GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 79, 1 September 1874, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(Per Anglo-Australian Press Tdegragh Agency.) Wellington, August 31. In the House to-day, Mr Vogel announced that- Mr Russell was going to Sydney to rearrange the Californian Mail Service. PROROGATION. Parliament was prorogued at 3 o’clock today ; 21 members were present, but very few of the public, the day being wet. The following is His Excellency’s speech: Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, I have to thank you for the attention which you paid to tnc discharge of your onerous duties during the short but very arduous session which I am now about to terminate. This is the last occasion upon which I shall have the hou«r of addressing you from this place. I desire to assure you that, in resigning the high ollicc which 1 have held but for a short term, 1 am deeply sensible of the constant courtesy and consideration which has been shown by all with whom I have been brought into contact, whether officially or in ray private relations ; that in returning to a private station at home I shall retain a deep interest in the welfare of this most promising community ; that I shall deem it not less a privilege than a duty to serve its interests in so far as my humble means and opportunities may enable me. I anticipate great benefit to the colony from the State Forests Act, which you passed, providing as it does for setting apart forests which will not only be of use in maintaining the future industries of the colony, but which may be expected to have a beneficial effect on the climate, and upon the productiveness of its lands. Providing, as the Act does, the machinery for the establishment of state forests, I am not disposed to regret the short delay in determining the actual positions of the forests, You'have unmistakeably committed the colony to the establishment of state forests, and it will be your duty to see that adequate lands are provided for them from which sufficient revenues will be obtainable to do justice to your intentions. You have passed many measures this session which will materially aid in carrying on the public service of the colony, and in remedying the defects which experience has proved to exist. I regret that the length of the session did not enable you to deal with the question of promoting commercial intercourse with Polynesia, It is one which I hope will have your careful consideration ; and it will be the duty of my advisers to bear in mind the large interest which New Zealand has in the subject, with the view of bringing it before you on a future occasion, The attention of my advisers will be earnestly given to further continuing public works, and promoting immigration. _ The reestablishment of a Californian mail packet service in conjunction with New (South Wales, and giving effect to the provisions already agreed to for the establishment of cable communication with the other parts of the world will also have the zealous attention of my advisers. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives—

I acknowledge with pleasure the provisions you have made for the public service, and it will be the care of my advisers to administer them with the utmost economy consistent with efficiency. Honorable Legislative Councillors, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives—

This session will be memorable for the decisive step which has been taken in the direction of abolishing the form of Provincial Government in the North Island. The opinion of the House of Representatives has been expressed by the large majority which voted in favor of the resolutions, whilst the debates in the Legislative Council have left no room to doubt that that Chamber is also favorable to the proposed policy. For some years past there has grown up a belief that the provincial system in this Island does not really afford that amount of local government which the people desire. The decision arrived at is memorable also for the desire which the Legislature manifests that the land fund of the colony should be applied to suitable purposes, and, as far as possible, should be localised. That decision must effectually do away with apprehensions in any part of the country that a change in the provincial system would mean the absorption of the land fund, in opposition to the opinions upon the subject which have been confirmed during a long course of years, I hope the Provincial Governments in the North Island, loyally recognising the decision of the House of Representatives, will during the recess exert themselves to the utmost to so manage the affairs of their provinces as to enable the projected change to be effected next year with the least possible inconvenience. lam glad to be able to continue to remind you of the increasing prosperity of the colony. I hope the success which has attended your past efforts will, under the blessing of Divine Providence, continue to make itself manifest in the future ; and that you will live to see the result, in New Zealand becoming the home of a large, prosperous, and contented population,