PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 568, 7 September 1869, Page 2

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.

The General Assembly was prorogued by his Excellency the Governor on Friday last, with the usual formalities. The following is the vice-regal closing speech: — •' Honorable Legislative Conncillora and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives — "The time of closing the present session of the General Assembly having arrived, I thank you for the earnest consideration you have given to the many important topics to which your attention has been directed. ' ' The safety of the Colony will, I hope, be effectually, provided, for by the measures taken to that end. " You have acted wisely in ; making . Parliamentary provision for the cost of an Imperial regiment, in taking steps to remove the grounds of misunderstanding that has arisen on the subject, and to restore those friendly relations that ' should ever exist between the: Colony and the Imperial Government. I cannot avoid .expressing, my satisfaction that General Chute has been able, in time, to detain the 18th Regiment. The presence of that regiment, and part of thesquadron of her Majesty's navy, at once affords protection, and exhibits to the insurgent natives symbols of the Queen's authority and the power of the great British Empire, of- which the Colony is an ■integral, part. . "Your efforts to organise, and render more efficient the Constabulary for the permanent protection of the ; Colony, cannot but contribute greatly to future tranquility, and will, it is hoped, reduce the heavy cost hitherto incurred on account of active military operations." " Gentlemen pf the Bouse of Represent tatives. . v « ' "I thank you for the supplies you

have granted for .the public service of the year, and they shall be administered with all due care and circumspection. Whilst you have wisely refrained at present from making any changes of a fundamental character in the financial system, the amendments effected by several measures passed, will tend to promote a better ad- _ ministration of finance, and secure greater economy in the public expenditure." ?' Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, Gentlemen of the House of Representatives— . "1 heartily congratulate yon on the wonderful progress of the Auckland gold fields, and heartily concur in the sense you have shown of their importance. I am confident that the restoration of national tranquility and an increased population are only required to secure a great and general extension of the gold fields in other parts of this auriferous country. Nothing will more promote peace than the immigration consequent ©n the development of the gold fields. " The yield of the precious metal and the growth and prosperity of the Colony, are reciprocal powers which act and re-act pn each other. Whilst you have shown yourselves sensible of the importance of developing the resources hidden within the earth, I am glad you have not neglected another obvious source of wealth, which is to be found on the surface in native flax, and have directed inquiries to \te made during the recess which may lead to the further advancement of the growing trade in this valuable material. " The absence during the session of any considerable number of petitions from the inhabitants of the outlying districts, suggesting changes in the constitutional machinery of Government, leads me to believe that excitement on that subject during last year, was only pf a superficial and ephemeral character, and that the dissatisfaction with the pxisting institutions which, at one time appeared to be wide-spread, is no longer felt. " ' •" I have already transmitted to the Secretary of State for the Colonies the resolutions of both Houses and Acts affirming th,e expediency of maintaining : an imperial regiment in the Colony, and fnaking provision for their cost. "I will do all in my power to assist the Commissioners whom you have determined to Bend to England. I will communicate with the Imperial Government : on the.subject by accrediting them to her Majesty's Ministers and impressing on ' . the attention of the latter the views of the ; Assembly. . '5 1 have' every hope that strengthened j^d countenanced by the aid of the Imperial Government, the Colony will, under the blessing of IJivine Providence, be restored to a condition of peace and prosperity ;: that settlers who Jiave bpen luoleste/l fyy rebels will regain possession (>f their jipmesteads, will successfully resume their industrial pursuits, and that < the insurrection will be finally and completely suppressed. ■ " I cannot conclude without recording {he satisfaction I have felt at the cordial welqqme which was awarded by the whole , Cojiiny to his H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, whose visit, though occurring at, a period of great depression, when the ftiirids of the colonists" were engrossed . , with events of serious import, evoked all those feelings of loyalty towards the ... and family of her Most Gracious Majesty which are everywhere entertained .and expressed throughout the British dominions.'.'.