OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1047, 15 June 1883, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH,

Parliament was opened yesterday by His Excellency tlie Governor. The following is His Excellency’s speech, which we issued as an “ Extra” yesterday :

Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of

It affords me great pleasure to meet you for the first time in Parliament assembled since rny assumption of the Governorship of this Colony, to which Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to appoint me. I have visited a considerable portion of’each Island, and have thus been able to obtain a personal knowledge of various districts and .to make- . the acquaintance of many of the residents. I trust ere long to be able to complete my tour through the colony. I cannot but regard the cordial manner in which I have been everywhere received, as evidence of the loyal attachment of the people of New Zealand to the throne and person of our beloved Sovereign. I have been specially gratified by the hearty welcome given to me by the Natives whom i have met in different parts of the country; I was much impressed whereever I went by the signs of present prosperity, and especially by the vast capabilities of New Zealand, which only need for their development a larger population and more extended markets for the produce of the colony. I feel sure that as the inducements this country has to offer, become more fully realised in Europe increasing numbers of suitable'settlers will be attracted to its shores. More Annexation.

A fdw days ago the Government of Victoria telegraphed to my advisers proposing that New Zealand should join the Australian Colonies in asking the Imperial Government to establish "British rule over the New Hebrides, and other islands of the Pacific ; realising the great importance of these islands to Australasia, and the.serious-detriment it'would■■ be to. British interests should they fall into the hands of a Foreign Power. I [have telegraphed to the Secretaiy of State for the Colonies expressing my full concurrence in the desirability, of such action and my advisors at once acceding to the proposal made to them by the Victorian Government telegraphed to the AgentGeneral of this colony instructing him to co-operate with the Agent-General of Victoria in urging these views on the Colonial office. On Tuesday night a telegram was received from the AgentGeneral to the effect that Lord Derby would be willing to promote the views of the colonies on this subject, if some satisfactory assurance were given that they would bear the necessary expense. Native Affairs. Since Parliament last met a marked improvement has become apparent in the relations betweenMapris on the one hand and the Government and European settlers on the West Coast of the Northern Island. Where great anxiety recently prevailed there now exists a general feeling of security. The native chiefs Te Whiti and Tohu have been released from custody and permitted-to return toParihaka where they are residing. There is no indication that this, concession will lead to the renewal of dangerous proceedings on the part of the natives. The labours of the West Coast Commission are now drawing to a close. There is no doubt they will bo productive of much good to the Maoris, and will greatly promote the beneficial occupation and improvement of the country by both races. The thanks of the Colony are especially duo to Sir W. Fox for his very valuable services towards bringing about so satisfactory a result. The Maoris who have for so many years maintained their isolation, in the district between the European settlements at Waikato and those'on the Waitnra River, have now unreservedly renewed their intercourse with tho Government and the European population, and it is a gratifyiug fact that on a recent occasion important chiefs of (ho tribe which has hitherto maintained the most exclusive attitude,and which occupies trio most isolated part of tho colony have recognised our laws by voluntarily attending at the Supremo Court in Auckland to give evidence against a number of their own people who had committed a serious outrage on a party of Government surveyors. There are grounds for a reasonable hope that in the future the Natives will yield willing obedience to the laws of tho colony. The unopposed reopening of tho harbour of Knwhin, which had been closed to Europeans for more Ilian 20 years, tho laying out of a Go--vernmont township adjacent to tho harbour, and tho exploration for railway purposes of a part of tho country, where, for many years, Europeans had not boon permitted oven to travel warrants the belief (hat the Natives are realising that the development of tho resources of tho country will most effectively promote their own interests. I have issued a proclamation under the Act of last Session granting amnesty without any exception ; and there is every reason to believe that the amnesty has produced an excellent effect on the Native population. The pressing forward of surveys and construction , of roads prior to the alienation of Crown lands, have proceeded actively during the

past year, ami satisfactory results have been attained in the promotion of permanent settlement. Tire Land Laws. Further experience in departmental administration has _ shown that some changes are requisite in the land laws in order to give fuller effect to the desire of the Legislature that the public estate should be so disposed of as to promote the distribution of the land amongst a numerous and industrious population, and amendments of existing Acts having that object will be submitted for your consideration. During the last session Parliament determined to adopt within fixed limits a system of leasing agricultural lands with a perpetual tenure, and the initiation of,the system has been. *atr tended with results which maj r upon the whole bo decerned satisfactory. ; Immigration.

i The introduction of population under the nominated system of immigration was resumed on its being authorised by Parliament, and has been carried on during the recess, The jincreasing facilities of communication with Europe, the large area of land which is being opened for settlement by roads and railways, and the establishment of new industries, offer year by year greater inducement for the introduction of capital, and at the same lime point to the necessity of steadily continuing the : assistance which is given from,, the public funds in aid of immigration with this aid of money voted by Parliament. Increased facilities for. the development of the goldfields have been provided, and encouragement to this important industry has been thereby afforded. Large sums have been expended by private enterprise in opening out quartz reefs, and this branch of the industry is steadily assuming larger proportions and; becoming a permanent source of wealth to the colony. The Mail Service.

I have been able to give effect to the wishes of the Legislature by arranging for the continuation of the San . Francisco Mail Service for a period of two years beyond the termination of the existing contract at a cost to this colony of something less than that prescribed by the resolution passed last session. The particulars are contained in the papers which will be laid" before you. Tenders for the establishment of a direct line of steamships between Great Britain and the colony were advertised for here as well as in the United Kingdom, but neither the Agent-General nor the Post-master-General received any offer. Your renewed attention to this subject will be invited during the session.

Financial. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, —The estimates of, revenue aud expenditure for the current financial year will be laid before you in the course of a few days. Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative! Council arid Gentlemen of the House of.; Representatives, Returns will be pre-i senred to you which will show that not-; withstanding considerable commercial; depression during a part of this past year, the public revenue has been well maintained. The increasing receipts from railways are satisfactory evidence of the general progress and well-being of the country. An Exhibition.

The frequent applications that are made to this colony to take part in Exhibitions in various parts of the world, have led my advisers to give, careful consideration to this subject, and they have come to the conclusion that the object sought by Exhibitions would be more effectually promoted at a less cost by the establishment in London of a permanent Exhibition forjthe products of the industries of Australasia. It is proposed to submit to you resolutions with a view of inviting the co-operation of the several colonies interested. An Electire Council. It is, I think, generally conceded that the Legislative Council has, for the most part, discharged its functions with credit to itself and with advantage to the colony, but public opinion has, I believe, come, or is fast coming, to the conclusion that the time has arrived when an Elective should be substituted for a Nominated Chamber. It is obvious that a constitutional change of such magnitude should not be attempted without mature deliberation, the more so as opinion is very, much divided as to the mode in which a suitable constituency should he created. The views of my advisers on this very important subject will be laid before you during the session. Miscellaneous. There are a’number of subjects in reference to which legislation is more or less urgently required, but which for the last two sessions have had to give place to several very important measures that have been submitted by my Government for the consideration of Parliament, and engrossed its attention. Those measures having for the most part become law the present session will, I hope, afford a convenient opportunity of dealing with the subjects to which I have referred with a reasonable expectation that they may be satisfactorily disposed of. The work of consolidating the statutes of tho colony has beeri steadily proceeded with during the recess and is now fast approaching completion. {Several consolidating Bills of importance will be brought before you without delay. I do not . doubt that all tho business submitted to Parliament will receive that attention to which it may be entitled, and I earnestly hope that under the blessing ,of God your deliberations may result in promoting the happiness and welfare of all classes of Her Majesty’s subjects in this portion of Her dominions. PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSEParliament was opened on Thursday by His Excellency Sir W. Jervois, K.C.M.G., who wore the Civil Service uniform of the first class, tho collar and jewel of Michael and St George, the insignia of the Companion of; the Bath, and the South African and Perak war medals. A guard of honour was furnished by the Wellington Guards, and the D Battery of Artillery fired the salute. The weather was cold and wet, but there was a large attendance of Indies in the Council Chamber. * Only fifteen members of tho Coun. cil, and twenty-nine members of the House were in tho Council Chamber. After the Governor bad left, Mr T. W. Bnrnicoat and Mr A. De B. Brandon took the oath and their seats. A message from the Governor notified that leave for the session had been given to Captain Fraser, Major Richmond, and Mr Wood. Mr Whitaker, Captain Baillee, Mr G, R. Johnson, and Mr Wilson wore appointed a committee to prepare an Address in Reply. The usual formal notices having been given, the Council adjourned at 2.40 till the next day. ' In the House Mr E. Shaw took 'his seat and the oath as member for Inangahua. Several petitions were presented. Amongst the notices of motion and of Bills were the following Mr Montgomery gave_ notice

to ask the "Colonial '' Secretary on what date theFihaucial Statement \yill be made. Mr J. McKenzie gave notice to ask the Minister of Public Works when his Statement will be made, and the Public Works' estimates brought down. Sir George Grey, on the first motion to go into supply, to move that in the opinion of the House a Land Tax should bo imposed. Mr Montr gomery to introduce a bill to facilitate the annexation to New Zealand of other islands in the Pacific which might intimate a desire to be so annexed ; also a Bill to enable the people of Nfjw Zealand to make changes in their constitution, Mr M. W: Green/a Local Option Extension Bill. Mr Stewart, a School Committees’ Election Bill. Mr Hutchison, a motion condemning the teaching of skilled ‘trades in gaols,” Sir George Grey, a Bill to provide that , the ~ General Assembly of New Zealand shall consist of the Governor and the House of Representatives, also an Affirmation in Lieu of Oaths Bill, and a Law Practitioners’ Act Amendment Bill, and a Bill to farther secure the rights and privileges of members of the House of Representatives; also a motion for the establishment of an Agricultural College in Auckland city. Mr Macandrew, for returns of revenue and expenditure of various'kinds in the several provinces, Ministers gave notice of the appointment of several Sessional Committees; and Major Atkinson moved the first reading of the New Zealand Unsafe rsity Act Amendment Bill, Mr Montgpm/ery asked why this Bill was brought on ■"in such a hurry ? Major Atkinson said that it was in accordance with custom to introduce a Bill at this stage of the session. Sir George Grey thought the practice quite an unnecessary one, as- their rights rested on statute noton custom. ’The Bill was read a first time. Mr Montgomery complained that the draughts in the House were, as bad as ever, and Mr Shepherd. complained of the noise of the new ventilator. The: Minister of Public Works promised attention to both points, and at 3 o’clock the House adjourned until Friday.