VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 657, 28 July 1876, Page 4

VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT.

The following is his Excellency’s speech on opening the Victorian Parliament : “ Mr President and Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, Mr Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Legislative Assembly,—! have called you together at the earliest opportunity after your recent protracted sittings, for the purpose of obtaining your advice and assistance. The loan authorised by Parliament last session has been placed in the hands of the contracting banks for negotiation in the London market. A copy of the agreement made with the contracting banks will be presented to you, I am glad to be in a position to inform you that your liberality in providing for the erection or etate school buildings has enabled my advisers to make arrangements for the immediate erection of those most urgently required, and that in a short period ample school accommodation will be provided throughout Victoria. Of the various lines of railway in course of construction, it is expected that sixty-five miles will be open before the end of the present year, 200 miles more In March next, and the remainder before December, 1877. The opening of these lines will make a total of 956 miles of railway available for traffic in Victoria. Various proposals have been submitted to the Government for the construction of a duplicate telegraph cable between this continent and the lines connected with England. When fuller information is obtained it is the intention of my advisers to invite a conference of the representatives of the different Australasian colonies to deal with the subject. Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Legislative Assembly—l am glad to inform you that the estimate of revenue for the financial year just closed has been fully realised, and that the finances of the country are now in a satisfactory condition. The estimates for the present year will be laid before you without delay. Whilst a strict economy has been observed in their preparation, adequate provision has been made for the requirements of the public service. Mr President and Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council —Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Legislative Assembly,— It is nearly eighteen years since the present Electoral Act was passed, and during that period the population of Victoria has increased from 600,000 to 825,000 persons. Large tracts of public territory formerly occupied for pastoral purposes only have now become settled with thriving communities, which have not their due share of representation in Parliament, To secure a full representation of the people, and of the various interests which have grown up with the progress of settlement, it is essential that a re-adjustment should be made of the electoral districts. It is the intention of my advisers to submit for your consideration a measure dealing with this important subject, and in contemplation of this reform such measures only will be submitted as are immediately required. The imperfect state of the law relating! to education has hitherto impeded the efforts made to enforce the compulsory clauses of the Act, and a measure to amend it in this respect will be laid before you. Our railways have become of such magnitude that their efficient and economical working is now a question of serious importance. My advisers have had under their consideration a change in the existing system of management, which it is believed will prove of great public advantage. A HU to effect this object will be laid before you. My advisers have investigated the numerous claims for railway extension which have been pressed upon them, and have prepared a measure for your consideration authorising the construction of a number of lines which they believe will, in addition to increasing the means of communication, afford a reasonable prospect of paying a fair return upon the outlay, A measure to regulate mining on private property for gold and silver is most urgently required, and as both Houses have concurred in the necessity of dealing with this subject, my advisers hope that the bill which they propose to lay before you will receive your sanction. The necesssity for the efficient maintenance and improvement of the port of Melbourne demands prompt attention. Experience provts that the most effective means to accomplish these ends is to establish a harbor trust. _ A bill has been prepared with this object, and will be immediately placed before you. The abolition of tolls on our public highways after the 31st day of August next renders it desirable that provision should be made for the maintenance of main roads. A bill will accordingly be introduced for this purpose. The amendment of the laws relating to the sale of wines, beer, and spirits has become of pressing urgency, A bill has been prepared which it is believed will have the effect of removing many of the evils in connection with the trade ; and in view of the serious consequences arising from the defects in the present state of the law, I am sure this measure will receive your earnest consideration, A bill for effecting an important amendment in the present Land Act will be submitted for your consideration. Several measures of importance have been prepared, and will be presented to you for your consideration as the progress of public business will permit. Among these will bo bills for amending the law relating to coroners, and for making provision for the registration of trade marks, and the regulation of marine stores. I commend to your careful consideration these and such other measures as may be brought before you ; and I trust that your labors may, under the blessing of Divine Providence, conduce to the happiness and prosperity of the people.