GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Kumara Times, Issue 2974, 14 May 1886, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[united press association.]

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT,

Wellington, May 10. The third session of the ninth Parliament of New Zealand was opened this afternoon by his Excellency the Governor. Sir William Jervois was accompanied by Major Jervois, Private Secretary, and Captain Medley, A.D.C. Captain Tukuahina and nine officers of the Japanese warship were also present, besides Sir George Whitniove, Colonel Butts, and the Danish, Portuguese and French Consuls. Notwithstanding the pouring rain, there was a fair attendance of the public, especially ladies. The Wellington Navala and Garrison Band farmed the guard of honor, and the D Battery fired the salute. The Permanent Artillery also paraded at the Parliament Buildings. Fifteen Legislative Councillors were present when his Excellency entered, and at the summons of the clerk, thirty-five members of the Lower House put in an appearance to hear the Speech. The Ministers present were—the Premier, the. Hons. Larnach, Buckley, Ballance, and Tole. Sir Julius Vogel was present in the Lower House, but did not present himself before the Governor. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Speaker of the Counci' took the chair at five minutes to two, and two minutes after that hour His Excellency entered the Chamber and read the Speech as follows : Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Pvepresentatives. It affords me much pleasure to meet, yon thus early in Parliament assembled. The year which is now passing will be memorable throughout the British dominions as that on which our oracious Sovereign enters on the 50th year j i>f her reign. You will, I feel assured, desire to pruve that the subjects of this 'he most distant portion of her Maji'sty's possessions share equally with her Majesty's subjects in other parts of the world the highest appreciation of the great result of her long and beneficent reign. You will be asked to consider the most suitable way of showing, on behalf of the people of New Zealand, their affection and duty to the person of the Sovereign, their love and loyalty to the Crown, their sense of gratification at belonging to a realm enjoying a sway so benignant, and their desire to see the bonds which unite every portion of her Majesty's vast empire confirmed and strengthened. It is particularly appropriate to such a yenr that I am able to announce to jgu that in the opinion of my Ministers there has never been a time when the relations between her Majesty's European and Maori subjects have been of so friendly a character. The Maoris are evincing an intelligent, interest in colonising operations and of a cordial recognition of the laws of the colony. They show this excellent disposition by the reidiness with which they are seekin" Crown titles for laroe areas of country, through which the Northern Trunk Railway will and by their willingness to part with laud t 9 ske

Government for the purposes of settlement along that line of railway. Negotiations for such land, are, in the opinion of my advisers, proceeding satisfactorily, and with due regatd to the necessity of a sufficient quantity being retained by the Maoris for thenown use.

You will ho asked to amend the laws relating to the disposal of Native Lands in the direction which appears to my Ministers best adapted to do justice to the Maori only, and to hasten the occupation and settlement of the country.

Public works have been proceeded with as rapidly as the means placed at the disposal of the Government permitted.

Proposals will be laid before you fincon turning railways and other' public works on a scale consistent with the circumstances of the colony, and in the manner most calculated to secure sound economical results.

New Zealand is suffering from the depression that appears to prevail throughout the world, but which is affecting this colony much less than other countries, because of its great resources. My advisers are of opinion that this depression, rather tending to discourage the energies of the people, should lead them to additional exertions, and that, concurrently with the progress of railways, abundant opportunity should be offered to settlers to occupy and cultivate land in farms of reasonable size.. Farmers from other countries will he attracted to the colony and materially aid its progress. In calling your attention to the gracious compliment which her Majestp paid to all the colonies and India by opening the Exhibition devoted to their products and to the gratitude of the colonists and India to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales for the untiring exertions which have led to the success of the Exhibition, I aa\ glad to be able to say that Ministers have used their utmost endeavours to secure for this colony an adequate representation. Gentlemen op the House op Representatives. The estimates of revenue and expenditure for the current year will be laid before you. My advisers fully recognise the importance of keeping dow°n the expenditure to the lowest limit consistent with meeting the requirements of the public service and the wants of the country. The finances of the colony are in a sound condition, and gratifying progress is being made with the conversion of tin? loans. The San Francisco Mail Service has i>een reestablished at a cost within the authority which you gave by resolution. It is gratifying that the contract should have been taken by a New Zealand company on behalf of itself and a powerful American steamship organisation. It is equally gratifying that New South Wales joins in the arrangement, and that assistance is received from the Government of the United Spates. Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of tiie House of Representatives. Whilst, giving attention to the undertakings which it is desirable the colony >houhl carry our, it is not to be forgotten that the woiks constituted, by ocal bodies are of essential importance owards promoting and extending the settlement of the lands.

A measure will be placed before you dealing with the finance of the local I'odies, and enlarging their power of direct!}' managing their own affairs. My Ministers view with satisfaction the disposition which is being.shown to develop the local resources of the colony, including those of the raiues the forests, and the fisheries. It is of Infinite importance to recognise and rake advantage of (he natural wea'th of New Zealand, and to encourage the prosecution of industries of a varied character. My advisers place great faith in the operation of a policy which embraces the points of prosecuting local industries, thug affording abundant occupation to the population promoting settlement by liberal land laws, constructing railways with a view to open the country, aiding the progress of settlement and speedily securing satisfactory economical results, placing local bodies in a position to open roacfs and do other useful work, giving the mining population liberal facilities, and the establishing of friendly relations with the Maoris. The arrangement for the construction of the Midland Railway under authority conceded by Parliament is, in the opinion of my advisers, a matter of hearty ivjoicinij. Some points of a not material nature will have to be submitted for the ratification of Parliament. ~! °J. U) » v has

been constantly directed to questions relating to the Soatli Sea Islands. Whilst recognising the important interest New Zealand has in these matters they have carefully avoided exceeding the authority with which Parliament has endowed them. Papers on the subject will be presented. Bills will be submitted to you to consolidate the laws relating to Crimes, to Municipalities, to Volunteers, and to Mines; to establish a Parcels Post system, and to amend the Charitable Aid and Hospitals Act. I commend to your attention the business that will come before you, and earnestly hope that your labours will, under the blessing of God, be attended with good to the colony. Notices of motion were given for the appointment of the usual sessional committees.

Mr Stout moved that the House adjourn till Tuesday next, at 2-30 p.m., ■which was agreed to. The House rose at 2.40 p.m.