GOVERNORS SPEECH.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 53, 13 October 1887, Page 2

GOVERNORS SPEECH.

The first session o£ the Tenth Parliament of New Zealand was this day opened by the Governor, when his Excellency made the following speech ■. —

Hon, Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,—

I have great pleasure in meeting you in Parliament assembled* It affords me much gratification tb be able to announce to you that the ceremonies on the occasion of the 50th year of her most gracious Majesty’s reign were celebrated with splendour unsurpassed in the annals of ,our country, and evoked, the most cordial feeling of royalty, enthusiasm, and public reverence and respect in a’.l parts of Her Majesty’s dominions. The Imperial Conference held in London to discuss subjects relating to the prosperity-, advancement, and protection pf all interests affecting Her Majesty’s colonial possessions concluded its session on May 9th last. The results of its deliberations are regarded by the Imperial authorities and by the colonial representatives as being of a satisfactory nature* The most important part of the agreement is the determination to provide fdr the more efficient defence of Her Majesty’s distant possessions against external works. Papers relating to the subject will be laid before you. In its results the general election just concluded points to a firm resolve on the part of the people of New Zealand to ensure effective and substantial retrenchment in the cost of public service* 2dy Ministers feel it is their first duty, and it is their intention to propose to Parliament large reductions in the public expenditure of the colony. These reductions will be made in the manner least calculated to produce inoanVenfence and hardship; To the subject of the land adhiinistration my Ministers Attach great importance, and you may feel assured that they will make increasing efforts to secure the location of a prosperous class of settlers upon the land of the colony. It has been well said that New Zealand stands unrivalled among British possessions as a field for settlement, and the aim of ail, of whatever political creed, should be to promote establishment of a numerous and prosperous agricultural comiriunity, whose industry cannot fad td aid materially in the progress of the colony. As a first step; and as soon as practicable, proposals will ba submitted to you to refider the land system less complicated, and to make the lands of the colony more easy of acquirement in small holdings, and upon such tenure as selectors may prefer. My Ministers also recognise the difficulties under which Some small holders of from _ the Crowh are struggling, and they will consider v?hat can be donb to afford them reasonable relief. With regard to our railways it is the opinion of many competent to judge that the system under which the railways are worked is unsatisfactory, and it is believed that judicious changes can be made whereby public convenience may ba more consulted and a better revenue obtained, My Minktera re« cognise that alterations in the tariff are required to remove anomalies which have been brought into existence by altered oon» artions of thingy. They were anxious to have laid before you proposals for a re-ad-juatment of duties, but until you give your opinion upon their measures for effecting retrenchment, in the Public Service they feel tiiat alterations of a thorough and satisfactory nature cannot be made. They will, however, during the coming recess, give the that careful consideration and will bring before you measures dealing with this important subject. As the recess will necessarily be a short one the time lost will, in the opinion of my Ministers, be more than compensated by the subject being dealt with deliberately and thoroughly. My Ministers have under consideration the necessity of amending the laws relating to Native Lands, and it will probably be necessary during the present session to pass some measure of a temporary character to allay the feeling of dissatisfaction which exists. After ascertaining during the recess the views and wishes of the Native people, and after weighing the subject carefully in all its bearings, measures will be submitted for your consideration.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : The estimates of Revenue and Expenditure will show in detail the reductirns to which I have already referred. I regret to say that at the present time our principal source of revenue, the Customs, shows no signs of improvement, bat my advisers trust that by limiting the public expenditure it will be possible to avoid placing further burdens upon the people. Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : This the second session of the year, being necessarily held at an inconvenient period, and under extraordinary circumstances. It is proposed to submit for your consideration only such measures as may be urgently required. Negotiations relative to the construction of the Midland Railway are still pending and you will be required to express your opinion upon certain important points which remain to be settled. Conscientiously with their duty to the colony my Ministers will use every effort to enab’e Parliament to arrive at a fair and reasonable solution of existing difficulties in connection with this important work. My Government view with satisfaction the strong feeling manifested by the people cf the colony generally in favor of our educational system and desire to convey an assurance that whilst the expense will be curtailed, whenever practicable, no step will be taken by them which would have the effect of impairing its efficiency. I commend to your attention the important questions that will be brought before you, and I hope that under the blessing of God your labours may prove of great service to the colony.