OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue XIV, 15 July 1879, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH

At half-past two this afternoon His Excellency delivered the following Bpeech, for a copy of which we are indebted to the Government, who caused it to be telegraphed through without delay : — Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives — It is a great pleasure to me so shortly after my assumption of the Government of this colony to meet the Legislative Council and the representatives of New Zealand in Parliament assembled. During the limited time which has elapsed since my arrival I have endeavored, as far a3 possible, to make myself acquainted with the capabilities and requirements of the country, and to gain by personal intercourse a knowledge of its public men, and of the various communities spread throughout its wide extent. The first impressions which I have formed are very favorable. I have been much gratified by the local cordial reception which has everywhere been accorded to me as her Majesty's representative, and I have not failed to note with admiration the extent and variety of the resources of the country, and the industry and enterprise which are developing them with such marvellous rapidity. I gladly avail myself of this opportunity to express to you as representing both races of the people of New Zealand my grateful acknowledgements for the welcome which has been extended to me, and to offer my congratulations upon the fair, healthy, and fertile country which Providence has given to you as an inheritance. My responsible advisers fully recognise the desire that exists for the enactment of measures which will secure a more equal representation of the people ; for a more frequent return of members to their constituencies for re-election; for an equitable distributiou of the burdens of taxation ; and for a mode more just and judicious of dealing with the public lands and those belonging to the Natives. As a first step towards giving effect to these desires the following measures will, amongst others, be laid before you— - A Bill to amend the law relating to electors qualified to vote at the election of members of the House of Representatives, and a Bill

to make provision for the representation of the people in the General Assembly. These measures, if they receive your sanction, will secure manhood suffrage on a residental qualification to Europeansj and will give the^francbise ».o men of the Native race who are enrolled on a ratepayers roll or who hold individual or undmded grants from the Crown for land to a certain value. The effect of the measure will also be to adjust representation as far as possible on the basis of the population, and to limit the duration of future Parliaments to three years. A measure will be submitted to you providiug that, in future, native reserve lands shall be dealt with only by public auction or public tender, thereby aboiisbiug the present monopoly of dealiug iv such, securing the best price for the native owners, ftnd giving to eVeryohe ah opportunity of competing for sales or leases. It is also under consideration how far this principle of public auction might fairly be beneficially applied to such native lands ns now remain unsurveyed, or the titles to which have not yet been investigated by the Courts. The disposal of such lands with the consent cf the native owners under the existing land laws of the colony would greatly promote the increase of settlement, while at the same time it would secure to the native owners the full value of their estates. Enquiries are now being made to ascertain the opinions of the natives generally, and if acceptable to them, a Bill for this* purpose wil! be laid before you. The fanaticism which has prevailed on the west coast of this island for some years past has, during the recess, assumed a somewhat alarming appearance. The necessary steps have been taken to secure the peace of the district, and it is possible that a peaceful solution of the difficulty will be found. Papers in reference to this- matter will be laid before you. The negotiations with the Waikato natives have been suspended, and ail offers of settlement have been withdrawn, so that any further negotiations must be commenced on a new basis. The behaviour of Tawhiaoand his people continues friendly and peaceful, and my advisers have good reason to believe that these relations will be maintained. At the same time the well-known Chief Rewi has given further important proofs of his good faith and loyalty. The attitude taken by him offers a guarantee for the continuation of peace and the maintenance of this would in a short time lead to the opening up of the interior for settlement. Generally, the behaviour of the native people has been loyal and peaceful. Very great progress has been made in the acquisition of native lands as public estate, especially in localities through which the proposed trunk lines of railway in the north island are likely to pass. Gentlemen of tiie House op Representatives — It will be gratifying to you to learn that the revenue received under nearly all heads during the past year has exceeded the estimated amount. The excess under such heads has amounted to about £190,000. Under the head of land revenue a large deficiency has occurred, but it must be borne in mind that whilst a deficiency of the Customs revenue or of any revenue of that character would be an absolute loss to the colony, which conld never be replaced, a falling off of land revenue practically means only that so much less Crown land than was calculated on has been sold during the period in question. The Crown land, which is the capital of the country, still remains for sale, and can be sold when the progress of settlemeut will give it an enhanced va'.ue. The policy which you sanctioned last year of reserving Crown land from tale in districts through which railways are in course of formation until their construction is complete will necessarily add to the value and to the proceeds which may be anticipated from the sale of such lands. The falling off in the sale of Crown lands during the year may be attributed in part to the commercial depression which has prevailed throughout the world, fortunately less Jin New Zealand than elsewhere, but chiefly to the postponment of the saie of confiscated lands. The probable continuance during the current financial year of decreased land revenue renders it requisite in the opinion of my Government to impose fresh taxation to meet the requirements of the colony. In ac cordance with the principle of equalizing the incidence of taxation a measure will be presented to you for imposing a tax on incomes. One result of that tax will be that so soon as the finances of the country admit of it being done, the legislature can lessen and ultimately abolish all duties which now press heavily on the necessaries of life and relax the springs of industry. Those railways which under the authority of Parliament have been completed betwen large centres of population, are now yielding a yearly revenue, which, not only meets the charge of their maintenance, but pays a large proportion of the interest on the cost of their construction. The estimated gross revenue of these railways for the current year, is £950,000. They have given a greatly enhanced value to property thorughout the colony and have materially forwarded the development of its resources. Encouraged by this experience, the Government propose to proceed vigorously with the construction of those lines which have already been, or may hereafter he, authorised by Parliament, the completion of which will be of great advantage to the entire community, and for that purpose a measure will be submitted to you, authorising an additional loan of £5,000,000 to be raised. The estimates, which will be laid before you, have been prepared with a careful regard for economy. Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of REPRESENTATIVES — My advisers are of opinion that the present Bystem of County local self government should be placed on a better footing, and that this should be done without impairing the self-governing powers possessed by the Road Boards and Municipalities. A Bill will therefore be submitted to you for enabling County Councils to raise, under certain conditions and subject to the assent of the ratepayers, loans for public works snch as can now be raised by Municipalities. The Bill will contain provisions intended to [encourage the union of two or more Counties for executing such work, but it will not be sought to withhold the powers from any County standing alone, provided the various conditions are complied with. It would be manifestly impossible for the Government to present during this session measures which would effect in their entirety all the objects which have been indicated, nevertheless, those which will be proposed are all in the direction which my advisers believe to be consistent with the wishes of the country. Amongst other important Bills to be submitted to you are a Bill to suspend plurality of voting in cases of election to local governing bodies, whilst those bodies are subsidised <utof the general revenue of the colony, a Bill for the better management and the maintenance of hospitals and charitable institutions, and a Bill to regulate the immigration of Chinese in accordance with the intention stated in my predecessor's speech last session. A Royal Commission has been appointed to enquire into the subject of higher education, and papers on the subject will be laid before you. lam confident that your careful attention will be bestowed on all the measures which may be brought before you in the interests of the whole colony. I desire to unite cordially with you in carrying out the wishes of our Most Gracious Sovereign for

the welfare and happiness of Her Majesty's subjects of both races in New Zealand, and I humbly express my hope that the Divine Providence may bless our endeavors to obtain beneficial ends.