HON. GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 12, 12 June 1885, Page 2

HON. GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

For some time during the recess considerable approheusion existed of an outbreak of war with Russia. My Ministers therefore felt it necesstry to make immediate and strenuous efforts to place tha Colony m a stato of defence. With this object considerable expense has been incunvd to which you will no doubt readily assent. The main ports are hein£ put m a stato to resist attacks, and it will bo proposed to you to sanction further expenditure to render the dffeuce of the Colony still more complete. You will be invited to ex press your views on the Question both of naval and land defences. There has been throughout tho Colony a desire to improve the systsm of local government. My Ministers consider that any reform attempt«d-«houid interfere as little as possible with existing institutions, so ions *■ the objects sought can be attaiend. They hare prepared for yo«r consideration various Bills making provision for granting local bodies larger powers with a more assured local finance, thus enabling them to perform their important functions without continually referring to the Central Government or to Parliament for aid and assistance. The attention of my Ministers has beea much directed to the development of the great mineral wealth of the colony. The interest and enthusiasm awakened m the miners by the lectnres recently delivered on chemistry and mineralogy, and their desire for the permanent estalishment of Schools of Mines demonstrate the confidence these enterprising settlers have m their pursuits. You will be asked to give further f acilties to the mining industry, and there are other industries which require your careful attention. The forests of the colony if properly utilised would not only give useful employment to many colonists but their value would hp greatly enhanced. Much, valuable timber is now being recklessly destroyed, ami it will bo for you to consider whether for economic as woll as climatic roaaona, greater efforts should not bo made to conserve and uti-

lize the forest lauds of the Crown. A Bill on the subject has been prepared and will be submitted to you. The fisheries though known to be valuable, have hitherto received very little notice. Proposals to found fishing settlement* to aid m tho development of fishing industries will be laid before you, and I hare no doubt they will receive your careful consideration. The relations of New Zealand to the Australian Colonies and the South Sea Islands have occupied the attention of Ministers during the recess. My Ministers considered it their duty to oppose the Federal Council Bill m the shape it was brought before Imperial Parliament, until you ojould have an opportunity of expressing your views on the subject. The new matt service to the South Sea Islands which 70a authorised, will, it is hopod, strengthen the commercial relations, and increase the trade between Hume and N«v Zealand. Correspondence with the Right Hon. the Secretary of Stat* for | the Colonies, with;t!u> premiers of the ; Australian oolonies, nn.t with the King !of Samoa, will be laid before you. Dispensing aid to the poor and siok has proved, especially since the abolition c/ the provinces, a difficult task. My Mintt- | ters think that such aid cannot be effectively administered by Central Go. I vernment, but should be locally controlled, A Bill with this object will be sub. mitted to you. I commend to toot careful consideration Bills which will be brought before you for various porpoawe. Atnohgst others for consolidating the land laws, for limiting the liability of Insurance Companies' shareholders,; for codifying the criminal law, for cousolii dating the various Municipal Corporations Acts, the Native Land Laws, and ths Laud Trannfer Acts, and for establishing a system of parcels pott and for tte issue of postal notes. I earnestly hop* that with the blessing of God you may b« enabled t» discharge your arduous duties with xood effect.