THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1840, 14 May 1888, Page 4

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

The speech, with which the Governor opened the second session of the t2nth Parliament of New Zealand is, perhaps, as to grammatical construction a trifle above the average of such productiors, and contains no very glaring outrages upon Lindley Murray, although it is by no means entirely faultless as a literary prod action. So far then, as regards the phraseology m which Ministers have announced their intentions, there is nothing to complain of, and even if there had ten, this wonld be quite a secondary mat'.er, what concerns us most being the proposals showed forth. His Excellency commences by congratulating Parliament upon the existence ot eigns of improvement m connection with the industries and trade of the colony, and of a coming revival m mining matters} and goes on to say that his advisers have sought to make every reduction m the public expenditure compatible with maintaining the efficiency of the public service, but rather goes ont of his way to thank the Civil Service for having given to Ministers the necessary assistance it was obviously their duty to have given. Congratulations are also indulged m over the progress now being made m the building of war vessels for the Australasian naval forces and thanks are tendered to Major-General l-schaw for his valuable assistance and advice m. connection with the fortificatioaa and the defence force of the colony. Of the Land Act of last session, we are told that the anticipations formed as to its beneficial effects have been so far verified, and as regards Education it is stated that the economies rendered necessary by the reduced vote of last se. ""ion have been caii'ieu out without Impairing the ( IBciem,/ of the b /stern. Upon ail these n^atterb there is probably difference of opiuion, and no doubt there will be something said per cont) x during the debate on the Address-in-Eeply. The improved relations with the Maori race and the supposed abandonment by Tawhiao and his followers of all desire to establish a separate authority is alluded to, and it is announced that m consequence fresh proposals are to be made m relation to the administration of Native lands, though no hint is given as to the scope of the proposed bill or bills further than a statement that the whole subject is to be treated "upon a bas's m accord with tie advancing knowledge of the Native race," a phrase so studiously indefinite as to allow of the Government measures being framed on any lines whatever. The Chinese question is touched upon, and We are glad to see that the Government proposals are likely to be such as will meet with general approval, it being admitted that the difficulty is one which should be adjusted by agreement between the Imperial Government and the Government of China, and at the same time it is very properly recognised that pending this being done New Zealand should join the other Australian Colonies m enacting such restrictive measures as may bo found necessary. References are mnde to the measures m contemplation for the extinction of the rabbit pest having been unavoidably delayed, and to the delay which has occupied m the establishment of the Railway Board, also to the fact that the new contract for the Midland railway still awaits final confirmation by the company. Upon all these subjects no information is given with which the public were not already fully acquainted. The announcement is made that pro posals for the readjustment of the tariff will be submitted, the objects m view being the removal of certain existing anomalies, and at the same time the raising of additional revenue. No very certain sound is given as to. the principle which is to be kept ia view, neither Freetrade or Protection being declared for, the oracular phraseology put into the mouth of his. Excellency being that "-due regard will be paid to the effect which the alterations will have upon the trade and manufactures of the colony," which sentence will no doubt be interpreted by those who read it m accordance with ] their respective predilections. It mar, mean anything at all, from the mo.st thorough freetrade to ultta Protect} on. -he 9 legrslat'on proposed embraces a Fair Kent Bill, an Electoral Acts Amendment Bill, a Naval and Military Forces Bill, a Bill to repeal the Crown and Native Lands Rating Act, a Bill to amend the Municipal Corporations Act lie Rating Act, and the Land Transfer Act. No reference whatever is made to th a proposed amendment of the Standing Orders, and more remark;.?. r o ; still no men' ion whatever of the hitch- which has arisen m connection Tsitk the Loan Act of last session, no? is there any hint of an amending Bill, although such a Bill will certainly have to be introduced. Theve is really very little indeed m the speech, and it is to be hoped that very little time will be spent iq discussing it.