PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1492, 28 June 1905, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

PIOTURESQUE SCENE.

THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH AT OPENING. 1 i(Fer Press Association.) Wellington, last night. 1 Tho third session of tho fifteenth Parlia--1 inont was oponud by tbo Governor this afternoon. Tho attendance of tho publio in tbo vioioity of Parliament Buildings was tho largest that has been seen in reoent yours, and the military portion of the ceremonial was on a much larger scalo on aooount of the big muster of bluejackets from H.M.S. Challenger and local school cadets. The scone on tbo lawn in front of the buildings, where tho military contingents were drawn np, was a very pioturesque one. , All tho available space in the Legislative Counoil obamber was filled to overflowing. As His Exoelloncy loft Government House for Parliament Buildings, escortod by troops of the Heretaunga Mounted Rifles, the D Battery fired a salute from tho Esplanade, and the Garrison Band played the National Aothem as His Excelleney arrived at Parliament Buildings. ,

Tho Vice-Regal party inoluded, besides His Exaellenoy, Lady Plunket, Miss Plunket, Captain Braithwaito (A.D.C.), Captain Bingham, and Mr Waterfield (private secretary). \ When Parliament settled down to the usual formal business this aftornoon, both Houses passed resolutions regretting the deaths of Sir A. J. Cadman and Mr George Fisher. Iu the Council Mr Wigram, and in the House Mr Flatman, gave notice to move the Address in-Reply. Tbe debate in the House will be taken to-morrow, but the Council adjourned until Thursday. THE SPEECH.

His Excellency expressed his great pleasure at meeting Parliament assembled, the cordial reception tendered to him in the oolony, and the general prosperity. Continuing, he said :— My Ministers, in accordance with the resolutions of the House of Representatives, recommended, and I appointed, a Royal Commission to enqaire into tbe laws relating to land and land settlement. The Commission has not yet completed its labors, but will do so in the course of a few days. With a view of ascertaining the desires of the natives whose ancestors gave certain lands situated at Porirua and in other parts of the North Island to trustees for specific purposes, I have appointed a Royal Commission which is prosecuting an enquiry. Steps have been taken for holding an international exhibition in Christohurch. It is proposed to have exhibition opened in the menth of November, 1906.. Some time ago a New Zealander under contract for employment in the United States was not allowed to land in San Francisco. On the voyage back to this colony be suffered at Honolulu an indignity at the hands of the captain of the steamer. Representations were made through the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the United States Government and a satisfactory conclusion resulted, and reparation has been made. You will be gratified to learn that the population of tbe colony is steadily increasing, the excess of arrivals over departures being considerable, especially during tho last 12 months. There is aIBO an increased birthrate. Since the year 1890 the population has increased by 23,000 and tbe total population of the colony, including Maoris, is now estimated to be 900,682. The arrival of Chinese in large numbers, and the fact that some 50 were recently a charge on tbe Ot3go Charitable Aid Board, are matters for your strenuous consideration. The returns, which will be laid before you, indicate that there has been during the year a very large increase in the traffic on bur railways, showing a considerable growth in our staple products and an extension of tbe industries of our colony, whilst tbe greater number of passengers demonstrates increased spending power. The Customs returns show a steady advance on tho preceding year, aud tho result of the preferential tariff has boon a slight improvement in the importation of goods from tbe United Kingdom. On tbe other hand, the increase in the imports from foreign countries bas stopped, and there is now a slight decrease as compared with previous years. Tbe question of tbe export trade in perishable goods from this country is of great importance. My advisers consider the sheep owners and dairy farmers of the colony should be placed in a position that will enable them to obtain an adequate return for their enterprise and industry ; further ihat .the freight on goods from the United Kingdom should be as much as £2 10s a ton, when the freight on the same class of goods from the United States is only 12s par ton is a matter of grave concern. Tbe estimates of the revenue and expenditure for the year will be placed before you, and in their preparation due regard has been paid to efficiency and eoonomy. The revenue for the past year exoeeded the estimate. A substantial surplus on tbe year’s transactions resulted, and so far this year the receipts are in excess of the corresponding period for last year. The over subscriptions and satisfactory returns obtained on our last loan and tbo enhanced f prices our Btocks are realising, denote a marked improvement in the public credit, and lam pleased to state that tbe rate of ia IrtTxrot* T*hia roil] afcimnln.fiA in-

dnstries, the development of our natural resources, and assure a saving to the taxpayers. The amount required for the payment of the pensioos to the deserving aged of the colony will be found to be less than it was three years ago. The financial position of the colony has much improved, and. my advisers are of the opinion that the pension should be increased, making the weekly payment 10s, in lieu of 7s now paid. 'X'ou will be asked by tho public works proposals which will be submitted to you to provide for the more expeditious construction of important railway lines, for the extension of telephones to back" block settlers, and for the early completion of roods to tho outpost settlements. _ The increased attendance at tho schools in the large centre.e of population has to some extent resulted in overcrowding, and the spaarl of settlement necessitates provision being made for additional school accommodation. Xou will be requested to make larger appropriations for school buildings generally, and particularly for school buildings in nowly-settled districts. The subsidies and contributions to the funde of

local authorities from the'State require to be placed on an itnpxcyed basis, and it is proposed to grant the ne£ royalties on timber and flax to the sovorai focal aotborities whose roads are used and impeded by the cartage of these products. 2?ho estimates will be increased by the amount required for taking the census and defraying the cost of the general elections. You will be gl*d jto learn that during the year a very large area of fand has been.acquired under the Land for Act. Every section of the Lindsay estate in Hawke’e Bay, and the Greenfield estate in Otago, has been taken np, aud in regard to the Flaxbourne estate, only ODe small section of five acres remains unapplied for. Yet, the earth huDger still continues. Other largo estates in both the North and South Islands are under negotiation, and the demand for closer settlement must be provided for, It is a matter for congratulation that settlejmect generally throughout the colony has proceeded a rapid rate, whilst the markets for our products have increased aod good priceß are ruling. A pleasing feature I have to announce is that notwithstanding tho increased amount received through the Customs the general taxation per head of population has decreased as compared with the last two years. You are aware that the post and telegraph and railway branches of our public soevico have been classified to the advantage of the Stats aDd tbo.se employed. My Ministers, ip the interest of economy and uniformity, are of the opinion that the whole of the Civil Service should be classified, and the superannuation allowanoe now granted in the .case of the police and railway services made universal throughout tho service. In view of altered conditions and the uncertainty of the attendance basis, upon which salaries are made payable, an amendment in the Education Act will be submitted for your consideration, with the viow of increasing teachers’ salaries. The endeavor to obtain a superannuation scheme for school teaohers is beset with difficulties, especially in respect to teachers of advanced

yoara. A soheme, however, will bo submitted, and my Miniaters hope-the same will soon bo passed into law. For the purpose of promoting tho industries of the colony end placing thorn on a satisfactory basis, and providing for economical working and lighting, my advisers oonsidor that tho natural motive power of our rivers, lakes, and , watorfalls should bo utilised. Especially is this necessary if wo aro to oompote on anything liko equal torma with other countries where wages aro I lower, longer hours are worked, and motive power is.much cheaper than in tho colony. Proposals to this ond will be i submitted for your consideration. The occupation of native lands is desired by both natives and Europeans. The spread of settlement is retarded by large areas of native land lying waste, with the necessity for closer occupation it is doomed essential, in tho interests of both Europeans and natives, that an initial effort should bo made to place the native ownors of such of the lands as are required for their use, and next that the landless natives of the same hapn or tribo should be provided for as tenants, and that the surplus lands should bo acquired under a law similar in character to the Lands for Settlement Act, tho land to be dealt with through the land boards, and the proceeds j to go to the native ownors, tho settlement 3f the natives on their own lands to be lealt with by the Maori Councils. A Bill lealing with this important mattetf'will be -introduced. _ |

After referring to the improved prospoots of mining and other matters, the Speeoh oontinued: —The extent of the area of land whioh under the law as it now stands may be hold in a borough by any pe'rson, and whioh is exempt from being taken under the compulsory provisions of the Lands for Settlements Aot, renders the obtaining of land for workmen’s homes in urban districts practically impossible. It is desirable that the area should be reduced if land is to be taken for the purpose intended by the Legislature. Few workmen hovo money wherewith to pay for the erection of houses, and they have to borrow money at high rates of interost, resulting in many oases in cramped and unsuitable buildings. Although provision has been made under the Municipal Corporation Act, enabling Borough Counoils to provide workmen’s homes, practically nothing has been done to provont overcrowding and to house the workers properly. My Ministers are of opinion that the same powers which are conferred upon local bodies should be taken by the State itself, with power to build worhmpn’s homos or to advanco

moony for this purpose. The necessary legislation to enable this to bo done will be submitted for your consideration. The existing law enabling advances to bo made to settlers provide ouly for such advances being made up to 60 per cent of the tenant’s ioterest in the land leaded by him. My advisers are of opinion that larger advances could with Bafety be made, and to that end you will be asked to amend the law. Considering the onerous, important, and additional duties performed by them, j the salaries of the Magistrates, it is considered, should be increased, and proposals I in that behalf will be placed before you. I