OPENING OF PAELIAMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1708, 14 May 1886, Page 2

OPENING OF PAELIAMENT.

GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

The third session of the ninth Parliament of New Zealand, was thw day opened by the Governor, when his Excellency was Dleased to make the f ollowing speech : — .......

HONOURALE GENTLEMEN OF THE legislative council and gentlemen of THE HOtJSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. „...

It affor.is me much pleasure to meet you thus early m Parliament assembled. The year which is nowlpassing, will be memorable throughout the British dominions as that on which our Gracious Sovereign enters on the 50th year of her reign. You will, I feel assured, desire to prove that the subjects of this, th« most distant portion of Her Majesty's possessions, share equally with Her Majesty's subjects m other parts 'of the world, the highest appreciation of the great results of her long and beneficial reign. You will be asked to consider the most suitable way of showing, on behalf of the people of New Zealand, their affection and duty to the person of the Sovereign, their love and loyalty to the Grown, their sense of gratification at belonging to a realm, enjoying a sway so benignant, and their desire to see the bonds which unite every portion of Her Majesty's vast empire confirmed and strengthened. It is particularly appropriate to such a year that I am able to announce to you that m the opinion^ of my Ministers there has never been a time when 'the relations of Her Majesty's European and Maori subjects have been of so friendly a character. The Maoris are evincing an intelligent interest m colonizing operations, and a cordial recognition of the laws of the Colony. They show this excellent disposition by the readiness with which they are seeking Crown titles for large areas of country through which the Northern Trunk Railway will pass, and by their willingness to part with land to the Government for the purposes of settlement along that line ot railway. Negotiations for such lands are, m the opinion of my advisers, proceeding satisfactorily, and with due regard to the necessity of a sufficient area being retained by the Maoris, for their use. You will be asked to amend the laws relative to the disposal of Native lands m the direction which appears to my Ministers best adapted to do justice to the Maori owners and to hasten the occupation and settlement of the country. Public Works have been proceeded with as rapidly as the means placed at the disposal of the Government permitted, and proposals will be laid before you tor continuing railways and other public works On a scale consistent with the circumstances of the colony, and m the manner most calculated to secure sound economical results. New Zealand is suffering from the depression that appears to prevail throughout the world, but which is affecting this Colony much less than other countries because of its great resources. My advisers are of opinion that this depression rather than tending to discourage the energies ot the people, should lead them to additional exertions,

and that if concurrently with the progress of railways, abundant opportunity be offered to settlers to occupy and cultivate land in 'farms of reasonable size, farmers from other countries will be at- , tracted to the Colony and" materially aid' its progress. In calling :.y ; our' attention; to the gracious compliant which Her | Majesty paid to all the eolqhy^nd India by ooeningi the extybitjpn "devoted to their products, arfd W thte gratitude the Colonies and. Indi&;sW£,.to. ; .His Royal Highness the PrincaVo£ /Wales for the untiring exertions which, have led to the success of the Exhibition, " I am glad to be able to • say that' my Ministers' have used their utmost endeavors to secure for this Colony-ati adeqwaW .repres'entaT 1 tion. : : ■• ■■.--.■=■'"' ■, 7-;r. : }i" >'.-V-" > : : v"\; GENTLEMEN 0? TH?" fIOUBK • OF ■ REPBBThe estimates of revenue and expebf diture for the. current year will be laid l ' before you; My advisere fully recognise the importance of keeping down y the expenditure to the lowest^lirriil CQnstir! tent with meeting the requirements of the public service. and the, iyan^;'pf:thb: country. The finances of the Colony areliri a sonnd condition, and gratifviog; progress is being made with the conversion ot the loans. The; ' San ; 'Fran--. Cisco Mail Service haabeen re-^tapHsfe^d,; at a cost within the authority which you gave by resolution. It is gratifying /that the contract shpjaj.d' 'ha^tf bj&ti by a New Zealand cd«^aß^^o]n behalf of itself and a vppwepf Sf can Steamship OrganisatidfeTt^qpaily gratify ing that New South >Was& joins m the arrangement and that assistance is received from the Government of the United States.

HON. GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Whilst giving attention to the undertakings which it is desirable the colony should carry out, it is not to be forgotten that works constructed by local bodies are Df essential importance towards pro- . moting and extending the settlement of the land. A measure will be placed before you dealing with the finances of local bodies,and enhancing their power of directly managing their own affaire- My Ministers view with satisfaction the disposition which is being shown to develop the local resources of the colony, including those of mines, forests, and fisheries. It is of infinite importance to recognias and take advantage of the natural wealth of New Zealand, and encourage prosecution of industries of a varied character. My advisers place great faith m the operation of a policy which embraces the point of prosecuting local industries, and thus affording abundant occupation to the population, promoting settlement by liberal land Inws, constructing railways with view of opening the country, aiding the progress of settlement, and speedily securing satisfactory, economical results ; placing local bodies m position to open roads and do other useful ; work giving to mining population liberal facilities ; and the establishing of friendly relations with the Maoris. The arrangement for construction of Midland Bailway under authority conceded • by Parliament is m the opinioD of my advisers a matter of hearty rejoicing. Some points of a not material nature will have to be submitted for ratification of Parliament, The attention of my Ministers has been constantly directed. to questions relating to South "Sea Islands ; whilst recognising the important interest New Zealand has m these matters they have carefully avoided exceeding the authority with which Parliament has endowed them, Papers on the subject will be presented. Bills will be submitted to you to consolidate the- laws relative to crimes, to municipalities, to volunteers, and to mineß ; to establish a parcels post system ; and to amend the Charitable Aid . and Hospital Act, I commend to yo£ attention the business : that will come before you ; and earnestly hope that your labors will under the blessing of God be attended with good to the Colony.

At -the opening ceremony: His /Excellency the Governor was accompanied by Major Jervbis, Captain Meddley,- the Danish : and Portugese < Consuls, ! and eight of the officers of the Japanese- war ship Tshukuba. ! '

[The above items were published as a supplement to a portion of the Town Edition m our previous issue.]