PARLIAMENTARY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1607, 1 September 1874, Page 342

PARLIAMENTARY.

PROROGATION of PARLIAMENT THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.] Wellington, 31st August. Eighteen members of the Lower House were present at the Prorogation of the Assembly—no visitors, and but very few members of the Lords. Mr T. Russell intends going to Sydney to re-arrange the mail contract. Mr Webster inquired in what capacity ? whether as agent to the Government or minister ? Mr Vogel said that he proceeded at the request of the meht. Mr Harrison moved that the Government during the recess should take the necessary steps to establish an industrial exhibition next year. Mr Vogel replied that all such enterprises should be inaugurated by Government. O'Neill wanted a new bill of health to be prepared during the recess. Parliament was prorogued to Ist December, 1874. His Excellency delivered the following speech:— Honorable Legislative Councillors anu Gentlemen of the House of Representatives— I have to thank you for the attention which you have paid to the discharge of your onerous duties during this short but very arduous session which I am now about to terminate. As this is the last occasion upon which I shall have the honor of addressing you from this place, I desire to assure you that in resigning the high office which I have held but for so short a term, I am deeply sensible of the constant courtesy and consideration which has been shown me by all with whom I have been" brought into contact, whether in official or private relations, that in returning to my 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 my privilege than my duty to serve its interests in so far as my humble means and opportunities may enable me. I anticipate great benefit will result to the Colony from the State Forests Act which you have passed, providing, as it does, for setting apart forests, which will not only be of use in maintaining future industries of the Colony, but which may be also expected to have beneficial effects on the climate, and upon the productiveness of its lands. 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 remedying those 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 future occasion. The attention of my advisers will be earnestly given to further continuing public works, promoting immigration, the re-establishment of Californian mail service in conjunction with New South Wales, and giving effect to 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 the Chamber is also favorable to the proposed policy. For some years past there lias 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 that as far as possible it should be localized. That decision must effectually do away with every apprehension in any part of the country, that any change in the Provincial system would mean absorption of land fund, in opposition to opinions expressed upon the subject which have been confirmed during a long course of years. I hope that the Provincial Government of the North Island, while loyally recognizing the decision of the House of Representatives, will, during the recess, exert themselves to the utmost to so manage the affairs of the provinces as shall enable the projected change to be effected next year with the least possible inconvenience. I am glad to be able to continue to remind you of the increasing prosperity of the Colony, and I hope "that the success which lias at-,

tended 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.'