1672
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 82

London and took part in the Record Reign celebrations. The hearty and enthusiastic welcome accorded to all the Premiers and to the Colonial Defence Force Contingents by the vast concourse of people there assembled abundantly showed how closely we are united with those at Home, and how strong are the bonds of affection existing between the people of the colonies and their kindred in the Mother-country.

Visits were made by the representatives of the colonies to several of the principal towns in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, and everywhere the greatest hospitality and goodwill were manifested.

Amongst the important matters discussed between the Secretary of State and the colonial Premiers were questions relating to closer trade relationship with Great Britain, alien immigration, investment of trust funds in colonial securities, assimilation of commercial laws, improved cable communication, postal arrangements, the Pacific Islands, and Australasian defence. It was deemed advisable to publish only the decisions arrived at, together with the speeches of the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the First Lord of the Admiralty. When received these will be laid before you. Meantime, it is with pleasure I inform you that the Imperial authorities have denounced such treaties as stood in the way of the colonies regulating their own fiscal concerns and improving their commercial relations with the Mother-country. The treaties, however, cannot be annulled until a year after they are denounced. I have further to inform you that the Home authorities do not intend to make any alteration respecting the Australasian Squadron, and, unless Parliament otherwise orders, my Advisers intend that the existing agreement shall remain undisturbed.

The Secretary of State has forwarded to the various colonial Governors a despatch containing a report of the conference between the Colonial Office and the colonial Premiers, in which he states that the Imperial Government desires to record its strong sense of the loyal and patriotic spirit shown by all the representatives of the colonies in the course of their discussions, but hopes that their colonial colleagues are satisfied that their visit has been productive of great advantage to the Empire, and that the conferences which have been held have resulted in such a free interchange of views as will have a lasting and beneficial effect in securing a complete mutual understanding between the colonies and the Mother-country. The despatch will be laid before you in due course.

The success that has attended the sending of a Contingent of our Defence Forces to take part in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations will, I hope, have removed the misgivings of those who hesitated to incur the necessary expense. The self-sacrifice of those who formed the Contingent in undertaking, in the interests of the colony and Empire, so long a journey, and devoting so much of their time without fee or reward, cannot be too highly commended. They were received with the greatest enthusiasm by the people at Home, and their efficiency, physique, and excellent behaviour evoked much praise. Our kindred in the Mother-land were greatly pleased to welcome, in the ranks of the Contingent, members of the Maori race, whose presence as comrades in arms testified to the outside world that the two races are welded together by a common sentiment of loyalty which will for ever tend to promote the well-being and best interests of the colony.

The representative rifle team acquitted themselves most creditably at Bisley, and the colony has every reason to be proud of their excellent performance, especially in the competition for the Kolapore Cup, in which they took second place.

By the death of the chief of the Ngatiporou Tribe, the Honourable Major Ropata Wahawaha, a remarkable figure in the history of the colony has been removed. He rendered valuable services to both races, and at a trying time stood by the early settlers and saved the lives and property of many of them. Major Ropata will ever be gratefully remembered by the people of New Zealand.

The loss of life and damage to private property, roads, and railways by floods in portions of the Hawke’s Bay and Rangitikei districts have naturally evoked from all parts of the colony expressions of regret and sympathy. Practical assistance has been rendered, and to some extent the losses sustained have