OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1416, 14 May 1886, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY,

Thuusdav, Max 13

WELLINGTON, May Kj

The third session of the ninth Parliament of Now Zealand was opened this afternoon by His Excellency the Governor. The Speaker took the chair at 5 minutes to 2.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

WELLINGTON, May 13,

Parliament was opened by the Governor at 2 p.m. Ills Excellency was accompanied by Major Jervois, Captain Medley, the Danish ami Portuguese Consuls, and eight officers of the Japanese warship Tspkuba. There wore ten members of the Legislative Council and twenty-live members of the Uouso, of RQjjregsu|aUYoß jpteaaut. ,

In opening the third session of the ninth Parliament of Now Zealand His Excellency was pleased to make the following speech :

[ION GENTLEMEN OF THE LICU IBLATIVK COUNCIL. and Gentlemen of tub House of Pei-i>.e-KKNTATIVES, It nJlords mu much pleasure to meet you

thus early in Par”a.ncnt assembled. The year which is now passing will be memorable throughout the British dominions ns the one in which Your Gracious Sovereign enters on the doth year of her reign. You will, I feel assured, desire to prove that the subjects of this, the most distant part of Her .Majesty’s possessions, share equally with Her Majesty’s subjects in other parts of tho world, the highest appreciation of tho great results of her long and beneficent reign. You will be asked to consider the most suitable way of showing, on behalf of the people of Now Zealand, their affection and duty to tho person of the Sovereign, their love and loyalty to the Crown, their sense of giatification at belonging to a realm enjoying a sway so benignant, and their desire to see Tie bonds which unite every portion of Her Majesty’s vast empire continued and strengthened. It is most particularly appropriate to such a year that I am able to announce to you that, in the opinion c£ my Ministers, there has never been a time

when the relations between Her Majesty’s European and Maori subjects have been of "so friendly a character. The Maoris are

evincing an intelligent interest in colonising operations and a cordial recognition of the laws of the colony. They show this excellent disposition by readiness with which they are socking Crown titles for large areas of country through which the Northern Trunk Kailway

will pass, and their willingness to part with land to tho Government for tho purposes of settlement along that lino of railway. Negotiations for such lands are, in the opinion of my Advisers, proceeding satisfactorily ; and, with due regard to the necessity of a sufficient quantity being retained by Maoris for their own use, you will be asked to amend the laws relating to tho disposal of Native lands in the direction which appears to my Ministers best adapted to do justice to the Maori, and to hasten the occupation and settlement of the country. Public works have boon proceeded with as rapidly as the moans fplaced at tho disposal of Government permitted. Proposals will be laid before you for continuing railways and other public works, on a scale 1 consistent with the circumstances of the colony, and in the manner most calculated to secure sound economical rcauHs. New Zealand is suffering from a depression that appears to prevail throughout the whole world, but which is affecting this colony much less than other countries, because of its groat resources. My Advisers are of opinion that this depression, rather than tending to discourage tho energies of the people, should lead them to additional exertions, and if, concurrently with the progress of railways, an attendant opportunity be offered to settlers to occupy and cultivate land in farms of small size, farmers from other countries will be attracted to this colony, and materially aid its progress. In calling your attention to the gracious compliment which Her Majesty paid to all the Colonies and India by opening the Exhibition devoted to their products, and the gratitude the Colonics and India owe to Ilia Koyal [Highness the Prince of Wales for the untiring exertions which have led to tho success of the Exhibitional am glad to be able to say that my Ministers have used their utmost endeavours to secure] for this Colony an adequate representation. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF Eei-re-sent vnvK’’ —The Estimates of revenue and expenditure for the current year will be laid before you. My Advisers fully recognise the importance of keeping down tho expenditure to the lowest limit consistent with meeting the requirements of the public service and the wants of the country. The finances of tho colony are * n a . sound condition, and gratifying progress is being made with the conversion of the loans. The San Francisco mail service has been re-established at a cost within the authority which you gave by resolution It is gratifying that the contract should have been taken by a New Zealand company on behalf of itself and a powerful American steamship organisation; it is equally gratifying that New South Wales joins in the arrangements, and that assistance is received from the Governraent.of the United'States. . ~ Hon gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and gentlemen of the House of Representatives—Whilst giving attention to the undertakings which it is desirable the colony should carry out it is not to be forgotten that the works constructed by local bodies are of essential importance towards promoting and extending tho settlement of the laud. A measure will be placed before you dealing with tho finance of local [.bodies,, [and enlarging their power of directly managing their own affairs. My Ministers view with satisfaction tho disposition which is being shown to dcvelope tho local resources of the colony, including those of the mines, the forest, and tho fisheries. It is of intinite importance to recognise and take advantage of the material wealth of New Zealand, and to encourage tho prosecution of industries of a varied character. My Advisers place great faith in tho operation of a policy which embraces the points of prosecuting local industries, and thus affording abundant occupation to the population promotm- settlement by liberal land laws, constructing railways with a view to opening ihe country, aiding the progress of settlement and speedily securing satisfactory and economical results, placing local bodies in a position to open up roads and do other useful work, giving the mining population liberal facility, and the establishment of friendly relations with tho Maoris. The arrangement tor the construction of the Midland Kailway, under authority conceded by iarhament is. in tho opinion of my Advisers, a matter of hearty rejoicing Some points of a not material nature will have to bo .submitted for the ratification of Parliament The attention of my Ministers has been constantly directed to questions relating to the South Sea Islands. Whilst recognising the important interest New Zealand lias in there matters, they have carefully avoided, exceeding the authority with which Parliament had endowed them. Papers on the subject will be presented. Bills will bo presented to you to consolidate tho Laws relating to Crimes, to Municipalities, to Volunteers, and to Mines, to establish o Parcel Post system, and to amend the Charitable Aid and Hospital Act. I commend to your attention the business that will come before you, and earnestly hope that your labors will, under the blessing of God, be attended with good to the colony.

NOTICES OF MOTION. On the Council resuming, Mr Buckley moved the appointment of O donel Brett, Captain Baillie, and Messrs Shrimski and Barnicoat, and the mover, as a Committee to draw up an Address in lleply to the speech. Agreed to. Mr Buckley gave notice that on the following day ho would move—That Captain Baillie be appointed Chairman of Committees for the session.

Mr Buckley gave notice of his intention to move, on the following day, for the appointment of the usual sessional Committees.

Mr Scotland gave notice of his intention to move, on the following day—That the supply of hot meals within Parliamentary buildings is unnecessary, and that therefore the kitchen lamy’a be abolished. The Council adjourned to next day.

HOUSE OF BEPBESENTATIVES

Thursday, May 13,

The House mot at 1.55 p.m, •MESSAOE,

A message was received from the Legislative Council, requiring the presence of members of the House to hear the Governor’s Speech. NOTICES OF MOTION. On the House resuming, Mr Bi-van gave notice to move nest sitting day—That a respectful address be presented to the Govoruor in reply to the speech made to both Houses. Notices of motion were given for rtio appointment of the usual Sessional Committees.

Mr Stout moved that the House adjourn ill Tuesday nest at 2.30 p.m, Agreed to. Tbs House rose at 240 p.m,