THE GOVENOR’S SPEECH.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 343, 31 July 1878, Page 4

THE GOVENOR’S SPEECH.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:- — Estimates which will be laid before you have been prepared, so as to promote economy and effective administration in several departments. lion will find there is an increase of revenue, which indicates the prosperity of the colony, and its progress is tendered more certain Ly the marked extension in the export trade. The successful issue of theloan authorised last session, is a further proof of the opinion entertained in other countries, of the stability of our financial position, and ot the general prosperity and peace which prevails in Hew Zealand. Authority has been given to the agents, under the Consolidated Societies Act, to convert Hew Zealand securities ol a miscellaneous character, into long dated debentures hearing a uniform rate of interest, hi ensures will bo Introduced to place the taxation of the colony on a more equitable basis, apportioning the public burdens according to the Capacity to boar them, and the tariff will be submitted to revision, tending to relieve commerce of some restrictions which retard its growth.

Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives—The Government have found that in order to carry out any real administrative reform, there must be an amalgamation of offices as well as a simplification in their administration. This has been specially felt in the Department of Justice. To effect a saving in departmental expenditure, and at the same time to increase the efficiency of the administration, :i Bill extending tlie jurisdiction of tlie inferior Courts has been prepared, and will soon .be laid before yon. My Ministers have endeavoured by this Bill to simplify the proceedings in the local courts. Steps have also been taken to obtain a simplification of the Supreme Court procedure, and the Government hope that the benefits obtained in other countries from amending the procedure of the higher Courts of Judicature, will be secured for this Colony. A report will be laid before you, showing the effect, so far, of the Education Act passed last Session. The time that has elapsed since its passing, has been too short to allow a fair estimate of its working to be arrived at, but the Government do not believe that any material amendments are at present expedient. The question of higher education deserves most careful consideration ; but as a preliminary thereto, it is necessary that the mode of working, and the effects of existing institutions should be ascertained. It is intended, therefore, to appoint a Royal Commission, to inquire into and report upon the operations of the Hew Zealand University, and its relations to the secondary schools of the Colony. The report of this Commission will, if legislation be necessary, enable Parliament to deal effectively with the'subject next Session. Arrangements have been entered into with the Government of Hew South "Wales, for modifying the San Francisco Mail Service Contract, and as to coming within the terms of the Postal Union. In conjunction with Hew South Wales, the Government have also negotiated with Colonel Glover, the representative of the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company, for a duplication of the Cable from Port Darwin to London, and for a reduction of the tariff on the New Zealand Cable. The present state of these negotiations will be shown by papers that will be laid before you. The Goldfields of the colony are still prosperous, and there can be no doubt that there are yet numerous and extensive auriferous deposits that only require population and i enterprise for their development. You will, I have no doubt, join with me in the hope that the proposal to establish direct steam communication between Hew Zealand and the United Kingdom may prove successful. The results of the gradual extension of the Railway system have been such as to justify the colony in undertaking its large indebtedness, for the prosecution of those public works. It is gratifying to find that the District Railways Act of last Session is being taken advantage of, and that the faith of the people of Hew Zealand in Railway extension, is being shown by many important lines in different parts of the Colony being undertaken by private and local enterprise. This spirit of self-reliance my Ministers think should be fostered, and you will be asked to make some slight amendments, with the view of offering facilities which experience has shown to be desirable during the recess. Y arious changes have been introduced in the Management of the Public Works and Railway Departments, changes whifch I venture to hope Avill prove beneficial to the public service. I commend to your serious consideration the various measures and subjects that may be brought before yon for your advice and action, and I pray that the spirit of divine wisdom may so order your deliberations, that peace and happiness may be promoted throughout the length and breadth of the Colony.