VAN DIEMEN'S LAND. [From the Hobart Town Guardian.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 728, 24 July 1852, Page 3

VAN DIEMEN'S LAND. [From the Hobart Town Guardian.]

The Legislative Council met June 15lh at 2 o'clock, pursuant to adjournment, when they were "addressed by his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor as follows :—: — Mr, Speaker and Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, — A very brief period Las elapsed since the closing of the last Session ; "but I have thought it advisable to call you together now, believing it to be a season of the year during which of you experience less inconvenience by prolonged absence from your homes. The Acts which in the course of the lasi Session received the sanction of the Legislature have not been in force long euough to justify the formation .of a positive opiuion as to their efficacy. I must, however, direct your attention to the Customs' Duties Bill, as a close and searchingenquiry into its operation is desirable. The present enactment ia of a temporary character, expiring at the end of the first Session of 1853 ; and as any measure intended to be permanent must receive the approval ofHer Majesty before it can be acted upon in this Colony, it will be necessary for you without delay to- decide finally on this important question. The main subject for consideration will be -the scale of Duties to be levied.; and the object of such a scale should not be limited to the raising of a Revenue sufficient to cover the present Expenditure, but U should also carry with it such apriuciple of extension as will enable it to meet the future and probable wants of the* Public Service, arising from the progress and advancement of the Colony. All the information of which the Government . may be in possession will be laid before you ; and I have every confidence that in your wisdom and discretion tbe results of your deliberation will place the Revenue upon a just and sound basis, bearing equitably upon all classes of the people. The Cross and Bye Road Act, which was passed last Session, has been very generally welcomed by the inhabitants of the respective Districts as a boon of which they are anxious to avail themselves. Thi3 is but one, however, of a series of measures to which I alluded in ray address nt the commencement of the last Session as having for their object the extension and development of the principle of Selfj-governraenr, and local administration and control. The other Bills having the same object, which were inirr- ' duced at the same time, but unavoidably postponed, — namely, that establishing Municipal Bodies in Hobart Town and Launceston, tl»at giving'to the Municipal Roily iv Launceston ihe power of supplying the Town wich Water, an.l that establishing a general system of Education, — will again be brought before y>u, togeihei

with others founded upon the same principle. By one of these, the care of the Wharves, and the ' administration of the funds arising from Wharfage Dues, hoth at Hobart Town and Launceston is proposed to be entrusted to a body of elected Commissioners ; while- the object of another will be to establish a general system under which the ample supplies of water afforded by the rivers of ibis Colony may be made available for purposes of irrigation. I press these measures upon the attention of the Council, not only on account of their individual importance, but with especial reference to the principle which they assert. - The history of Europe during the last half" century bears strong testimony to the accuracy of the opinion that Free Institutions exist but in name in all those countries where they are not based upon the Municipal system ; the creation and development of such a system "should,'therefore; be among the earliest duties of a Representative Legislature. In accordance with the intention expressed in ray Address at the close of the last Session, the subject of the Tonnage Dues levied upon Shipping trading to thia Colony, and of the Ilaibour Regulations generally, has been carefully considered by the Government ; and a Bill will be laid before you by which the recommendation of the Committee to which this subject was jeferred daring the former Session of Council will be fully carried out., It has long been my wish to assimilate as fa r as possible the Postal arrangements of this Colony to those of the Mother Country, by reducing the Postage on Letteis, abolishing the privilege of Franking, and making pre-piyment of the postage compulsory: tie first effect of such a change would probably be a reduction of the Revenue of the Post Office, but any deficiency would soon be made 1 -good by the increased correspondence. The system has worked very wellinNew South Wales;- and "I recommend it to your careful consideration. Several Bills for the purpose of enabling the Government to cany out local improvements will be laid before you. As these improvements are of such a character as to confer lasting benefits upon the Colony, it would seem to. be unfair to charge the cost of their completion to the Revenue.for the year. It is proposed, therefoie, in each case to "borrow the sum necessary to car- ! ry out the works, and, by a proper rate, charged i upon those who benefit by the improvement, io raise -annually a sum sufficient to cover interest j — the cost of repair an'l management — and a re- ! served fund to pay off the capital originally es» pended. The results of the discovery of gold on the Continent dF Australia have been, as legards this colony, of a very mixed characttr. While the demand for every species of produce for the supply of the Continental markets has given a stimulus to trade which has been most beneficial, the attractions of gold diggings have withdrawn a large proportion of the working population from the Colony ; and unless some means can be found to supply the demand for labour, the check to agriculture, and to all the other material interests of the Colony, will be felt most severly. One of the results of this disturbance of the labour market will Le to place in jeopardy the supply of food available for the whole of the Australian Colonies. Impressed with thenelcessity of viewing this question in its relations with all the Colonies, I have directed certain enquiries to be made as to the probable wants and supply in each, with especial reference to the Agricultural interests of Van Diemen's Land. The results of these enquires when obtained will be kid before you. So long ago as last August T pointed cut to Cne Secretary of State what would be the probable effect of the gold discoveries upon the labour market ; and I have since then on various occasions made his Loriship acquainted with the results which have actually been produced, I have pressed as strongly as possible the claim of Van Diernen's Land to be provided with an adequate supply of labour; and have urged upon her Majesty's Government the aloption of the principle that, as long, as this Colony has to receive persons subject in aoy degree to coercion or control, an equal number of Free Emigrants should be sent at the expense of the British Treasury. As, however, the prosperity of the Colony is altogether dependent upon the amount of labour which can be placed at the disposal o$ the Settlers, I recommend the subject to your serious considerationj assuring you that I shall gladly concur in any measures, either legislative or administrative, by which. the introduction of Emigrants, or their retention when introduced, may be facilitated. * '' The Estimates for the year 1553 will be laid before you immediately, together with all the information which may be required to elucidate them : they are based upon s those" which received your sanction du-ring the last Session, and have been drawn up with as strict a reference to economy as is compatible -with a due consideration for the interests of the community. 1 ana happy to be able to congratulate you upon the prospects of the colony. Temporary checks may, it is true, for a time operate prejudicially, .but I feel certain thai its onward course will not be materially retarded. Jt is for you, Gentlemen, in your capacity as Members of the Legislature, as for me in mine as Head of the Executive Government, to watch carefully the operation of every measure which may, in any way effect this progress, — to foster and assist in developing every scheme by which this may be facilitated, to clear away every impediment by which it may be checked or retarded ; and as I feel certain that you will not be wanting on your part, so I shall be earnest and zealous in my endeavours to promote all the best interest's of the Colony. His Excellency, and Staff, then left,the Chamber, in the same form and state as that in which they had entered. The Speaker then took the Chair, and read the address of his Excellency. , Moved by Mr. Leake, and seconded — That the Address of his Excellency be printed. Carried. Mr. Kermode . then said, that he should, on Thursday, move an Address, which he read, in reference to the Governor's remarks upon the disloyal expressions made* by the Council, when

passing the Resolutions against the continuance of Transportation. - Mr. Cox moved that the House do adjourn till Thursday at 3 o'clock. The Colonial Secretary moved an amendment to the effect that an address should be moved to his Excellency's address ; in accordance with the custom of the House of Commons. .The Honorable Member then moved, that a Committee be -appointed to prepare an address to his Excellency's address; — consisting of certain Members, named by .the Colonial Secretary. The amendment was put to the vote and lost ; and the House was adjourned on Mr. Cox's motion, till Thursday at 3 o'clock.