OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 501, 18 August 1871, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH,

ELECTION OF MR. DILLON BELL AS

SPEAKER,

SPEAKER PROPOSED BY SIR DAVID

MONRO,

TE KOOTI ASKING TO BE UNMO

LESIED

ARRIVAL OF MORE CHINESE AT

OTAGO.

The s.s. Phoebe arrived in harbour this morning, from Southern Porte, bringing latp r Southern and Australian news. "We take the following from papers to hand :— WELLINGTON. OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. Parliament was opened on Monday, at 2 o'clock, by a Commission, consisting of the Hons. J. L. 0. Richardson, H. Sewell, W. Richmond, and A. Domett, specially appointed by His Excellency. The Commissioners having taken their seats in the Legislative Council Chamber, the members of the Council being present, a messuge was sent to the Lower House, requesting the attendance of the .Representatives. On their arrival, the Clerk read the warrant appointing tt.e Commission ; after which the lion, the Speaker of the Legislative Covncil announced that there being no Speaker, His Excellency could not meet the House of Ki-pro entatives, but hud appointed the Commission to open Parliament, and to request the House of JKepresentatives to uhoosi; a Speaker, and present him to His Excellency to-morrow, at hall-pust one. This being done, His lixcelleucy would inert the Parliament to-morrow at 2 o'clock, and inform it as to his reasons for ending Parliament together.

The Kejircsentatives then retired to their own hall, and after they were Heated, Mr. Justice Johnston, in his robes of office, entered and proceeded to swear the members.

Sir D. Munko then rose and profceded to propose the lion. JD. 801 lus Speaker, He guarded himself from being supposed by his doing bo to be an ardent supporter of the present Ministry. Indeed, it was known that in a fitting place lie had expressed his opinions adverse to thojo held by Iho Ministry. He then dwelt at length on the niuny qualifications of the Hon. l). Hell for the Speakerghip, and aaid that he was sure, if elected, tlmt he would fill the chair well, and the honor and dignity of the House would be in safe keeping.

Mr. Beandon briefly seconded tho nomination of Mr. Bell to the Spcakership. 'The Hon. D. Bell, in a few feeling words, expressed his sense of t lie honor done him, and his intention to fulfil the duties with care and impartiality. In liia long career us a public man, during which party politics had soujetimes run high, he might have given some members cause of offence. If such was the case he trusted that his apologies would be accepted, for he should like tj take his scat without any feelings of anger for any one present.

The Hon. W. Fox oongralulatod the Speaker on his election to tho hight-dt post which v Commoner could hold in tho coluiiv, »nd alluded to Mr. Bell's long public cureer, com inencing in London, where he worked in the cause of colonisation up to Ihe present time. He then moved that "the House <lo now adjourn till to-morrow, at 2 o'clock. — Evening Post.

On the following day His Excellency delivered the following address : — Hon. Cootcillobs ; Gentlkmex of the House oi' Kefhkskm'/ytivjs— It ia with much satisfaction Ihit I have summoned the Parliament of tilt; Colony, uud now invite your assistance and advice.

I am glad to learn Mint the Ballot, which was for the first time in th ■ colony used at the late general election of members of the Houso of .Representatives, has been found to work well.

Bince I last addressed you I have again visited the provinces of the Middle Island, and its West Coust. I was greatly pleased to gee its material resources developed, and social institutions established to so great an extent. I have also observed with satisfaction the growing prosperity of tho North Islund, and particularly the extraordinary yield of gold in the Province of Auckland, .live 17where in both islands my visits elicited expressions of loyalty to tho Queen, and goodwill towards lnyself, and I shall always remember with gratitude the courteous and hospitable manner in which I have been received in all parts of New Zealand.

I congratulate you on the progress which has been made during the year in establish-'' ing, under improved arrangements, the postal route with Great Britain via San Francisco, and I hope that the line will attract the cooperation of the Australian colonies, and the support of the United Htates.

Our relations wiih the natives continue to improve. A bill will be laid before you to consolidate and. amend the laws relating to the Native Lund Courts.' :'; ■ _

You will concur with me in regretting the death of the celebrated chief 'J'amati Wuka Nene, who was alike distinguished for his loyalty to tho Queen and friendship to the pakeha, and who, whether in peace or war, was ever ready to aid in establishing the Queen's sovereignty, and promoting colonisation.

The Land Transfer Act of last session has been brought into operation, and 1 am glud to state that, although so short a time has elapsed, t)"e progress of the system and its appreciation by owners of property have been very marked.

The successful negotiation of a large part of the loan authorised List year, and the continuance of internal tranquility, have enabled my Government to initiate and carry on the colonising policy of the late Parliament. Their endeavour has been to give eifect to that policy in the spit-it in which it wus framed, and to apply the resources placed at their disposal for the purpose with frugality, fairness, and a steadfast view to lasting results.

It is with great satisfaction I have observed a general wish on fcko part of llio native tribes in the interior of the JN orth Island to promote tbe ibrinution of great lines of roads through tbi-ir laudd, und the practical proof they give of their sincerity in that respect, by themselves joining in the work. A commencement lmi been made in the public works uutborised in the Middle Island-, and immigration will, in purauunce of instruct tions recently given, Jbe secured to those provinces which have availed themselves of the provisions of the Immigration Act. You will,, I feel sure, concur with me that the introduction and lettlement of suitable immigrant! aro

as necessary as tho construction of large public works, and that both are essential to a proper development of the resources and tho lasting welfare of the colony. Gentlemen of the House or Reprrsentatites, —The estimates for the ensuing year will be laid beforo you. They have been framed with strict regard to economy. I congratulate you on the very favorablo terms on which a large part of the loan authorised by the Acts of last session has been raised in London. The arrangements also which have been effected with tho Lords of Her Majesty's Treasury in reference to the guaranteed million loan aye of a character to enhance the credit of the colony, and to facilitate its financial operations. I regret to inform you that there has been a considerable falling off in the colonial revenue during the year, as there has also been in some of the Australian colonies. This, no doubt, is in consequence of tho depressed value of tho staple articles of production, and the stagnation in the manufacturing industries, attributable to tho great European War. The present revival in the value of those products, the restoration of peace in Europo, the rapid growth of local industries, and the progress of immigration and public works justify the belief that the depression is exceptional, and I hope that it will prove transitory. It rests with you to adopt measures for equalising the revenue and expenditure. Honorable Councillors .and Gentlemen' op the House of Repkesentatiyes — It is of the greatest importance that elementary instruction should be more widely diffused, and that popular education Bhould be raised to a higher standard. A Bill will be laid before you to provide for both these ends.

The reduction in telegraph charges has resulted in a great increase of business during the year.

A number of convicts lately arrived at Canterbury, from the penal settlements of Western Australia, and steps were taken by the Government for their immediate removal.

Among other measures, you will be askec to give your consideration to Bills for improving the laws relating to insolvency, for .unending the law relating to goldfields, for governing (?) powers of committees on disputed elections, for the regulation of the (•ousting trade, for tho encouragement of fisheries, for conferring powers on Highway Boards, for providing for the appointment of a public Trustee, for procuring land for the ai.ttlfmi'iit of immigrants, and for tho better regulation of charitable trusts.

I trust your deliberations may, under the guidance of Divine Providence, contribute to thu uuiiy, peace, and pro3perily of the colony.