Opening of Parliament

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 28, 19 August 1884, Page 3

Opening of Parliament

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH,

The following is a precis of the speech up to t ie time of our going to press : —

Hf>n Gentlemen of the Legislatne Council and Gentlemen of the House of Revrttsentiitives, — It affords nic muuii pleasure 10 meet you again in Parlian c t assembled. My advisers are of opmi. n that it is uncle arable that questions of abstract policy should at present be dealt with. Attention should be given to argent matters relating to the material, ecouomic, and indusirial inter* sts of the colony. It is proposed to deal with the industrial resources of the colony, prominent amongst which may be mentioned the mining interest, the promotiou of settlement, and the advancement of local production and manufactures. My Ministers consider that great care should, be exercised with regard to extending existing Public Works engagements. Some works already commenced require to be carried on vigorously, such for example as the Otago Cen ral .Railway. The small length of line required to connect 3 apier with Palmerston should also receive early attention My advisers will propose to you to endeavor in the first instance to procure the c )': »r -ction of the Middle Island Trunk .Railway. The completion of through ra Iway communication between At.cklwid and Wellington is a colonial work of viut impor - ance which must be hasted to a conclusi n with the utmost possible expedition. It will be proposed to you to appoint a Select Committee to report which route it would be most expedient t > adopt. Authority will be asked to enable the State to acquire extension blocks of land along the line of this railway My advisers are of opinion that lands adjacent to this and other railways should be set apart for the settlement of a large number of families ou conditions calculated to ensure their prosperity. The lands in North Island that are now held by natives should be put to prod ueti ye uses as rapidly as posible. either by natives themselves or Europeans.

UvmliMiien of the House of Repre cnlalives, — viy advisers greatly object to the present Property Tax, and will propose its repeal. They are favorable to an equal and moderate land tax, deducting from value of land improvements and a, reasonable amount of exemption.

.Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Bepfeßentatives, — - A measure will be submitted to you to provide for Railway Boards of Management in the Middle Island and in Auckland, subject to Parliament retaining control over tariff of charges. Your attention wilt be called to- expediency of promoting trade and commercial relations with Pacific Islands.

A Bill will be brought before yon to place under adequate management - the Life Insurance Department.