The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1878.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5408, 27 July 1878, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1878.

Parliament was opened with the usual formalities yesterday afternoon, and the speech prepared by the Ministry and handed to his Excellency the Governor by the Colonial Secretary, will bo road with a considerable decree of interest by politicians of every class throughout the colony. We have at last obtained a clue by which to judge the Cabinet; —w'e.havo had enough of separate and practically unauthorised addresses which one’ Minister after another repudiated or attempted to explain away;, all seemed agreed that no weight should be attached to the Premier’s utterance,’ he was a great fact, and had been useful in placing his colleagues in It would not do for them to be ungrateful, or to undervalue the services rendered by their chief, but still the public were given to understand that he would bo kept in check, ho would not be allowed to have all his own way, it might be true that he had promised to do this and perform that, but moans would be devised to prevent mischief. Measures might be proposed, but it did not follow as a matter of course that they would be passed. The Opposition equally with the Ministry had the geod of the country at heart. The Cabinet could not expect to pass Bills opposed by a majority of the House; they were opqfi to reason, , objectionable measures could easily be withdrawn or their consideration postponed. The great point would bo to keep the present Ministry iaoffioe, and then the salvation of the country would be secured. This is briefly an outline of the programme which has been placed before the public since last session, privately and publicly. The Conservative has'been assured that he and his party are the back-bone and sinew of the country. Why should they be afraid] Have they not wealth, talent, position, power, and influence at their command? . Why should they dread men who are themsglves thoroughly Conservative and honest. The Libera), on tho other hand, has been led to bolievo that there is a good tiino coming,’when all tho taxation and burdens shall bo borne by one class in the community ; that the large estates shall bo burst up and divided amongst tho faithful adherents of tho democratic party. Thus it is by no means difficult to understand how easy it is to reconcile these apparently wide distinctions when the views held by tho different Ministers, are properly considered. Colonel Whitmore would be very sorry to be regarded as a democrat. Ho is a" fair representative of the Conservative element. Mr. Stout no doubt takes pride* in being an out-and-out democrat. Thou Sir George Grey, Mr. Mac Andrew, and Mr. Stout wero ardent Provihoialists ; Mr. . Ballancb, Mr. Eisiier, and Colonel Whitmore wore on the other side, and did their best to abolish that form of local self-Governmoufc. They are now equally divided on tho question of separating the colony into two 'portions. Many other points of difference might bo referred to if space permitted. Wo have drawn attention to these diversities of opinion .in order that wo may show tho points in which tho Ministry, judging from the speech delivered yesterday, have now become united; and on .which they will have to stand or fall. , Wc trust that the anticipations indulged in, that the deliberations of Parliament wiir tend to promote tho prosperity and good government of the colony, will bo fully realised. Wo believe the Opposition will assist iii passing all measures likely to promote peace, order, and good government; and wo hope they will have sufficient respect for themselves and tho high office they hold to bo above resorting to the tactics which disgraced the carly.portion of last-session. Notwithstanding all that has been said to tho .contrary wo are convinced that the colonists of Now Zealand are* thoroughly loyal and devoted subjects,of her Majesty tho Queen, and therefore wo aro not surprised to find that testimony in support of this fact is given on Hie high authority, of his Excellency tho Governor,

under the advice of his responsible advisers. The idea of an elective Governor would be scouted, and the existence of any Ministry that would dare to submit such a proposal would be very brief. One and all must be pleased to learn that, thanks to the.groundwork laid by the late SirDoNALiS McLean, peaceful relations arein the.course of being established with' the Waikato and Ngatimaniopotq tribes, and wo should bo the last to attempt to detract in any way from the credit-due to the Premier and the Native Minister,for. their persistent endeavors to persuade tho' natives that it is their jnterest to maintain the good understanding that at present happily exists botweontho two races; ,peaoo, and prosperity, war and ruin ; these expressive words slate the truth; prosperity follows in the wake of peace, ruin, as we have seen in the past, is the result of war. We hope that the influential and powerful tribes wo have named will cease to be estranged from us; that they will . become producers and consumers, and thus enlarge trade and commerce in the North Island.

The importance of extending the North Island trunk railway from Auckland to Taranaki cannq|l be over-estimated, and wo trust that members on both sides of the House will support the Government, and place funds at "its disposal to enable this undertaking to bo completed within tlie shortest possible space of time. Immense tracts of valuable land would bo opened lip for settlement and.occupation. New Zealand is in good credit in the money market of the world, funds to carry out,this groat and necessary work can easily bo raised, and the increased value of tlrolaud through which the railway passed would more than recoup the outlay. The time is opportune, we have able engineers, labor can be procured on fair terms, and it is more than probable that in the native districts a large amount of the work might be done by the natives. This would assist in further allaying any illfeeling that still exists, get the natives into the habit of \vorkiug and earning money,, and above all things, enable the work to be proceeded with rapidly. We are satisfied that the members of both Houses of the Legislature will gladly assist the Government in passing measures 'for simplifying . the procedure in investigating titles to native lands, and while there will bo every disposition to see justice done to the native owners, it will equally be felt to bo the duty of members to endeavor to conserve the interest of the colony. Wo have always held that a great mistake was made when the Government waived their right of pre-emption, but the past cannot be recalled, wo have to deal with things as they exist now, and it may still bo made apparent of the natives that it would bo for their advantage to make over tracts of land'to the Government on easy terms, the Government engaging to make ample reserves, and to rendqr the land valuable by making railroads and ordinary roads through it, thus rendering it accessible for settlement and occupation.

It is satisfactory to learn that at last the Government recognise that it is their duty to take some stops to protect the different harbors in the colony. It is not very long since we were told that we might rely upon the mother country-for protection against foreign foes, and that it was useless to consult such high authorities as Colonels Jebvois and Scbatchley. Now we are content to receive and act upon the advice of a board which was assembled in London; and the Government, we are told, accept the duty of carrying out the recommendations made, and the necessary armament will soon be in the colony. Better late than never. The evil has been tided over ; affairs in Europe bear a less warlike aspect, happily; we may have time to place ourselves, as they are doing in Sydney, Melbourne, and Hobarton, in a bettor position to resist hostile attacks, and the people will have to blame the Government and their representatives if a proper use is not made of the munitions of war now on the way "to New Zeeland. The measure prepared for the purpose of placing the franchise and the method of electing members of the House of Representatives on a better basis, will be looked for with great interest, and it will be satisfactory if it is practicable to effect improvement. Ministers through his Excellency the Governor, inform us : —“Ton will find that “there is a large increase of revenue, “ which indicates the prosperity of the “ colony ; and its progress is rendered “ more certain by a marked extension of “ the export trade.” This is just, what might reasonably have been expected, and no doubt the now Cabinet will bo disposed to claim all the credit arising from this happy position of affairs. What will financiers (rfthe standing of Mr. Murray, Mr. Rises, and others wo could name say ! What has become of all their doleful prognostications ! It may not bo out of place to inquire what has really produced the large increase of revenue, and the marked extension of exports. Wo answer, the good government of preceding years. From the time Sir Julius Vogel became a Minister of the Crown, and inaugurated the Public Works scheme, the' colony haa made rapid pro-gress-revenue, imports,- exports, population, every element of wealth has been developed in a most wonderful manner. The present Government are reaping the fruits of the seed sown by previous administrators. Sneers have been cast on those who have been members of what has been termed a continuous Government; it will bo a happy, thing for this colony if an equal amount of progress is reached within the next seven years as haa been attained during.the past seven years.

We are'told that ‘‘ the successful issue , “ of the loan authorised last session is a “ further proof of the opinion entertained “ in other countries of the stability of our “ financial position, and of the general “ prosperity and peace which pfevail in “ Now Zealand, and that authority has “ been given to the agents under tho Con“ solidated Stock Act to convert New “ Zealand securities of a miscellaneous “ character into long-dated debentures “ bearing a uniform rate of interest.” We should like to enquire in such a place as “The Palace ol Truth” to whom, the real credit is duo of negotiating the recent loan. Can there be any doubt that the man who has already done- so much for Now Zealand — Sir Julius Yookl— did the hard work. Por mouths prior to the loan being placed in the market, lie had been' putting before capitalists and investors the vast Held open for investing funds, and the ample security the colony was in a position 'to offer. This had its duo weight, and when tenders were invited three times the amount required Was offered. Many will no doubt remember the strenuous and determined efforts that swore made to prevent the passing of the Consolidated Stock Act. Now wo find that the Government have authorised the proper parties to consolidate and to.oonvort New Zealand securities of a miscellaneous character into long-dated debentures bearing a unifonn rate of interest. The next paragraph in the speech,— Measures . will bo introduced to placo “ the taxation of the colony on a more “ equitable basis, apportioning the public “ burdens according to tljo .capacity to “ bear thorn j and the tariff will bo sub- “ mittod to revision, tending to relieve “ commerce of somo restrictions which “ retard its growth,”—is one oflmnjonso importance, and great anxiety'will bo experienced until the details are laid fully before, the public. This may be termed a promising paragraph. Whether all the assurances y/ill bo carried into effect js a very different matter, The representatives of the people will bo called upon to approve the changes contemplated, and the decision may bo fairly left in' their hands.

All ivill agroo. that groat improvement can bo effected'in tho Department of Justice, aiid'that it -is very desirable to ob*

tain a simplification of the Supremo Court procedure. At present the wise man avoids litigation, and the poor and the wealthy man. are not fairly handicapped. The sooner'a simpler and' less costly mode of procedure be followed.,the better it will be for all who are' obliged to"endeavor to enforce just demands. . There can be little doubt that good will result from the issue of a Royal Commission to inquire into and report upon the operation of the New Zealand University, and it .is highly probable that some amendments may bo made which will render the Education Acts more useful. The papers relative to the alterations in the Post Office and Telegraph departments will bo perused with interest. It is satisfactory to learn that the, goldfields of :the colony are still prosperous; and wo are certain that both branches of the Legislature will give tho subject of direct steam communication between the United Kingdom and New Zealand the most careful attention.

The railway returns when placed on the table of the House will no doubt justify the statement that the colony has been fully warranted in undertaking its large amount of indebtedness for the prosecution of public works, and wo trust that tho present Government, or any other that may succeed it, will not hesitate to apply to Parliament for further borrowing powers. If tho railways are to bo remunerative, the main trunk lines in tho North and in tho South Islands must be completed. Then tho revenue will bo increased, and the settlement and occupation of the country rendered easy and profitable. Wo hope the concluding paragraph in the speech will be remembered by every member. Many scenes took place last session which gave pain to every wellwisher of New Zealand. We trust that all will unite in trying to preserve order and decorum, and that during the debates there will be few hasty or angry words passed or ungenerous remarks made. The New Zealand Parliament once ranked very high, wo trust it will regain its past reputation, and never lose it again. •