5

A.—IA

" without further interruption of the public business. It is confidently expected " that practical effect can be given to that desire. " On the whole, the Governor believes that a fresh appeal to the country " would be premature, until all proper endeavours in the direction indicated in " the last paragraph shall have failed. Consequently he has decided that his " duty compels him to decline to accede to Mr. Stafford's recommendation of an " immediate dissolution." 3. It should be stated that, in addition to the above-mentioned considerations, there was another which weighed powerfully with me. The Maori Eepresentation Act of 1867 (31 Vict., No. 47) was tentative, and was passed, in the first instance, for only five years. It was on the eve of expiring, and a Bill continuing the admission of the Natives to the Legislature had been introduced. All parties were agreed as to the necessity of a measure of this kind, although there was much difference of opinion concerning its details. In the event of an immediate dissolution, it was possible that the new Eepresentation Bill might fall through, and that the Natives might thus be excluded, at least temporarily, from the future Parliament. The Maoris themselves were keenly alive to this contingency, and it was calculated to cause a dangerous agitation among them. 4. Upon the subsequent resignation of Mr. Stafford, and the voluntary retirement (for the present) from official life of Mr. Eox, a new Ministry was formed, with Mr. George Marsden Waterhouse as Premier. The other members are—Mr. Julius Vogel, C.M.G., Treasurer; Mr. Donald McLean, C.M.G., Minister for Native Affairs ; Mr. John Hall, Colonial Secretary; Mr. Edward Bichardson, Minister for Public Works ; Mr. John Bathgate, Minister of Justice; Mr. George Maurice O'Eorke, Minister for Crown Lands and Immigration; and Mr. William Hunter Eeynolds, Commissioner of Customs. 5. I need scarcely say that my inability to accede under the circumstances referred to above, and as an impartial arbitrator between contending parties, to the advice of Mr. Stafford and his colleagues, will not in the slightest degree impair the cordial relations, personal and official, which I have always maintained with them, as with the other public men of all sides in New Zealand. 6. Subsequent proceedings and events have abundantly proved that the general opinion of the Parliament, as also of the country at large, is in harmony with the course which (as I conceive) my duty compelled me to adopt respecting the proposed dissolution. The new Ministry at once commanded a strong working majority in the Legislature; the Maori Eepresentation Bill and several other important measures have become law; the Annual Appropriation Act has passed ; and the Session for 1872 was yesterday brought to a close without further interruption of the public business. 7. Copies of all the Acts of the recent Session will be forwarded so soon as the Attorney-General shall have prepared the customary report upon them. Meanwhile, further numbers of the New Zealand Hansard, containing full reports of the debates, are transmitted herewith. I annex also copies of the Speech delivered at the prorogation. It will be seen that the concluding paragraph is as follows:— " In bidding you farewell, I desire to congratulate you on the general and " growing prosperity of the Colony. The official statistics recently published by " the Imperial Government show that New Zealand, although only thirty-two " years have elapsed since the beginning of colonization here, is already fourth in '•' rank and importance on the long list of British Colonies. In its public revenue, " in its trade (including imports and exports), and in the other elements of material " progress, it is now surpassed only by the Dominion of Canada, by Victoria, " and by New South Wales. It may be confidently expected that, through the " blessing of Providence on the energy and industry of its population in developing " the vast and varied natural resources of this country, New Zealand will soon " rise to a still higher place among the Provinces of the Empire." I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. E. BOWEN.