THE QUEEN AND THE COLONIES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2335, 28 June 1887, Page 3

THE QUEEN AND THE COLONIES.

Tiie Colonial delegates were received by the Queen at Windsor Castle on the 4th May, when the following address was read and presented to the Queen by Sir Robert Thorburn, K.C.M.G., Premier of Newfoundland, on behalf of the Colonial Conference, all the representatives being present :— " May it please your Mdjesty,

"Your Majesty's subjects from provinces of your Empire assembled in "London upon the summons of your Secretary of State for the c Colouies, to confer on questions affecting your Imperial possessions throughout the world, desire : to avail themselves of the opportunity, which their meeting affords, to approach Your Majesty with their humble, united, and earnest congratulations on the approaching completion of the 50th year,of your reign. " Your Majesty has witnessed the number of your colonial subjects of European descent increase from under two millions to nine millions, and of Asiatic race .in your Indian Empire from 96 millions to 254 millions, and of other peoples in your colonies and dependencies from two millions to seven millions. "The area now governed by your Majesty in India is 1,380,000 square miles; and in your colonies 7,000,000 square ; miles. The increase of trade, of shipping, , and of revenue has been has been in proportion to that of population ; and no one in your wide dominions is.subject to any other sway than that of even and impartial law. "Your Majesty's reign has under jDivihe providence, endured for half a century ; aud amidst revolutions and changes iof dynasty, and of systems of Government in other countries, the principlesrof the laws of your predecessors'for a thousand years still afford your subjects that, safety and prosperity, and the Empire jthat stability, which claim the admiration of the world. " We beg to assure your Majesty of the continued loyalty and devotion of your colonial subjects ; and. we humbly pray that your happy reign may still be prolonged, and that your Majesty's throne may remain established in the land, in justice and righteousness 1 for generations to come. " We^,remain, with the profoundest veneration, your Majesty's most faithful subjects and dutiful servants." To which Her Majesty made the following gracious reply : — " I accept with much satisfaction the loyal and dutiful address which you have presented to me on. behalf of my colonial subjects, and it has : given me great pleasure to receive in person here to-day the representatives.of so many portions of my dominions. "I have observed with the liveliest interest the steady advance of my colonies in wealth, population, and good Government. This has been a constant and inCreasing source of gratification to' me. during the 50 years on the completion of which you now offerfcongratulations; and: iiothinjg can giveme.greater pride and pleasure than to know that the loyalty and affection of my subjects in,, distant lands have developed along with their prosperity and success."