The Speech.

Manawatu Herald, 23 June 1894, Page 3

The Speech.

Yesterday afternoon -His Excellency the Governor attended Parliament and delivered the usual speech, the substance of which was a3 follows !— - He mentioned his trip to the Hervey Group, and his observations led him to conclude that a fair opening exists there for developing a useful trade with New Zealand. He looked upon it as so clearly the destiny of New Zealand to play a leading part in Polynesia, that his advisers confidently expect the concurrence of Parliament in the suggestions that will be made concerning Samoa. Once more the provision made, last year for carrying on the Public .Service "has proved more than sufficient. The accounts will show both a gross and a nett surplus of revenue over expenditure, of a most solid and gratifying, kind. His Advisers believe that the lime has arrived for the State to aid private enterprise, and avail itself of the vast supplies ol English capital. A measure will be infrrotluccd for Urn purpose. Parliament will be asked to finish the work left unfinished by the last Parliament in making the Native Land Lawa simpler, and the methods of acquiring Native land easier and speedier. In the opinion of Ministers the time has come when private dealing in Native lands should entirely cease, and that every title granted for such land should bs given directly from the Government under the Land Transfer Act. Hand in hand with the steady acquisition of Native land must go the" purchase of private lands for closer settlement. To this end the Land for Settlements Bill rejected last year will again be brought forward with certain extensions and improvements. Measures will be proposed to enable the Agricultural Department effectually to help and regulate the rapidly growing dairy industry by a system of grading and cool storage, and other I3ills intended to be of practical use to farmers and stock-owners. A Bi 1 will be introduced in aid of at* taching to the soil the miners now spread over the gold bearing oountry. A Bill will be brought in to consolidate and amend the licensing law and simplify the procedure at the local option polls. New Standing Orders, containingjhighly important changes, will be submitted. Measures will be submitted to you designed to further simplify the administra tion of justice and to consolidate the law on various subjects. The important principle of levying rates upon land values only will again be urged, and a Hill intended to prevent loans at usurious rates of interest will be presented i for consideration.