THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 3, 16 June 1883, Page 3

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

The subjoined condensed report of the Governor's speech, delivered at the opening of Parliament, was published by us as an Extra on Thursday evening last. "We had arranged to publish the speech in our usual Town Edition, but owing to the lateness of the hour at which it was received, we were compelled to issue an Extra : — Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : It affords me much pleasure to meet you for the first time in Parliament assembled. Since my assumption of the Government of this colony I have visited a considerable portion of each island, and have thus been able to obtain a personal knowledge of various districts, and to make the acquaintance of many of the the residents. I trust ere long to be able to complete my tour throughout the whole of the colony. I have been specially gratified by the liearty welcome given to me by the Natives whom I have met in different parts of the country. I was much impressed ■wherever I went by the signs of present prosperity, especially by the vast capabilities of New Zealand, which only need for their developement a larger population and more extended markets for its produce. I feel sure that as the inducements this country has to offer become more fully realized in Europe, increasing numbers of suitable settlers will be attracted to its shores. A few clays ago the Government cf Victoria telegraphed to my advisers, proposing thnt New Zealand should join the Australian colonies in asking the Imperial Government to establish British rule over the" New Hebrides and other islandsof the Pacific. [Realizing the great importance of these islands to Australasia, and the serious detriment it would be to British interests, should tney fall into the hands of a "foreign power, I have telegraphed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, •expressing my full concurrence in the desirability of such action, and my advisers at once acceding to the proposal made to them by the Victorian Government telegraphed to the Agent- General of this Colony, instructing him to cooperate with the Agent - General of "Victoria in urging these views on the Colonial Office. On Tuesday last a telegram was received from the Agent General to the effect that Lord Derby would be willing to promote the views of the Colonies ou these subjects if some satisfactory assurance* were given that tney would bear the necessary expense. -Since Parliament last met a marked improvement lifts become apparon*, in the relations between the Maoris on the one hand and the Government and European settlers on the other. On the West Coast of the North Island where great anxiety recently prevailed there now exists a feeling of security. The Native Chiefs, Te Whiti and Tohu, have been released from custody, and permitted to return to Parihaka where they are now residing. There is no indication that this concession will lead to dangerous proceedings on the part of the Natives. The labors of the West Coast Commission now drawing to a close, will, no doubt, be productive of much good to the Maoris, and will greatly promote the beneficial occupation and improvement of the country by both races. The special thanks of the colony are due to Sir William Fox for his vetj valuable services towards bringing about a satisfactory result. Jhe unopposed reopening of the harbour of Xawhia, the laying out of a Government township adjacent to the harbor, and the «xploranon for railway purposes of a part of the country where for many year 3 Europeans had not been permitted even to travel, warrant the belief that the Natives are realizing that the developement of the resources of the country will most effectively promote their own inters «sts. The pressing forward of surveys and the construction of roads prior to the alienation of Crown lands have proceeded actively during the past year with satisfactory results. Further experience has shown that some changes are requisite in the- land laws in order to give fuller «ffect to the desire of the legislature that the public estate should be so disposed of as to promote the distribution of the land amongst a numerous and industrious population. Amendments of existing Acts having that object will be submitted .for your consideration. During the last session Parliament determined to adopt a system of leasing agricultural lands with a perpetual tenure. The initation of the system has been attended with results which may be deemed satisfactory. The introduction of population under the nominated system of immigration has been carried on during the recess. The increasing facilities of communication with Europe, the large area of land which is being opened for settlement by roads and railway, nnd the establishment of new industries offer year by year greater inducements for the introduction of capital, Increased facilities for developing the goldfields have been provided, and encouragement to the industry thereby afforded. Large sums have been expended by private enterprise in opening out quartz reefs. I have been ftble'lo give effect to the wishes of the Legislature by arranging for the continuation of the San Francisco Mail Service for a period of two years beyond the termination of the existing contract. Tenders for the establishment of a direct line jo£ -steamships between Great Britian and the colony were advertised for, but without result. Gentlemen of the House of jßepresentatives: The Estimates will be laid before you in a few days. Hon Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : will be presented to you, showing that the public revenue during the past year has been well maintained. The railway receipts are satisfactory. • It is I think generally conceded that the Legislative Council has for the raost_part discharged its function's with credit to itself and with advantage to the colony, but public opinion has come, or is fast coming to the conclusion that the time has. arrived when an elective should be substituted for a nominated chamber. The views of my advisers on this very important subject will be laid before you

' during tho session. The work of consoiidating the Statutes of the Colony has been steadily proceeded witli during the recoss. I hope that your deliberations j may result in promoting the happiness j and welfare all classes of Her Majesty's 1 subjects in this portion of her dominions.