive in the
colony. Papers on this subject will be submitted to you.

Measures have been prepared, and will be brought before you, dealing with Elec-
toral Reform, which, it is hoped, will tend to place the franchise, and the method of
electing members of the House of Representatives, upon a satisfactory basis.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, -

The Estimates which will be laid before you have been prepared so as to
promote economy and effective administration in the several departments.

You will find that there is a large increase of revenue, which indicates the
prosperity of the Colony; and its progress is rendered more certain by a marked
extension of the export trade.

The successful issue of the Loan authorized last Session is a further proof of the
opinion entertained in other countries of the stability of our financial position, and of
the general prosperity and peace which prevail in New Zealand.

Authority has been given to the Agents under the Consolidated Stock Act, to
convert New Zealand securities of a miscellaneous character into long-dated deben-
tures bearing a uniform rate of interest.

Measures will be introduced to place the taxation of the colony on a more
equitable basis, apportioning the public burdens according to the capacity to bear them;
and the Tariff will be submitted to revision, tending to relieve commerce of some
restrictions which retard its growth.

HONORABLE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, -

The Government have found that, in order to carry out any real administra-
tive reform, there must be an amalgamation of offices, as well as a simplification in
their administration. This has been specially felt in the Department of Justice. To
effect a saving of departmental expenditure, and at the same time to increase the
efficiency of the administration of justice, a Bill extending the jurisdiction of the
inferior Courts has been prepared, and will soon be laid before you. My Ministers
have endeavoured by this Bill to simplify the proceedings in the local Courts. Steps
have also been taken to obtain a simplification of the Supreme Court procedure;
and the Government hope that the benefits obtained in other countries from amend-
ing the procedure of the higher Courts of Judicature will be secured for this colony.