THE ENGLISH PREMIER’S VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1121, 3 January 1884, Page 1

THE ENGLISH PREMIER’S VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND.

Some months back the Speaker of the Legislative Council and the Speakei of the House of Representatives of this colony, as well as a number of members of both Houses of the A-semblyj signed an invitation to the Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., to visit New Zealand, if his dutiea would, as Premier of the Imperial Government, admit of it. Lord Derby, Secretary of State, has forwarded a despatch to Sir William Jervois, enclosing a letter from Mr Gladstone to the Speakers of the Legislative Houses of New Zealand, a copy of which has been forwarded to Sir George M. O’Burke. It is as follows : “ 10 Dowqing street, Whitehall, October 26th. 1883.

“Gentlemen,—! have the honor to acknowledge, with sentiments of respect and gratitude, the invitation* to -visit New Zealand, which you have a (dressed to mo on the part of the Legislative Houses of that advanced and important colony, as well as on your own part. It is unhappily impossible for me to comply with the invitation on account of the constant pressure of my official duties, which will not admit of my removal even to points much nearer this island and this metropolis. It is net without much regret that I make this reply to your courteous proposal, and 1 am very sensible of the practical benefits produced by the interchange of visits between tbe inhabitants cl the different portions of the empire. I have many reasons for wishing to see that interchange frequent and extended. Besides the fact that nearly forty-nine years ago I was first placed in official relations with the colonies, and that the early impressions thus produced do not easily depart, but all general considerations winch I feel to be applicable tell in the case of New Zealand with peculiar force, besides the fact that one of my near relations has a distinct interest in its prosperity, and has repeatedly visited its shores, and that one of my dearest friends was its first and illustrous bishop, and .took a warm interest in the proceedings connected with its earliest history ; and I consider that in that history were worked out many of the soundest principles which now regulate the colonial connection, and which promise to make it alike honorable, beneficial, and enduring—“ I am, etc., (Signed) “ W. E. Gladstone. “To the Speakers of the Legislative

Houses of New Zealand.”