Parliament.

Manawatu Herald, 22 June 1895, Page 2

Parliament.

Parliament was opened on Thursday afternoon by the Governor with the usual ceremonial.

The Speech referred to His Excellency's trip to the Auckland Islands ; to the passing away of the depression ; to the satisfactory state of the finances ; to the trouble with the natives, which it is proposed to guard against any further disturbance or obstruction in that part of the Colony, have decided to insure, by pushing roads through the length and breadth of the Uriwera Country, that in future it shall lie at peace and open to all.

As to the seizure of the Midland Eailway the Speech say 3 : — This step was taken in accordance with law, and under the best advice to be obtained. The opened portion of the Midland Railway is now being worked by the Government, and authority will be asked to extend it. The cost of such extension the Company will be requested to refund.

At the Postal Conference at Hobart new cable rates were fixed, under which New Zealand will save £3000 a year. In London the Treasurer has obtained for the Colony amended terms with the Bank of England, whereby the Colony will benefit to the extent of £3000 per annum.

With the view of opening fresh markets for our products, my Ministers have provisionally arranged reciprocal treaties with Canada and South Australia. These agreements will be submitted to you, and you will be asked to ratify them.

Mention is made of Mr Beeves' visit to Australia and that an experienced officer has been despatched to Australia to make a more elaborate survey of the village settlements there. On his return his report will be laid before you.

The settlement of the waste lands of the Crown under the general land laws of the Colony has continued to go on satisfactorily during the past year.

Measures have been taken so that betore next year the whole of our forces will be armed with the MartiniHenry rifle.

The time has, in my opinion, arrived for increasing the number of my Ministers.

For the third year in succession you will be asked to pass a Bill extending to local bodies the right of levying rates upon land values.

A Pair Rent Bill will be introduced, and also a measure to effect needful amendments in the Land for Settlements Act. You will be asked to deal with the electoral law, and to assent to a change designed to prevent too frequent and inconvenient changes of the boundaries of electorates.

A measure, which it is hoped will reduce the number of our too numerous looal councils, while at the same time concentrating their functions

and strengthening their financial position, will shortly be laid before I trust that y6u will this session see your way to readjust the Customs tariff. An exhaustive report prepaid by the Commissioners will be submitted to you.

Full and fair opportunity will be afforded you for discussing the vexed and interesting question of licensing reform.

Bills have been prepared designed lo check excessive rates of usury, and to protect and preserve for the families of working settlers the homes which they have made their own*

Measures are ready for your consideration dealing with the relations of masters and apprentices, with public tenders and contracts, and with the restriction of the influx of race-aliens and certain persons. You will be invited to pass Bills dealing with State-school teachers and mat* ters connected with secendary education, and also to amend the law concerning juries.