A.—2b

1877. NEW ZEALAND.

FURTHER DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 3rd May, 1877. I transmit to you the Queen's Proclamation for the maintenance of neutrality, which, with the advice of Her Privy Council, Her Majesty has issued, in consequence of the existing state of war between Russia and Turkey. I desire that you will immediately give publicity to the said Proclamation. I have, &c, CARNARVON. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 1. BY THE QUEEN—A PROCLAMATION. Victoria R. Whereas we are happily at peace with all Sovereigns, Powers, and States! And whereas, notwithstanding our utmost exertions to preserve peace between all Sovereign Powers and States, a state of war unhappily exists between His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias and His Majesty the Emperor of the Ottomans, and between their respective subjects and others inhabiting within their countries, territories, or dominions: And whereas we are on terms of friendship and amicable intercourse with each of these Sovereigns, and with their several subjects and others inhabiting within their countries, territories, or dominions: And whereas great numbers of our loyal subjects reside and carry on commerce, and possess property and establishments, and enjoy various rights and privileges, within the dominions of each of the aforesaid Sovereigns, protected by the faith of treaties between us and each of the aforesaid Sovereigns : And whereas we, being desirous of preserving to our subjects the blessings of peace which they now happily enjoy, are firmly purposed and determined to maintain a strict and impartial neutrality in the said state of war unhappily existing between the aforesaid Sovereigns: We, therefore, have thought fit, by and with the advice of our Privy Council, to issue this our Royal Proclamation: 1-A. 2b.