THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 143, 13 May 1886, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

The third session of the ninth Parliament of New Zealand was this day opened -hy the Governor, when his Excellency was pleased to make the following speech : — Honorable Gentleman ef the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, It affords me much pleasure to meet you thus early in Parliament assembled. The year which, is now passing will be memorable throughout the British dominions as that on which our gracious sovereign enters on the fiftieth year of her reign. You will, I feel assured, desire to prove that the subjects of this the most distant portion of Her Majesty's possessions share .equally with Her Majesty' 8 subjects in other parts of world the highest appreciation of the great results of Her long and beneficent reign. You will be asked to consider the most suitable way of showing on behalf of thepeopleof New Zealand their affection and duty to the I person of the sovereign, their love and loyalty to the crown, their sense of gratification at belonging to a realm enjoying 1 a sway so benignant, and their desire to see the bonds which unite every portion of Her Majesty's vast empire confirmed and strengthened. It is particularly appropriate to such a year that I am able to announce to you that in the opinion of my Ministers there has never been a time when the relations between Her Majesty's European and Maori subjects, have been of so friendly a character. The Maoris are evincing an intelligent interest in colonizing operations, and a cordial recognition of the laws of Colony. They show this excellent disposition by the readiness wtth which they are seeking crown titles for large areas of country, through which the Northern Trunk Eailway will pass, and by their willingness to part with land to the Government for the purposes of settlement along that line of railway You will bo asked to amend the laws relating to the disposals of Native Lands in the direction which appears to my Ministers best adapted to do justice to the Maori owners and to hasten the occupation and settlement of the country. Public works have been proceeded with as rapidly as the means placed at the disposal of the Government would permit. Proposals will be laid before you for continuing railways and other public works, on a scale consistent with tho circumstances of the colony, and in the manner most calculation to secure sound economical results. My advisors are of opinion that the depression, rather than tunding t > discourage the energies of the people, should lead them io additional exertions, and that if concurrently with the progress of railways, abundant opp -rlunity will be offered to aottlers to occupy and cultivate land in farms oJ reasonable size, farmors from othei countries will be attracted to the colony, and materially aid its progress. Gentlemen of tho House of Representatives — The estimates of revenue and expenditure for tho current yoar will be laid before you. My advisers fully recognise the importance of keeping down the expenditure to the lowest limit consistent with meeting the requirements of the public office and tho wants of the country. The finances of the colony are ie a sound condition, and gratifying- pro<rros is being made with the conversion oi the loans. Hon. gentlemen of the Legislature Council and gentlemen of the House oi Representatives— A measure will be placed before yo¥ dealing with tho finance of local bodies and enlarging their power oi din ely managing their own affairs. Mj Ministers view with satisfaction the disposition which is being shown to develop the local resources of the colony, including those of mines, forests, and fisheries. The arrangement for the construction oi the Midland railway under authority conceded by Parliament is in the opinion of my advisers a matter for hearty rejoioing. Some points of a most material nature will have to be submitted for the ratification of Parliament. Bills will be submitted to you to consolidate the laws relating to crimes, to municipalities, to volunteers, and to mines ; to establish a parcel post system, and to amend tho Charitable Aid and Hospital Act. I earnestly commend to your attention tha business that will come beforo you.