✨ Governor's Speech
Numb. 48. 985
THE
NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
EXTRAORDINARY.
Published by Authority.
WELLINGTON, FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 1894.
THE First Session of the Twelfth Parliament of New Zealand was this day
opened by the Governor, when His Excellency was pleased to make the
following
SPEECH.
HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND GENTLEMEN OF THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
It gives me great pleasure to meet you in Parliament assembled.
During the present year I have been enabled to visit Rarotonga, and other parts
of the Hervey Group indirectly connected with this colony. There I was not only
charmed with the romantic scenery of that beautiful cluster of islands, but I was
gratified by the uniformly loyal and friendly greeting accorded me by the natives.
They appear to be both fairly happy and contented, and thoroughly satisfied with
the protection given them by the Queen's rule. My observations led me to conclude
that a fair opening exists there for developing a useful trade with New Zealand.
The protracted confusion still disturbing Samoa has induced my Advisers to
urge upon the Imperial Government that England should utilise this colony to
control and manage the Navigator Islands. It is obvious that the triple control
contemplated by treaty has been as unsatisfactory to the great Powers concerned
as it has been injurious to Samoa. It is so clearly the destiny of New Zealand to
play a leading part in Polynesia that my Advisers confidently expect your con-
currence in the suggestion made by them.
Papers relating to the Postal Conference held here will be laid before you.
The Imperial importance of the Conference now assembling at Ottawa has been
recognised by my Ministers, who have therefore despatched thither a gentleman of
approved standing and commercial experience to represent New Zealand.
Though I cannot congratulate you either upon an abundant harvest or upon
high prices to be obtained for the colony's staple products, I nevertheless think that
the position of New Zealand affords matter for real satisfaction. Natural causes,
the state of the Home markets, and the caution instilled into financial institutions,
presumably by the late Australian panic, have undoubtedly thrown temporary diffi-
culties in the path of rapid progress. Nevertheless, the energy and the courage of our
colonists, and the resources of the country, have never been more clearly dis-
played. Thanks to these, and to the prudence and success of the financial policy
sanctioned by the late Parliament, the volume of our products continues to increase,
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NZ Gazette 1894, No 48
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🏛️ Governor's Speech to Parliament
🏛️ Governance & Central Administration22 June 1894
Parliament, Governor, Speech, Rarotonga, Samoa, Postal Conference, Ottawa, Trade, Economy, Natural Resources