1530 THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. No. 59

With a view of ascertaining the desires of the Natives whose ancestors gave certain lands, situated at Porirua and in other parts of the North Island, to trustees for specific purposes, I have, on the advice of my Ministers, appointed a Royal Commission, which is prosecuting an inquiry. The report will be placed before you.

As authorised by Parliament, steps have been taken for holding an international exhibition at Christchurch. It is proposed to have the exhibition opened in the month of November, 1906.

Some time ago a New-Zealander, under contract for employment in the United States, was not allowed to land in San Francisco. On the voyage back to this colony he suffered at Honolulu an indignity at the hands of the captain of the steamer. Representations were made through the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the United States Government, and a satisfactory conclusion resulted and reparation has been made.

You will be gratified to learn that the population of the colony is steadily increasing, the excess of arrivals over departures being considerable, especially during the last twelve months. There is also an increased birth-rate. Since the year 1890 the population has increased by 230,000, and the total population of the colony, including Maoris, is now estimated to be 900,682.

The arrival of Chinese in large numbers, and the fact that some fifty were recently a charge on the Otago Charitable Aid Board, are matters for your serious consideration.

The returns which will be laid before you indicate that there has been during the year a very large increase in the traffic on our railways, showing a considerable growth in our staple products and an extension of the industries of our colony, whilst the greater number of passengers demonstrates increased spending-power. The Customs returns show a steady advance on the preceding year, and the result of the preferential tariff has been a slight improvement in the importation of goods from the United Kingdom; on the other hand, the increase in the importation from foreign countries has stopped, and there is now a slight decrease as compared with previous years.

The question of the export trade in perishable goods from this country is of great importance. My Advisers consider the sheep-owners and dairy-farmers of the colony should be placed in a position that will enable them to obtain an adequate return for their enterprise and industry.

Further, that the freight on goods from the United Kingdom should be as much as £2 10s. a ton, when the freight on the same class of goods from the United States is only 12s. per ton, is a matter of grave concern.

A pleasing feature I have to announce is that, notwithstanding the increased amount received through the Customs, the general taxation per head of the population has decreased as compared with the last two years.

You are aware that the Post and Telegraph and Railway branches of our public service have been classified to the advantage of the State and those employed. My Ministers, in the interest of economy and uniformity, are of the opinion that the whole of the Civil Service should be classified, and the superannuation allowance now granted in the case of the Police and Railway services made universal throughout the service.

In view of altered conditions and the uncertainty of the attendance basis upon which salaries are made payable, an amendment in the Education Act will be submitted for your consideration with the view of increasing teachers’ salaries. The endeavour to provide a superannuation scheme for school-teachers is beset with difficulty, especially in respect to teachers of advanced years. A scheme, however, will be submitted, and my Ministers hope the same may soon be passed into law.

For the purpose of promoting the industries of the colony and placing them on a satisfactory basis and providing for economical working and lighting, my Advisers consider that the natural motive power of our rivers, lakes, and waterfalls should be utilised. Especially is this necessary if we are to compete on anything like equal terms with other countries where wages are lower,