OPENING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 126, 1 June 1869, Page 2

OPENING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(By Electric Telegraph.) Wellington, June 1. Parliament was opened this afternoon at two o'clock, by the Hon. Majors Richardson and Richmond, who acted as Cotnmissio ners, in the absence of the Governor. The following was the speech: — The fulfilment of a promise to that effect given last session, no less than the disturbed state of the country require that I should have recourse to your advice and assistance earlier than usual this year. That assistance you will, no doubt, freely give, for you will recognise that the colony can no longer endure those evils under which, with but temporary intermission, it has long suffered from the determined hostility of the turbulent portions of the native race. Since the close of last session, that hostility has • displayed itself in an aggravated form. Murders and other atrocities entirely unprovoked, have been committed in cold blood on unarmed persons, and another missionary, whose life had been devoted to their service, has fallen a victim. Neither age, sex, nor race have been spared. Every means at the disposal of the colony have been employed in prosecuting the war thus forced upon us and which had to be encountered on both sides of the North Island at the same time. Large numbers of men have been raised, trained, and engaged in active operation in the field, and defensive works have been erected for the protection of places exposed to the attacks of the enemy. It -will he your duty to consider howthe efforts hit her to made may be sustained and strengthened. The thauks of the colony are due to Colonel Whitmore and the officers and men of the colonial forces, both European and native, for the conspicuous courage with which they have encountered the enemy wherever he has 'presented himself, and the indomitable zeal and energy with which they have been tracked and dispersed his retreating force 3. The arduous and harassing duties, in the course of which they have penetrated the forests and inhospitable wilds hitherto unvisited by Europeans, and inaccessible to ordinary means of transport, and the difficulties they have surmounted are without parallel in the military history of this country. No troops could have displayed more gallant spirit, and no officers could have conducted a campaign with more enterprise and skilled prudence. The great difficulty of the country must be grappled with, and a permanent remedy applied to a state of things which is paralysing industry, and in every way restricting the progress and settlement of the country, and tending to disaster which, spreading far beyond the scenes of conflict, is felt by all sections of the community throughout New Zealand. Such a policy demands a highly organise.l force, embodied for definite periods, and established in the best strategical positions that can be occupied for perfecting communication. Copies of correspondence between the Governor and the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with reference to the retention of the Imperial troops in New Zealand, and especially to the resolution passed by both Houses last session, will be laid before you. The question cannot be further pressed by the Legislature with any dignity, self respect, or beneficial result to the people of New Zealand. A Bill of a temporary character will he submitted to you propounding summary means for dealing with persons taken in arms against the Queen, who may have been concerned in exceptional barbarities on the part of the rebels. The establishment of permanent peace will require an exceptional expenditure beyond what is advisable to levy in the shape of annual revenue,"and a portion should be provided by loan, Application for a guarantee of such loan has been made to the British Government. You will probably believe that the condition of the country requires a renewal of such application, and justifies the hope that the last • prayer of the colony to the mother country will not be rejected. The Estimates of Expenditure for the ensuing financial year will be laid before you. While providing for the efficiency of the services, they exhibit, with'the exception of requirements of defence purpose?, a reduction in the expenditure of the country. The results of the operations under the consolidated loan Act up to the most recent date will be laid before you. You will gladly recognise that owing to the abie manner in which the operations have been conducted, a considerable diminution in the annual charges on the revenue has been effected. The electric telegraph is in course of extension to Wanganui on one side, and towards Taupo and Auckland on the other. The cessation of active warfare will be immediately followed by the completion of the latter line to the capital of the Northern Goldfields. These singularly rich fields continue to increase in importance, and reliable authorities prognosticate the extension of discoveries of like deposits throughout many parts of the North Island, which will give profitable employment to a large population. The bearing this will have on the early pacification and security of the country is important. The approaching termination, of the present Parliament calls for legislation and the . readjustment of the representation of the people in conformity with the altered condition of several districts. You will be invited to consider a measure for making undevised real estate distributable amongst next of kin, iv the same manner as „ personal property,., Although the native question will largely engage syoiiir 'attention, other matters of public interest and importance will doubtless not be neglected. In the Bpecial^eircumstances under: ; you are ;iigieD^^d I pray that the spirit of •wisdoma^j^rvso guide yorir counsels as to promote the^fwelfefe of the people of New Zealand. •■-".■•-