The Feilding Star. SATUEDAY, MAY 12, 1888. The Governor's Speech

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 121, 12 May 1888, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATUEDAY, MAY 12, 1888. The Governor's Speech

♦ There is seldom any variety in speeches from the " Throne," and that delivered by His Excellency Sir Wiirr.TAivr Jervois on the opening of Parliament on Thursday last (a summary of which appeared in the town edition of Thursday's issue) is certainly no exception. We seem to have heard it all before. There are the usual platitudes about the reductions in public expenditure generally ; the slight improvement in trade, with indications of better times in the shadowy future; putting the Civil Service permanently on a proper footing, and reduction of salaries without impairing the efficiency of the officers. In this connection there is certainly an innovation when His Excellency says:-—" My Ministers wish to place upon record • their appreciation of the manner in which the Civil servants as a body have aided in carrying out changes necessary to effect economy. They have readily furnished information, and have displayed a willingness to fall in with any altered system, although it, in many instances, entailed reduced remuneration and increased duties. The task imposed upon the Government has thus been much facilitated." This is the first time on record where " The Throne" has been guilty of such an act of politeness to Civil servants, as to thank them, or in fact to speak kindly of them at all. Further on we are reminded that a war vessel is being built by the Im- . perial Government " with all possible expedition," and that, in consequence, the safety of this part of the empire is insured. We are glad to hear it. We are also glad to hear that "the Harbor Defence Works are well prepared for any emergency that may arise." It will be good news to many, although some may doubt, " that the economies rendered necessary by the reduced vote for education have been carried ' out withouc impairing the system." Peace with the Maoris is assured, and "the time has arrived when the great question of dealing with Native lands ' should be treated upon a basis in accord with the advancing knowledge of the Native race." There is a strange ! familiarity in this sentence, which reminds us of the days of our hot youth. The speech makes vague L allusions to the Chinese question, the rabbit pest, and glosses over the ma,- , bility of the Government to carry out the provisions of the Bailways Act of last jear, by appointing a Chief Commissioner, by saying, " a selection was not made," a truth we were ail previously acqnainted with. " Tinkering with the tariff" is vaguely indicated, but only in such a way as to have an injurious effect on trade. It is called " the re-adjustment of anomalies" this time, but the change is only in the term. The electoral laws, and acts for the maintenance and discipline in the naval and military forces are to be amended, and several important measures are to be laid before Parliament. And that is all.