A.—6.

1901. NEW ZEALAND.

VISIT OF THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK: ADDRESS OF WELCOME TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, AND REPLY THERETO.

Laid on the Table of both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

To His Royal Highness George Frederick Ernest Albert, Duke of Cornwall and York, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Knight of the Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, Rear-Admiral in the Fleet. On behalf of the people of New Zealand, we, His Majesty's Ministers in this colony, offer our hearty and respectful congratulations on the safe arrival of your Consort, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall and York, and yourself, and extend a cordial welcome to this the first colony founded during the reign of your illustrious grandmother, our late greatly beloved and Most Gracious Queen, the loss of whom our Empire mourns, and whose manifold virtues and excellences will ever live in the grateful memory of her people, whose lasting good she wrought. The visit of Your Royal Highnesses has caused general rejoicing, and we feel deeply indebted to His Gracious Majesty the King for consenting thereto, and to Your Royal Highnesses for laying aside natural inclinations and home endearments at so trying a time to come to this far-distant part of the Empire. The sacrifice you have made is gratefully appreciated, and will never be forgotten. We desire to assure Your Royal Highness of the continued attachment and devotion of the people of the Land of the Moa and Pounamu to His Gracious Majesty the King and His Royal House, and of their unflinching loyalty to the Throne and Constitution under which they have received the great and lasting benefits they now enjoy. His Majesty may rest assured that, should the emergency arise, New Zealand will be as ready in the future as she has proved herself in the past to offer her bravest and best in answer to the Empire's call. We have pleasure in informing Your Royal Highness that the inhabitants of this part of the great British Empire are prosperous and happy. Both races are living in amity together, and it is with pardonable pride that we can state that the whole Maori race now fully adapt themselves to present conditions and environments, and are taking an active and intelligent part in selfgovernment. They are loyal to the Throne, happy, and contented, and their numbers are increasing. We hope that during your brief stay with us the happiness of Your Boyal Highnesses may be unalloyed, and that when leaving us you may carry away agreeable recollections of the natural beauties of the colony—its mountains, forests, geysers, lakes, and streams —and of the steadfast loyalty of its people. Passing for a moment to matters of State, we venture to hope that it may be pleasing to Your Royal Highness to know that the prospect of the boundaries of the colony being extended so as to include the Cook and other islands gives satisfaction alike to the people living there and to the inhabitants of New Zealand. One and all join in wishing Your Royal Highnesses long life, health, and happiness, and a safe return to the dear Mother-land. We have the honour to subscribe ourselves Your Royal Highnesses' most humble and obedient servants, R. J. Seddon, Premier. W. C. Walker, Minister of Education. J. G. Ward, Colonial Secretary. Wm. Hall-Jones, Minister for Public Works. J. Carroll, Native Minister. T. Y. Duncan, Minister of Lands. James McGowan, Minister of Mines. C. H. Mills, Commissioner of Customs. New Zealand, 11th June, 1901.