JUNE 5.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 905

other hand, direct dealing for Maori land by Europeans, has been open to objections of a very grave character. The good of the Colony, not less than the interest of the Natives, requires a complete change; and a Bill will be submitted to you by which it will be proposed to permit the disposal of Native land only through the Land Boards of the Colony, or by direct sale to the Crown.

Papers relating to the work of the West Coast Commission will be laid before you, together with a final report on the subject from the Commissioner. Sir William Fox has for several years devoted himself with great care, attention, and discretion to the fulfilment of the duties of that office; and the Colony has good reason to be satisfied with the manner in which he has completed the work entrusted to him.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,—

The estimates of revenue and expenditure for the current year, will be laid before you very shortly.

The lessened income from the principal industries of the country has led to greater frugality of living among the people; and during the past financial year the receipts from some of the principal sources of revenue have consequently fallen short of the amounts they were estimated to yield. This reduction in the colonial revenue calls for greater economy and diminished expenditure in the Public Service.

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,—

When I had the pleasure of meeting you, at the opening of last Session, discussion was proceeding between my Government and the Governments of Australia, respecting concerted action to induce the Imperial Government to establish British rule, or protection, over certain islands of the Pacific. I then informed you that I had telegraphed to the Secretary of State, expressing my full concurrence in the desirableness of the proposed action. It was, before the end of the session, announced to Parliament that it was determined to hold a Convention, to consider the questions of Confederation and Annexation, and that it would be attended by representatives of New Zealand.

I readily consented to accredit the Premier and the Honourable Sir Frederick Whitaker, his predecessor in office, to attend the Convention on behalf of this Colony. The meeting took place at Sydney, during the months of November and December last, and afforded an opportunity for the discussion of several matters affecting intercolonial interests. The Report of the Convention will be at once presented to you.

Papers will also be laid before you relating to Confederation and Annexation, and to the action taken and proposed to be taken by the French Government with regard to the transportation of convicts and relapsed criminals to these seas.

You will be invited to consider certain resolutions of the Convention, especially those concerning the convict question; and also to consider a draft Bill having for its object the establishment of a Federal Council. The provisions of this Bill in no way affect the powers of the several Colonies respecting the control of their own affairs; but it is deemed to be of importance that there should be a body having authority to act in matters of Australasian concern, as to which individual Colonies would be powerless, or be capable of no more than weak or dilatory action. Any action taken from time to time by the Imperial Government would be greatly facilitated by the existence of a body representing united Australasia, with which they might confer on matters concerning the relations between this part of the Empire and foreign countries.

Returns will be laid before you from which you will learn that there was during the year a large increase in the traffic on the railways, indicating a considerable growth in the industries of the Colony. But it was found during the last few months, that, notwithstanding this increase, there would be a deficiency in the actual receipts as compared with the estimates which were submitted to you last session. Large expenditure had also become indispensable, not only for providing necessary appliances, but also for affording increased facilities to those using the lines. In these circumstances, the Government decided to exercise the power given to them by the Legislature, and to raise the tariff of charges to a rate nearly equal to that which, without bearing unfairly upon any class, had formerly been in