ADDRESS TO THE QUEEN.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2246, 19 July 1870, Page 2

ADDRESS TO THE QUEEN.

The report of the Select Committee of the Legislative Council appointed to prepare an address to her Majesty Queen Victoria, lias been brought up. It Commences by submitting for her Majesty’s consideration the short facts of tire colonisation of New Zealand, the position the islands were in when, in 1840, they were taken possession of on her Majesty’s behalf; the causes which led to the complications with the Native race, the disastrous effects which those complications have produced, the means which have been employad to put down rebellion, and the sacrifices which the Colonists have been compelled to make in the struggle. The largo share which Imperial mismanagement of our affairs has had in producing such untoward results as are now to be seen, are clearly and fairly pointed out, and regrets are expressed that while no efforts have been spared on the part of New Zealand to co-operate with and assist the Imperial troops, a feeling of estrangement and antagonism towards the Colony has been displayed by the Imperial authorities. The report then goes on: — “ Inasmuch as your Majesty’s Government, having involved the Colony iu war and ruinous debt, have not only withdrawn from the contest, and abandoned it with crippled resources to suppress the rebellion, but have, hy ras-h and premature publication of unfriendly despatches, even before the Colony could receive and guard against their effect upon the Native mind, increased our difficulties and encouraged the disaffected: “ And also, inasmuch as they have, in the face of the strongest advice from your Majesty’s Representative, the Governor of this Colony, supported by the opinions of the General commanding the troops, the Commodore commanding the naval forces, the Chief Justice (Sir George Arney), Mr Justice Johnston, and both Houses of the Colonial Legislature, refused to leave a single regiment in Now Zealand, even though the regiment was .agreed to be paid for by the Colony, which desired, by the presence of an Imperial force at such a critical period, to prevent the repetition of murders and atrocities similar to those which were perpetrated at Mohaka, Poverty Bay, and the White Cliffs :

“And further, we represent with regret that the policy which has been pursued by your Majesty’s Government, has raised a belief that there is a desire to drive the Colony into separation from the mother country, which belief has already aroused great bitterness of feeling, and is likely to result, if the policy be continued, in lasting enmity:

“We, therefore, humbly approach your gracious Majesty, praying that your loyal and dutiful subjects in New Zealand may receive such countenance and support as is due to those who are engaged in maintaining your Majesty’s sovereignty, and in preserving law and order ; that no further encouragement be given to those who refuse allegiance to your Majesty ; that it may. please your Majesty to command your ministers to preserve the integrity of the empire, until it shall appear to your Majesty, to the British Parliament, and to the Colonists themselves, that it is no longer desirable that New Zealand should continue to be a dependency of the Crown. “ We further pray that your Majesty may be pleased to appoint a commission to visit this Colony and inquire into the grievances of your loyal subjects, who are desirous of courting the fullest investigation. This prayer, if granted, would, we believe, be accepted with feelings of gratification by the Colonists of Now Zealand, and tend to heal existing differences and preserve the integrity of the Empire.”