JOINT COMMITTEE ON SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF HER MAJESTY'S REIGN (REPORT OF).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1897 Session I, I-01

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1897.—Sess. I. NEW ZEALAND.

JOINT COMMITTEE ON SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF HER MAJESTY'S REIGN (REPORT OF).

Brought up 9th April, 1897, and ordered to be printed.

DEAFT OP ADDEESS TO HEE MAJESTY. To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty. Most Gbacious Sovereign,— We, the members of the Legislative Council and House of Bepresentatives of the Colony of New Zealand in Parliament assembled, desire to render to the Almighty an expression of our gratitude for so prolonging your Majesty's life that your Majesty's reign has exceeded that of any of your predecessors on the Throne. We beg your Majesty to accept our heartfelt congratulations on your having occupied that Throne for sixty years; and we rejoice that upon this anniversary of your Majesty's accession your Majesty's subjects in all portions of your dominions are afforded an opportunity of expressing their feelings of loyalty and affection. The Colony of New Zealand, which was founded shortly after your Majesty's accession, is the first-born of the colonies of your Majesty's reign; and we desire to assure your Majesty that the inhabitants of New Zealand yield to none of your Majesty's subjects in loyalty and devotion to the Crown. The colony, though established with the concurrence of the Maori race, as expressed in the Treaty of Waitangi, had many difficulties to encounter in its early days; and, though there have been troubles in the past between the two races, we are happy to be able to inform your Majesty that both races are now living peacefully together, and the loyalty of the Maori race is attested by the Maori members in both Houses of Parliament cordially joining in this congratulatory address. We have learnt with satisfaction that it is your Majesty's desire that New Zealand should be represented at the celebration in London of the accomplishment of the sixtieth year of your Majesty's reign, and we do most heartily concur in your Majesty's wish, and approve of the Premier of New Zealand, the Honourable E. J. Seddon, proceeding at once to London to represent this colony at the celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of your Majesty's accession to the Throne. Your Majesty's reign has been marked by the regard your Majesty has ever shown for constitutional government, by the enlargement of the right of the people to representation in the Parliament and government of the Empire, by mitigation of the severity of the laws, and by legislation in favour of the toilers of the land. Tour Majesty's long reign and your Majesty's example as Sovereign, wife, and mother have universally inspired your Majesty's subjects with reverence for your Majesty's Throne and affection for your Majesty's person; and it is our fervent prayer that your Majesty may long be spared to reign over your great Empire. H. J. MILLEE, Chairman of the Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament appointed to draw up an address to Her Majesty. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (1,300 copies), 16s.

By Authority : John Maokay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB97. Price 3d.