VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 986, 4 July 1883, Page 3

VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT.

[ri’.UTßß’s telegrams. J Melbourne, Yesterday. The Victorian Parliament was opened to-day by the Marquis of Normanby. In the course of his speech his Excellency stated that the movement to Tring about the annexation of New Guinea by the Imperial Government had been warmly supported by his advisers, and subsequently the importance of securing the islands lying between New Guinea and Fiji's had induced them to communicate with other colonies with a view to making a collective representation to the Home Government in favor of annexation or the establishment of a protectorate, and the various colpniea had given their heartycooperation to furthe" the project. An Intercolonial Conference had been held in Sydney, at which an agreement was come to regarding the admission of the colonies to the Postal Union, under conditions which would at once secure an adequate representation of the colonies and strengthen the hands of the mother country. The question of federation has been commanding the earnest attention of all who were interested in the welfare and development of the colonies, and it was the intention of his advisers to open negotiations with other colonies in order to ascertain to what extent federation was practicable. At the present time the necessity of securing an efficient state of defence was fully recognised. The reorganisation of the forces was proceeding, and the necessary defensive works would be prosecuted without delay. Reference was made to the necessity for abolishing patronage in public services, and measures would be brought down at an early date for dealing with the management of railways and the proper selection, appointment, and promotion of public employees. Measures would also bo submitted to Parliament to provide for the establishment of irrigation trusts applicable to agricultural land. Further legislation would be necessary in regard to the local military forces, with a view to the establishment of a militia under efficient instructors and officers. A Bill for providing for an increase in the number of Ministers of the Crown was also promised, and in conclusion his Excellency offered his congratulations upon the flourishing condition of the colony at the present time.