The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 1884. The Governor's Speech

Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 76, 7 June 1884, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 1884. The Governor's Speech

This production contained the usual number of platitudes discoverable in such speeches, and merely reproduced in a slightly amended form what ha 6 been already spoken from various public platforms by the Premier and the Minister for Lands. The following extract gives a forshadowing of the intentions of Ministers, if allowed to retain their seats on the Treasury Benches. There are no issues mentioned, however, which could by any means be twisted into " burning questions," on which the Government could demand a dissolution, in order to " go to the country," and it is just possible Ministers will look to the Opposition to supply them : — " Careful surveys have been made of different routes proposed for the main truuk railway through the North Island. .Reports as to these, show ing their respective merits and the character of the country travelled by each, will be laid before you. In accordance with the terms of "The North Island Main Trunk Eailway Loan Act, 1882," your approval will be asked for that route which is shown to offer upon the whole the greatest advantages. A bill will be introduced having for its object to establish the Civil Service on a more satisfactory basis. By its provisions it will be sought to give the officers a confidence in their status, as defined by legislation, which cannot but be beneficial to them* selves, and to the public they serve. At the same time, a guarantee will be afforded that appointments will be the reward of merit, and that promotion will be open in all departments of the service to those who prove themselves efficient. Amongst other measures submitted for your consideration will be a bill to provide for the carriage of parcels*- by post, a bill to amend the Regulation of Elections Act, a bill to alter the constitution ot certain city electorates, a bill to consolidate and amend the law relating to the qualification and registration of voters, and to provide for the issue of electors' writs, a bill to amend the laws relating to the property of married women, and a bill to facilitate the alienation of land." We will not quarrel with the convenient fiction in the statement that " careful surveys have been made," which is not a fact, Mr Rochfobt not having yet completed the exploration of the Oroua Valley Route. The long promised re-arrangement of the Civil Service is intimated, but as it threatens to do away with patronage, it will be but feebly supported by the Government. As the parcels post system has proved such a costly failure in England, our Colonial wiseacres are going to try their hands at it, in order no doubt, to make appointments for many of their friends who would necessarily be dismissed by the weeding of the Civil Service, if the new bill was passed. The address concludes with the, " I trust that your decisions may, by God r s blessing, add to the happiness and well-being of the people of New Zealand " — which means the Atkinson family and Jheir friends.