OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 3690, 20 July 1875, Page 3

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

[Bt Telegraph.] Wellington, July 20. His Excellency ths Governor opened Parlia ment to-day with the following speech

Hon. Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen op the House op Representatives.— I have great pleasure in now for the first time meeting the Parliament of Now Zealand, i and I trust your deliberations during tho present session may tend to advance the wellbeing and good government of the Colony. Since my assumption of Government I have had the satisfaction of visiting four great centres of population and becoming personally acquainted with some portions of the Middle Island, and I must congratulate you upon the great energy which has been evidenced and the rapid strides which have been mads towards the development of the resources of this rich and fertile country. The reception which I everywhere received as her Majesty’s representative has been moat cordial and loyal, and it will, I can assure you, be ray anxious desire to extend my visits with as little delay as possible to all portions of the Colony, in order that I may become personally acquainted with its resources and requirements, and, as far as possible, with the inhabitants of the various districts. I observed, with the utmost satisfaction, the progress which was being made in the construction of those great public works which have bse* undertaken by toelGovemment under your authority, and I trust the time is net far distant when the industry of the Colony will receive a fresh impetus by their completion. Tho debt incurred in the formation of railways has indeed been large ; but at the same time the returns received from those sections already opened are most encouraging, and tend greatly to prove the wisdom of tho policy adopted by you, Uur relations with that section of the Native people of the Celony which has been so long estranged from ua continue to improve. The recent meeting of Tawhiao with the Native Minister—a meeting sought for and arranged by Tawhaio himself—gives premise that the isolation in which the immediate adherents of the Maori King have hitherto held themselves is about to terminate. The renewed desire of the Natives to provide an English education for their children, as shown by the largo increase in tho number of schools in the Native districts, and the general resumption of industrial pursuits give assurance of the maintenance of peace, and of a desire on their part to participate with the European colonists in the general prosperity. A communication by telegraph has been received intimating that a new contract for a mail steam service to and from San Francisco has been made by Sir Daniel Cooper as representing the Government of New South Wales, and Mr Russell os representing the Government of New Zealand, subject to ratification by the Legislatures of the respective Colonies. The contract and papers will be laid before you when received. You will be gratified to learn that a contract has been made by Sir J. Vogel, acting on behalf of the Government, for the laying of a telegraph cable between New South Wales and New Zealand, upon terms much more advantageous than were believed to be attainable when the undertaking was first authorised, and that the Government of New South Wales has become a party to the contract, and has agreed to contribute one-third (L 25,000) of the annual subsidy (L 75,000). Gentlemen op the House of Representatives,— The estimates of expenditure for the current financial year will be laid before you. Whilst providing for the requirements of the public service, these estimates have been so framed as to secure the utmost economy found to be consistent with the complete efficiency of tho seve ral departments, Tho Immigration and Public Works Loan of four millions, authorised by tho Act of last session, has been successfully negotiated. Papers relating to this operation will belaid before you without delay. It will afford you satisfaction to be informed that the public revenue continues to increase —that the actual receipts for the past financal year have been considerably in excess of the official estimates. Hon, Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen op the House op Representatives',—

In accordance with tho resolutions adopted by the House of Representatives last session, the necessary measures for the abolition of the Provincial form of Government and for the establishment cf a more thorough form of local government in the North Island have been prepared, and will be immediately laid beforeyou. Youwillbe invitedtodecidewhelher taking the circumstances of the Colony into consideration, as well as the present financial condition and future prospects of some of tho Provincial Governments in the Middle Island, the operation of tho proposed meosures may not at once with general advantage be so extended as to include the whole of the Provinces.

In view of the proposed constitutional changes, and of the approaching termination of the existence of the present Parliament, a readjustment of the representati m of the people to meet tho altered circumstances of the electoral divisions has become necessary. Bills will accordingly bo submitted for your consideration for amending the law relative to the qualification of electors, and for a readjustment of representation. A Bill to consolidate aud amend the laws relating to Stamp Duties, and a Bill to amend the law relating to insolvency will also be laid before you. I confide to your earnest attention this and other measures to be brought before you, in the hope that the Divine wisdom will guide you faithfully to discharge your onerous duties.