The Evening Star SATURDAY, JULY 4 1874.

Evening Star, Issue 3546, 4 July 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, JULY 4 1874.

The session of Parliament just entered upon may be extended beyond what is expected, but if so it will not be through the multiplicity of measures foreshadowed in the Governor’s Speech. We do not know how far his Excellency is responsible for the forms of expression in it, but the Address certainly does not appear in that smooth and dreamy dress in which Sir George Bowen’s programmes were clad,- There is a brusqueness about the Speech delivered yesterday which leads to the idea that although it was necessary to say something, the less said the better j and since, as Parliament had met for business, some matters must be presented for members to deal with, it was as well to hint at something, without committing the Government to very debateable ground. The first part of the Address deals with the past the marriage of the Duke qf Edinburgh, the Governor’s personal inspection of New Zealand, the carryingoutof the Public Worksand Immigration scheme, the resumption of the Californian Mail Service, the general prosperity of the Colony, and There is nothing in any one of these subjects that calls for immediate remark. Of course, everybody wishes the Prince and his bride may be happy, and that Her Majesty’s happiness may be increased in witnessing that of her children j and if, in addition to this result, the good understanding betweeuGreat Britain and Russia may put an end to absurd Tory vaticinationsrespectingthe Eastern question, the world wilj beagreatgainer. We have no doubt the Governor enjoyed his trip round and into the country, and he very wisely kept out of sight the extraordinary session of Parliament, consequent upon his not leaving his sign manual

to authorise further prorogation when he was yachting on the West Coast. We expect some ill-tempered member or other, in a fit of spleen, will put a question on the subject, when no doubt a long debate will ensue in which vast stores of constitutional lore will be unlocked and presented gratis to the public. With regard to immigration, we anticipate stormy attacks on the Government with and without reason.

The ‘ Daily Times ’ may perhaps feel astounded at the announcement to the House of Representatives respecting the very considerable increase in the revenue, which should, if true, justify confidence in “ continuing the great pub.ic works of the Colony.” We recommend, therefore, that the balancesheet should be carefully analysed by our morning contemporary, lest the financial juggling which he so often detects should deceive the country. The acuteness and intelligence with which this arithmetical process has been prosecuted on prior occasions necessarily suggest the idea that either some serious laches will be discovered, or at least a mare’s nest.

, The latter part of the speech deals with things to come : the first of which is an unmixed good. The Life Assurance and Annuities department, of which the Premier was the originator many years ago, has proved so successful that a division of profits among the assurers, in the form of addition to the amounts insured, will be made. This will prove a most acceptable boon to those who. have availed themselves of the opportunity of providing for the future, and places the system in an equally advantageous position with the best offices. The papers respecting the Polynesian Islands must prove interesting ; and we trust they will lead to a full recognition of the commercial advantages derivable from cultivating trade with Polynesia, and of the iniquity and injustice of the depopulating process called the “ labor traffic,” for the exclusive advantage of Queensland and Fiji. The franchise, conservation of forests, and avoidance of deadlocks, are the other topics with which the Government propose to deal. On these points we do not suppose the Ministry are likely to take such a stand as to endanger their own stability, and consequently organised opposition is hardly likely upon them. With so meagre a programme, the work should be easily got through, although we are quite prepared to expect jbhe usual time will be occupied ; for it is quite ag .easy to get up a debate on the question why a certain measure is not brought forward, as on why one under discussion should not pass.