OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 2, 19 June 1890, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

THE GOVERNOB'S SPEECH. Parliament was opened this afternoon by tbe Governor. The following is aprecis of the usual speech : — The speech refers to the Governor's travels through, tho colony, the Dunedin Exhibition, and the jubilee of the colony, and then reads : It is satisfactory to note that where there has been an increase of revenue it has been in items which show that a further advance has been made in productive pursuits,' while the stationary condition of other items shows that there has been no departure from the temperate habits of the people ; the volume of exports has still further increased, and while the ■ value o£ some, notably flax, has unfortunately declined, that of others remained fairly satisfactory. My .minsters will place before you information which will show that the productiveness of the colony has increased. The waste lands of the Grown have during tho past year been settled at a satisfactory rate of progress. My Minister have endeavoured to afford to selectors as wide a choice as the nature of the land now held by the Grown would admit. Statements will be placed before yon to show that this has resulted in the settlement of a large area of land, and I am. glad to be able to inform you that the increase in the number of agricultural holdings was last year greatly in excess of that during' any previous year of the colony's history. My Ministers believe greater progress can be made if more adequate means are provided for opening up land in advance of settlement by means of roads and for acquiring Native lands. Proposals will be submitted for effecting these obj ects. My Ministers will submit for your approyal a scheme based on General Edwards report, which they believe will, if carried out, provide for the defence of the colony against any attack which is likely in case of war to be made upon it. The Estimates of expenditure have been prepared with a due regard for economy, the increased demand for school houses, and other public buildings has been considered. Votes for this 'purpose, to be provided for out of the revenue, will be found in the Estimates. Proposals were submitted by the Imperial Government to my Ministers, inviting my Ministers, inviting the colony to enter into an arrangement by which the rate of postage to Europe would be reduced to 2£d per letter. My advisers were unable to agree to these proposals inasmuch as they would have incurred a serious loss of revenue, unless changes' were made in the mail systems, which they could not without your saction. Beturns have been prepared which, showthere has been during the year a large increase in all branches of traffic on the railways, affording another evidence of a. steady advance of the productive power of the colony. * Bills have been prepared for consolidating and amending the law relating to the qualification and registration of electors, aad providing for the issue of electoral rights, dealing with the Civil Service, amending the law with regard to Hospital and Charitable Aid, amending the Cjun ; es Act, and alte.iig: and consolidating tbe law of bankruptcy. Tiie Governmen , alt uc ugh gratified to learn from the C jmmissioiiers' report that " sweating " lal not fully taken ; root, agree with the Commissioners- that an amendment of the law is necessary. I commend all these matters to your careful attention and I assure you' of uiy earnest desire to co-operate with you in endeavouring to further the interest of the colony.