THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1747, 25 September 1879, Page 2

THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

SECOND EDITION

The following is the speech of hi* Excellency the Governor, delivered this afternoon : Honourable Legislative Counoillobs and Gentlemen of the House of Rbpbesentatives— In opening this, the seventh Parliament of New Zealand, I am sure you wi'l unite with me ; n an earnest hope that the new Parliament may be distinguished for the enactment of such measures as shall be most conducive towards promoting the happiness and welfare of the people. We have reached what is, perhaps, as yet the most important epoch is the history of the colony, and the future will veiy much depend upon the impress which may be stamped upon it by the action of this Parliament. It is matter for congratulation that, notwithstanding the severe monetaiy pressure and commercial gloom wbich have for some time past prevailed through the world, the position of this colony is thoroughly sound. In accordance with constitutional usage I recently allowed an appeal to the electors of the colony, and they have availed themselves of the opportunity to make manifest their wishes with regard to measures of groat importance which it was proposed should be enacted as part of the permanent constitutional law of the colony. The elections having been completed, I have, at the earliest possible period, called you together to avail myself of your advice and assistance in considering the measures and in carrying on the necessary legislation of the country. My responsible advisers, following up the line of policy which was indicated during the last session of the late Parliament, have prepared measures giving effect to the views which were then made known to the country. Amongst those there will be submitted to you a Bill to amend the law relating to electors qualified to vote at the election of members of the House of Representatives. On this measure the broad principle is adopted that every man who pays taxes, and is otherwise affected by legislation, has a right to representation. A Bill which will also claim your consideration is one which proposes to reduce the longest period for which the House of Representatives can sit from five to three years. This enactment will render each member more directly accountable to his constituents than he at present is, and will secure to the electors the power of returning members so frequently to the House of Representatives that public opinion, which often in young countries takes a new direction from the rapidly-vary-ing circumstances of such communities will be fairly represented in every phase which that opinion [may assume. But these will be of comparatively little value unless the constituencies are so arranged that, in as far as practicable, population in each electoral district respectively shall be duly represented. This right was assured to the people of New Zealand by the British Parliament in the Act which originally gave them a representative constitution. The measure on tb : s subject which is to be submitted to you will substantially secure a return and an adherence for the future to that important principle of the Constitution Act. These three measures are, in the opinion of my advisers, so equitable in themselves, and so accordant with the spirit of modern times, that should they become law, there is, the Government believes, every prospect that a feeling of general contentment would be permanently established in the colony. The power of legislation would then largely rest in the hands of the people of Now Zealand, and it is to be hoped that they! wiU always maintain within its limits an equitable system of taxation, a j ust administration of public lauds, and a sound system of local Self-Government. The alterations which will be produced in the Constitution Act by the proposed measures will be but slight, whilst they are evidently in accord with the popular wish. A Bill will bo submitted for your consideration to suspend plurality of voting in case of elections of local governing bodies, whilst those bodies are subsidised out of the general revenue of the colony. Measures will also be submitted to you wbich will enable those desiring to occupy small farms on rural allotments to obtain possession of lands much more readily, and at a smaller cost than they can be obtained under the present system. Gentlemen of tub House op RefbbSENTATIVES.

The estimates will be laid before you, accompanied by financial measures calculated, in the opinion of my Government, to promote the interests of the colony, and to maintain its credit. A very general desiro appears to exist that consideration Bhould bo given to the best means of promoting and encouraging manufactures and local industries in this colony. With a view to give effect to this desire, you may probably think it desirable to appoint a Select Committee to enquire into and report upon the Bubject. The public works in progress continue to be vigorously prosecuted, and you will be asked to make provision for the further prosecution of those works which have already been authorised by Parliament. In pursuance of the intention of the Legislature in the session of 1878, considerable pains have been taken by the Public Works Department to ascertain the best route for connecting by rail the East and West Coasts of the northern portion of the Middle Island, and also the best route from Amberley to Cook's Straits. As these are works of great magnitude and importance, and must involve a very large expenditure of public money, it U deemed prudent in order to take advantage of every possible means of ascertaining the best routes, that the relative merits of the various lines should be carefully considered. With that view you will be asked to [submit the whole question to a full and exhaustive examination and inquuy by a Select Committee. Hosohabie Legislative Cotjncilloks and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.

A measure will bo laid beforo you.by which lands,-the property of the Natives, not purchased by the Government for the public, will henceforth be sold in small blocks in the open market on such terms as may be agreed upon with tho proprietors. My advisers-are of opinion that, by the adoption of this system, great advantages will be secured to-the whole European population of New Zealand, whilst the Natives will have the satisfaction of receiving the full value of their estates, and will no longer bo subject to those importunities and temptations to indue* them to part with their lands which have hitherto proved a fertile source of misunderstanding and of ovil to the two races. Tho assurance which I was onabled to give to the members of Parliament at the last session in regard to tho peaceful and loyal notion of the Native people generally, hs,» been borne out by the

results. No further development has token place of the fanatical movements on the West Coast, and the tribes concerned appear to be quietly awaiting the action of Parliament and of the ordin rr Oourle of law. Steps are being taken for the' holding of a fall enqniry into the existence and extent of the alleged unfulfilled promises in regard to lands. Two inter-tribal disturbances, arising out of disputed claims to lands, have occurred, in one instance attended with loss of life. The necessary measures are being taken to vindicate the law. A Bill will be submitted for your consideration to regulate the immigration of Chinese into the colony. A valuable interim report of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the subject of higher education has been received and laid before the Houses. When the final report has been made, no delay shall take place in laying it before you, and in you the measures which the Q-overnment may recommend for adoption on the whole subject, which is one of paramount importance to educational interests in the colony. Various other measures will be laid, before you during the session. On each of these I am confident you will bestow your c ireful attention, being yourselves anxious in all respects to promote the interests of this colony, the destinies of which Providence has in so large a measure entrusted |to your charge. In all your efforts to attain this end you may rely on receiving my ready and earnest co-operation. I sincerely trust that a spirit of wisdom and. sound judgment may animate each branch of the Legislature.