OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 3245, 15 July 1873, Page 3

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

[By Telegraph.] His Excellency the Governor opened Parliament at Wellington to-day, at two o’clock. The Volunteers formed a guard of honor. In his opening speech, the Governor said Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,—

It gives me great pleasure to meet you at so early a moment after my assuming charge of the government of New Zealand, to which Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to appoint me. lam gratified to learn that the condition of the Colony is extremely prosperous, and that the Colonists at large are manifesting faith in its resources, and are developing them with energy and enterprise. The public works already authorised have been proceeded with as rapidly as circumstances have permitted ; but, in order to render effectual the policy of public works which has been adopted by Patiiament, you must bear in mind that the principle upon which those works were undertaken involved not only a system of arterial communication throughout the country, but the consequent settlement by numerous occupier* of lands so opened up. Papers will be laid before you indicative of the anxiety of the General Government to promote and assist immigration. 'I he increasing success of the Life Assurance and Annuities Department is highly satisfactory, and whilst the system of State insurance affords great advantages to the colonists, it does nob close the door to private associated enterprise in the same useful direction. At the Intercolonial Conference, held during the recess, many important results were arrived at, to some of which your attention will be directed. In consideration of tho unanimous desire of the Conference, Her Majesty’s Government have obtained tho assent of the Imperial Parliament to a measure by which the Australian Colonies will have a right to enter into reciprocal traffic arrangements. I do not doubt that this concession will be granted to the Legislature of New Zealand, which has constantly advocated its justice and expediency, and I express a hope that such care will bo exercised in making a proper and reasonable use of it, as will prove that it has been wisely sought aud granted. Arising out of the Conference, though not directly associat d with it, are proposals for the establishment of cable communication between Australia and Now Zealand, and Normantown and Singapore, in joint connection with the other Colonies. Your early attention will bo invited to these proposals, which await and aro subject to your concurrence I regret that, whilst so many other subjects received such a satisfactory consideration and decision at the hands of the Conference, upon the subject of mail services an unanimous conclusion was not arrived at, and, in consequence, it awaits your final arrangement. My advisers have given much consideration to the matter. Whilst they are anxious to re-open the Cali ornian service, they are only disposed to do so on terms which will do justice to the requirements of the Colony, and which will not disassociate New Zealand from the u«e of the Suez fervice. Negotiations are still pending, hut in all which have been entered into the approval of Parliament has been made an absolute condition.

The work of making roads in ative districts in the North Island, and thus through their aid, opening up the country for future settlement, has been prosecuted during the year with steadiness and success. It is gratifying to observe that the opposition originally manifested at several points to this undertaking is gradually lessening, as the Natives more fully understand the intentions of the Government and the benefit accruing to themselves from these works, in affording employment in the several districts, and in giving an increased value to tribal lands. It is gratifying to observe the Natives generally appreciate the advantages of peace, and are directing their attention to industrial pursuits and to the establishment of schools in which their children can obtain the advantages of an English education. The murder committed in Waikato by certain Natives has attracted much public notice. While lamenting the occurrence of a crime now happily so rare, I would announce with satisfaction that it has evoked from the leading tribes throughout the Island a general and public condemnation, as well as renewed declarations of their loyalty. The Government have left the criminals to the ordinary operation of the law. That operation may be early in a district still remote from European settlements, in which they have taken refuge ; but the Government, while mindful of tho requirements of justice and of the protection of industrious inhabitants, have not deemed it expedient, by any precipitate measures, to risk the disturbance of the generally peaceful condition of the Colony. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives— The Estimates, prepared with every desire to consult economy to the utmost extent consistent with the requirements of the public service, will bo laid before you. Your consideration will be asked to subjects relating to the Civil Service. The public revenue is increasing, and the improved credit of tho Colony is shown by the enhanced value of its securities. Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives— Measures will be laid before you to initiate the reconstruction of the constitution of the L. Council; to amend the laws relating to the Goldfields, to provide for education ; to consolidate tho laws relating to prisons ; to amend and consolidate the electoral laws ; to establish a silver and copper mint; to amend the insolvency laws, and to abolish imprisonment for debt; to provide for the election of a native district council; to amend the law relating to native lands, and to give increased security to persons insuring their lives. I confide to your careful attention these and other measures designed in the interests of the whole Colony, and of tho two races which inhabit it, and I trust that Divine Providence will bless your efforts to discharge efficiently your onerous duties.