THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 224, 19 August 1884, Page 3

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

m The Governor's speech arrived just as we were preparing to go to press. Its length precludes its publication m this issue. We give the following condensed digest of its contents. It is considered undesirable to deal with questions of abstract policy further than imperatively necessary, but attention primarily to be given to the material interests of the colony, especially the improvement of industrial resources, such as mining, land settlement, local industries. Public works, must be constructed m a manner the roverse of slow and fragmentary, but borrowing must be restricted within reasonable limits. The Otago Central line is one work that requires vigorous prosecution, and the Napier- ! Palmerston link should receive early attention. Stress is laid upon the line to connect the East and West Coast of the Middle Island. The central railway (North Island) to be hastened to a conclusion with the utmost possible expedition, the route to be decided by a select committee. Blocks of Native land on railway routes, to be set apart for settlement by families m limited areas to each. Facilities bo be offered the Natives to dispose of their lands, on which subject special legislation will be brought forward next session. Local bodiea to be given larger duties and an assured income. Retrenchment to be carried out m departmental expenditure. The Property Tax will be repealed, for a Land Tax, deducting improvements to be localized m order to strengthen local Government. Railway Boards of Management m the Middle Island and Auckland, to be provided, subject to Parliament', ary control over the tariff. The South Sea Island trade to be fostered. The Married Women's Property Bill to be improved upon ; the Life Insurance Department lo be placed under better management, and local boards, elected by policy-holders, provided for, [For remainder of reading matter see /Supplement]

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