THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Feilding Star, 11 June 1885, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

(pee united pbess association). Wellington, This Day. Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatires — I have much pleasure in again having recourse to your assistance in Parliament assembled. The depression that was prevalent throughout the colony when you met last year shows signs of passing away in many parts. Notwithstanding the low price of wool and wheat satisfactory evidence is apparent of renewed enterprise is »f confidence in tne future progress of the colony. The local disposition of the Maories and the readiness they have displayed in aiding the construction of the Northern Trunk Railway must be exceedingly gratifying to you my Ministers desire in dealing with the natives to treat them with justice and consideration, whilst at the same time the law is maintained. There are throughout the native territory many signs that the attitude of the Maoris is not only pence! ul but friendly. Tribes and hapus hitherto standing aloof from Europeans have shown an earnest desire to cooperate heartily with the Government. My adrisers are of opinion tbat in order to avoid misunderstang in the future it is most important that a better mode of dealing with Native- Lands should be devised. To accomplish this in a manner just to the Maori owners and beneficial to the colony they propose to submit to you a Bill to regulate the sale and other disposition to lands belonging to the natives. The construction of the North Island Main Trunk Railway, which was hnppily inaugurated near JLihikiki in April la.st cannot fail to have a most beneficial effect on the relations between the European and native races, and as land is prorided for settlement along the line the A orth Island will doubtless make great strides in permanent agricultural settlements my ministers have proceeded cautiously but effectively with the prosecnlion of other public works. They hope that at no distant date the railway between Napier and Wellington will be finished. Rapid progressis i-eing made in the construction of the Otago Central Railway, which, when completed, will open the interior plains of that provincial district. No time was lost in making an agreement under the East and West Coast and Nelsoa Railways Act, aad my Ministers are in hopes that in accordance with its provisions Nelson and the West Coast will before long be connected with the East Coast of the Middle Island, and that a vast urea of land which, from its nature requires a "ailway to develop it, will become available for useful purposes. The gain to the colony from opening these lines of communication with the West Coast my Ministers consider will be of immense importance, w hilst the utilisation of the land of which the colony will retain alternate blocks must prove of great service. You will be asked to consider whether the effective working of the railways opened for traffic could not be improved by v the constitution of Boards of Commissioners, to whom would be entrusted the general management cf the railways. In order to enable you to deal with this subject my Ministers will submit a Bill for your consideration. (Conclusion of speech to come.)