OPENING OF THE NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 168, 16 July 1872, Page 2

OPENING OF THE NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

[bt electric telegraph.] The second session of the fifth Parliament of New Zealand was opened at Wellington, at two o'clock, this afternoon, by HisJ Excellency the Governor, who read, the following- speech ;--.

Honorarle Legislative Councilt,ohs, and Gkjstlemen op the House o_ Representatives ; —

The alarming illness of H. R. 11. the Prince of Wales produced in this colony, no lesi than in the other parts of the Empire, feelings of profound regret, and the subsequent intelligence of his recovery was hailed with universal rpjoicing. My advisers will submit to you addresses to Her Majesty in which you will be asked to express your gratitude for the preservation of the Empire from a great calamity, an (l ,youv sympathy with your Sovereign and the Royal Family.

I have to congratulate you upon the general tranquility which prevails ia the several native districts throughout New Zealand. The friendly disposition manifested by tribes hitherto disaffected shows that progress is being made towards a peaceful settlement of the native difficulty. I have lately made a tour through districts in the interior of this island not long since disturbed by rebellion, and I was everywhere treated by the natives with the greatest rsspecfc and hospitality, and received from them the strongest assurances of thc-ir desire to cultivate friendly ■ relations with the European colonists. I was much pleased to see the progress of the roads which are being constructed, to a great extent by Muori labor.

I also congratulate you on tho steady development and prosperous condition of the agricultural, mining, aud pastoral industries. Since the close of last session my Government has been engaged in giving effect to the legislative measures passed by you for the construction of railways. Contracts for sections of several line 3 have been entered into upon terms which I trust you will consider favorable. The surveys of other lines are approaching completion. Papers -will be laid before you which will inform you what steps have been taken towards establishing a continuous stream of immigration.

I am glad to be able to inform you that the operations of the Act which, three years since, the Legislature wisely passed for establishing, on colonial security, a system of Life Assurance and Annuities', continues to meet with marked success. The progress and development of tiiat system and the principles on which it is based, will, I am sure, materially tend to the social comfort and welfare, not only of those who directly share in it, but, indirectly, of the whole community.

Gentlemen or tub House or Representatives : —

Estimates will be laid before you framed with every regard for economy, consistent with efficient administration.

A very satisfactory symptom of that reviving prosperity of the colony, which I ventured last session to hope was not far distant, is to be found, I am happy to say, in the increased and increasing receipts of revenue.

Honorable Legislative Councillors, akd Gentlemen op the House of Representatives —

The occurrence ef a few cases of smallpox in the colony should remind you of the importance of sanitary laws. A bill will be submitted to you for improving the law relating to vaccination and quarantine, and for, better enabling means to be taken for k the repression of epidemic diseases in towns and country districts. Measures will be submitted to you to consolidate and amend the laws relating to gold-mining ; to reduce the Stamp Duty payable upon receipts, and within the Colony on newspapers ; lo enable municipalities and road distiicts to enter into arrangements, or" grant concession?, for the construction of tramways ; to make more liberal terms : on which drawbacks are granted; to encourage fisheries; to amend the laws relating to public revenues; to amend the law of bankruptcy; to provide for the appointment of a public trustee; and to consolidate and amend the laws relating to elections. These and other measures which may be brought before you, I commend to your careful consideration, and I pray that fyour labors may, under the blessing of Providence, conduce to the prosperity of the colony, and the happiness of the two races which inhabit it.