OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 120, 10 May 1888, Page 3

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

] PES UNITED FBESS ASSOCIATION.! Wellikoton, This Day.

Parliament was opened this afternoon by His Excellency the Governor. Following is a a summary of the speech :—

1 Although lam not able to congratulate you upon any decided change in the condition of the great industries of New Zealand, or of the trade of the country, it is satisfactory to know that signs of improvement are not wanting, while some classes of produce are unfortunately low in price. The increase which has taken place in the value of wool must beneficially effect the people, A bill has been prepared dealing with the Civil Service in a manner which it is believed will meet with your approval. It is hoped that the classification which it is proposed to effect uuder it while rendering \ economy more easy of attaiment will act beneficially upon the service itself. Ministers have been able to effect large reductiens in the annual cost of the Defence Department, and the colony is now fairly well prepared for any emergency which may arise. The Land Act of last session has been beneficial in its operations. Tae Chinese question is becomir.g one of serious ciiiculty, and my advisers consider that until some common ground of agreement is arrived at between the Imperial Government and the Government of the Chinese Empire, this Colony mutt join with the other Australian Colonies, enacting measures of a restrictive character, A bill dealing with the subject will be laid before you. Time has not permitted the earring out of the reforms contemplated by " The Government Hallways Act, 1887." Alterations in the Taiiff will be submitted for your consideration. The object of this alteration will be to affoid further financial aid in CBrrymg on the departments of the Government, while due regard will also be paid to the effect which the alterations will have upon the trade and manufactures of the colony.