PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 186, 11 July 1874, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

OPENING’ OF THE GENERAL assembly. THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH. Wellington, July 3. Parliament was opened this afternoon at 2 o'clock, by his Excellency the Governor reading lhe following speech i— - “ Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives. “ I have recourse with pleasure to your adviee and assistance. The marriage of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh with Her Imperial Highness the Grand Duchesd Marie of Russia seems to me an occasion upon which you will bo glad to express to Her Majesty your congratulations, and my advisers will submit, to you addresses for this purpose. Since the prorogation of the General Assembly I have visited most of the provinces, and have taken every opportunity in iuy power of acquainting myself with the circumstances of the whole country. I am glad, in the course of my tours and visits, to have become known to great numbers of the inhabitants, and I .have bad the pleasure of viewing the great, national resources of New Zealand and the considerable progress already made in their development. Everywhere: are evidences of comfort and contentment amongst the colonists, while in those districts in which Europeans and natives are mingled there are gratifying signs of mutual confidence and even of regard. The public works sanctioned by you have been prosecuted with tho utmost vigour that the resources at the command of the Public Works Department permitted. “ The number of immigrants introduced into the country has largely increased. Papers will be laid before you from which you will gather all the circumstances in connection with the selection and passages of the immigrants and the views of ’the Government thereon. You will also learn with pleasure that without impairing their own responsibility to Parliament, my advisers have made arrangements with the Provincial Governments to aid in locating and settling th* immigrants on their arrival in the colony. "The contract ably negotiated .by Mr. Russell on behalf of the colony, by which New Zealand, in conjunction with New South Wales, has again established a mail packet service with the mother country by way of the United States, will be laid before you. “ Owing todelay in obtaining the ratification of the Parliament of New -South Wales, no effect has yet been given tq. the agreement approved by you last year between the .colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, and New Zealand, for establishing telegraphic communication between New Zealand and the Australian colonies, Queensland,and Singapore. The approval of the Parliament of New South Wales, which Las recently reached this Government, will, it is hoped, enable measures to be shortly taken to promote* communication so important to this colony. “ The general prosperity which prevails throughout, the country will be a gratifying proof to you of the wisdom of the provision which you have made for increasing the population and enlarging and put ting to profitable uses the resources of the colony. “ The continued peaceful relations with the native race, and the disposition which the Maoris evince to recognise in your policy a desire to promote the interests of both races, are subjects calculated to afford you the utmost gratification. “ Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,—- “ Estimates framed with a due regard to economy, but which necessarily indicate the largely ihcreased work of administration, will be laid before you. The very considerable increase in the revenue will give you confidence in continuing the great public works of the colony, and in expending money npon immigration. “Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives. “ I am pleased to assure ybu of the continued success of the good system of life assurances and annuities. The time ha* some when it is

desirable you should stamp upon this institution the unselfish nature of the motives which called it into existence by deciding to relinquish to those who, by using it, have responded to your dosin' to cultivate provident habits, the profits which may arise from it. My advisers will suhinit’to you measures which will contain provision for periodically allotting to the policy-hilders such profils us may be considered safely devisable. “ Papers will bo presented to you which will enable you to judge that my advisers consider that the Polynesian Islands, their civilisation, settlement, commerce, and forms of government will present problems of great interest and importance to this colony. Measures will be submitted to provide an additional cleet oral qualification; to create and conserve State forests as a colonial property ; to provide a means for guarding against difficulties which may arise in consequence of continued differences of opinion between the two branches of the Legislature; and to make provision for various requirements of a more or less pressing nature. The urgent demands upon their administrative attention consequent, on the rapid progress of the colony, and the many matters to which that progress makes prompt attention desirable, lead my advisers to think it expedient not to invite legislation upon questions which do not press for immediate solution. The responsible duties you are about to discharge will, I hope, under the blessing of Divine Providence, further add to the welfare of the colony and the happiness of its people of both races.” Mr. T. B. Gillibs has given notice for a return of all persons employed in land purchases in the North Island, the terms of their engagement, and the work done during the year by each. It is understood that neither the Goldfieds, Insolvency, or Education Bills are in the Government programme. It is reported that Mr. Fox intends going to England after the session. The Native and Defence Minister is expected back about the 15th inst. July 8. In reply to Mr. L. Shepherd, the Premier intimated that it would be inadvisable for any Post-master to have power to compel the attendance of subordinates to deliver mails on Sundays, and generally it was not desirable to make any change in the present arrangement regarding Sunday. In replying to Mr. C. O’Neill the Premier said the Government did not intend to introduce any Goldfields Bill during the present session. He thought the goldfields legislation was more properly the function of the provinces than of the colony, but that if the lion, member chose to take charge of such a bill, he hoped the session would last, long enough to give him an opportunity to have the subject ventilated. Wellington, July 4. The special correspondent of the Auckland Star says:— Mr. Sheehan put a notice of motion to the following effect: — “ What has been the cause of delay and proceeding with the construction of the Tnuranga and Waikato coach road, and whether it is intended to go on with it this year?” You will recognise the importance of this matter. Several hundred thousands pounds were voted for roads and works in the North Island, and the great bulk of it has been spent in opening up lines of traffic for Napier on account of Ormond's and McLean's influence in that province. No difficulty competent men say whatever really exists, for communication between Tnnranga, Waikato, and Taupo may be opened up without fear of complication with natives. The Telegraph Department being delegated to underpaid boys and women you can seldom tell whether a message is right or wrong, or delivered to the right owner. Brown gets a telegram belonging to Jones, and then Jones gets angry. The Times has an article suggesting an amendment in the department and better pay to officials. People would like to know if you could send down any empty houses .from Onehunga or Ilowick. If any more people come here they will have to camp out. July 6. ThirGovemor explains in a lengthy despatch why Sullivan was shipped from Auckland for London by the ship Hindustan under the name of Clark, justifying his conduct, and states that hie advisers communicated to the Home authorities. Kimberley refuses a training ship to the Colony for the education of boys for the Colonial Mercantile Marine. The Times has a long article justifying the Immigration Department here, and castigating Dr. Featherston. It says it does not clearly appear whether the Agent reads despatches, nor what his action may be, but his reticence is certain. He has been lectured about Asiatics, ballet-dancers, Whitechapel Boys, Mrs. Howard and her Cork women proteges, and all other subjdtts connected with the department. It is blowing ane raining as though it never blew nor rained before in Wellington. (From the special correspondent of the Daily Southern Cross.) Wellington, July 7. Very severe despatches to Dr. Featherston have been sent by the last mail, which will be laid on the table in all probability to-morrow. It is believed that a movement will be proposed to recall him and give him a pension; also, to send a number of travelling agents home with the new Agent-General. It is also said a retiring pension to Chief Justice Arney and Judge Chapman will be proposed. Mr. Gillies, of Otago, has given notice to ask for the production of the original telegrams and correspondence between Judge Ward and the Government regarding Judge Chapman and the Otago Daily Times' telegrams. It. is understood that the Hon. Mr. Vogel is willing to produce the originals, but Mr. Fox and other friends of Jiylge Ward will use pressure to prevent this being done.