OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 2, 20 June 1889, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Weizisotov, Thii Day. - Parliament was opened this afternoon by His Excellency the Governor. Th» following ia a resume of the speech ; — . Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Conn- . cil and Gentlemen of the House of Bepresentatives — During my stay in Auckland, and my overland journey to this city, I noted with gratification the variety and extent of the natural wealth of this island, and the energy and industry which have been displayed in promoting the work of colonisation. The efforts which have been mad© to reduce the cost of administering the government and to increase the revenue have fortunately been vgry successful. The increase in value and volume of many of the country's productions has made the task of retrenchment easier. The higher ; prices which have been obtained for its chief exports, while adding to the capital and increasing the income of the country are restoring confidence in its resources..- . .- . This is shown not only by the large amount of capital expended in industries whioh have been found remunerative. Judged by the value of its securities ; . - in the London market the colony's ■ credit has from month to month during the past year, steadily advanced in England. My Government have brought into operation the Government Baiiway Act, 1887, and have placed the railways under the management of three locally appointed officers. After careful inquiry my advisers came to the conclusion that- - ' it was impossible to get from abroad for-: the salary which was authorised a Chief Commissioner. My advisers believe that their choice cf Commissioners will be justified by results. The sales of public land within the colony have been very satis- v^..-.r factory, both as to the quantity disposed^ usor: of and the class of persons who have ao- ;--' quired it. Much of the land has been taken up in small areas. \ '■ ■ Gentlemen of the House of Represents- ■ tives — -■- The estimates of the revenue and ex- ,'■:■ penditure for current year will be brought . ..- •:-- before you at an early date, when thej^fwill, I have no doubt, receive your careful consideration. The estimates of ex--penditure have been prepared with dua regard to economy. Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of .the House of Bepresentatives — .'" .' ; ■■'„' There will be laid before you a number of Bills dealing with matters of public interest. My advisers are of opinion that the time has come when the Jaws regular.ting the election of members of the House. . of Bepresentatives should- ,be ■ 7r x&- , 4 modelled under the Hare, system. „ A measure classifying the civil servants'. „ »nd providing for their promotion and^ re- '^ [ numeration upon defined' principle|- will : be laid before you, and a Bill dealing 'with ' management of Hospital and Redistribution of charitable aid has alsoybeen ■•■ prepared. There will be submitted^ to "■ you a Bill dealing with the Propertj^tax.^ There will be presented to you BiilsdeifJ- . : ing with the registration of medical-prj&c-titioners, constituting a medical council, . ! and amending the law of bankruptcy. : '"' " r