June 19.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 715

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

During the year propositions were submitted by the Government of New South Wales for holding a Conference of delegates from the various colonies of Australasia in order to consider the question of creating one Federal Government. Recognising the magnitude of the subjects which were to be discussed, and the importance of cultivating close and friendly relations with the other colonies, I consented to accredit the Hon. Captain Russell and the Hon. Sir J. Hall to attend on behalf of the colony. The meeting took place in Melbourne during the month of February, when matters of the greatest moment were discussed. The report of the proceedings will be laid before you, and you will be asked to ratify the arrangement entered into for the appointment of delegates to attend a meeting of representatives of the colonies to be held this year.

Proposals were some time since submitted by the Imperial Government to my Ministers, inviting the colony to enter into an arrangement by which the rate of postage to Europe would be reduced to 2½d. per letter. My Advisers were unable to agree to these proposals, inasmuch as they would have entailed a serious loss of revenue, unless changes were made in the mail systems, which they could not, without your sanction, effect. You will be asked to discuss the matter, and to agree to a proposition which, if adopted, will, without causing a burden to the revenue, greatly reduce the cost of postage to the United Kingdom and other countries.

Returns will be laid before you from which you will learn that there has been during the year a large increase in all branches of traffic upon the railways, affording another evidence of a steady advance in the productive power of the colony.

There are now ready for your consideration Bills for consolidating and amending the law relating to the qualification and registration of electors and providing for the issue of electoral rights, dealing with the Civil Service, amending the law with regard to hospitals and charitable aid, amending the Counties Act, altering and consolidating the law of bankruptcy, and providing for local government on the west coast of the South Island, as well as other Bills dealing with matters of public interest. These Bills will shortly be placed before you.

During the recess a Commission was appointed for the purpose of considering how far the evil which has been termed “sweating” had affected New Zealand. The thanks of the country are due to the members composing this Commission for the ability, industry, and care with which they conducted their inquiries, and treated the matters which were referred to them. My Government, although gratified to learn from their report that “sweating” had not fully taken root, agree with the Commissioners that an amendment of the law is necessary. Bills, therefore, dealing with the questions referred to in the report, and other cognate subjects, will be submitted for your consideration.

I commend all these matters to your careful attention, and I assure you of my earnest desire to co-operate with you in endeavouring to further the interests of the colony. I pray that your deliberations may, by the blessing of God, promote the well-being of its inhabitants.

By Authority: GEORGE DIDSBUry, Government Printer, Wellington.