PROROGATION SPEECH.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 287, 4 September 1874, Page 3

PROROGATION SPEECH.

"HONORABLK LEGISLATIVE CGUNCIL- ' lors'and Gentlemen of the House op Representatives,

" I have to thank you for the attention which you have paid to the discharge" of your onerous duties during the short but very arduous session which I am now afioutto terminate. 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 [ have held but for a short'time, I am deeply sensible of the constant courtesy and consideration which have been shown by all with whom I have been brought into contact, whether officially or in my private relations. In returning to my private station at home, I shall retain a deep interest in the welfare of this most promising community. 1 shall deem it not less a privilege than a duty to serve its interests in so far as my

humble means and opportunities may enable me. 1 anticipate great benefit 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 the future industries of the colony, but which may be expected to have a beneficial effect upon the climate and- upon the productiveness of its lands, providing as the Act does, the machinery for the establishment of State "Forests lam not disposed to regret the short delay in determination the actual position of forests. You have unmistakably 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 revenue 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 in remedying the 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 a future occasion. The attention of my advisers will be earnestly given to further coritin , - ing public-works, and promoting immigration, the re-establishment of the Califoraian mail packet service in conjunction with New South Wales, and the giving effect to provisions already agreed to for the establishment of cable communication with other parts of the world, will also have the zealous attention of my advisers. " Gen.tlemen op the H.otjse of Representatives,— " I acknowledge with pleasure the provisions you have made for the public service, and it will be the - care of my ad -' visers to administer them with the utmost economy consistent with efficiency.

" Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen op ■ the House of Representatives,— r

" This session will be memorable for the decisive step which has been taken in , the- direction of abolishing the form ofj Provincial ■ Government in, the North '' Island. The opinion of the House of ! Representatives has been expressed by a large majority, which voted in favor of the resolutions, whilst debates in the Legislative Council have left "no room to. doubt that that Chamber is also favorable to the proposed policy. For -some years past there has grown-up-a belief that the provincial system in this island -does- not really, afford that amount, of local, government which the people desire. Thedecis .ion arrived at is memorable also for the desire which the Legislature"' manifests • that the land fund of'th'e colony should be applied to suitable purposes, and as far as possible localised. That decision' must effectually do'away with apprehensions' in any part-of'the country that the change in the provincial,system would mean the absorption of the land- fund, in opposition to opinions - upon the s'ubject which have been confirmed during a long course of years. _ I hope the Provincial Governments of the North Island, in loyally recognising the decision of the House of Representatives, • will during the recess exert themselves to the utmost to so man•age the affairs of the provinces as to 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 hope the success which has -attended your past efforts will undev the blessing of Divine providence continne to make itself manifest in the future, and ■that-you-;wilLlive : tp"see the result in New Zealand becoming the home of a large, a | prosperous, and a contended population."