PRINCE ALFRED.

Southland Times, Issue 899, 14 February 1868, Page 2

PRINCE ALFRED.

(TO THE EDITOB OF THE SOOTHSAirD TIK1B). Sib, — I am a loyal but business minded man. There is do colonist in New Zealand that would more heartily welcome the Queen's son than myself, still when it was first proposed to invite him to visit this province I had my misgivings as to the policy of such being done. The small sum that was appropriated by the New Zealand Government — viz : — £5,000 — convinced me that no portion of it would be set .apart for Southland. Therefore, though anxious that he should visit this district, the flower of New Zealand, I could not give the movement my unqualified support. By late information you have supplied, I find that the General Government have increased the amount to that of £15,000. T have now no hesitation in joining with those who first proposed that an invitation from the people of Southland to His Royal Highness should be at once sent to meet him at Auckland. I think we should be neglecting our own interests if under the circumstances we failed to do this. If £15,000 is to be taken from the public revenue for the Duke's reception, this province is entitled to a share of the expenditure. If a fair division was made nearly £1,000 would fall to the lot of Southland. Taking a business view of the matter, it appears to me that it would be folly to let such a • sum to which we are entitled to have expended in our midst, given to Canterbury, Otago, or other provinces, to enable them to make a gushing demonstration at our expense. It also strikes me that if the Duke of Edinburgh did visit this place, taking the overland route from Otago as suggested by your correspondent, it would be »- capital means of aiding the immigration scheme that has just been revived. lam no advocate for a waste of public funds in fulsome adoration of Prince or Governor, but lama most determined supporter of the British throne, and believe in giving a public expression of my loyalty, provided it does not seriously affect the state of my banking account. I believe the Duke's visit would not necessitate individual extravagence, but prove beneficial to the future of the province. We should get our fair share of the Government expenditure, ensure permanent notice in the home papers when His Eoyal Highness returned to England, and other advantages too numerous to enumerate. I certainly think that the committee that was sometime since formed should at once buckle to the work of bringing the Prince to Invercargill, or the Provincial Govern? ment should appoint a commission to undertake it. I am, Sir, yours &c, Colonist. Invercargill, 10th Feb.. 1868. [The £15,000 said to be devoted to the reception ol the Prince is simply a rumor.— Ed. B.T."} ...