TELEGRAMS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 292, 24 July 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH. INCREASED REPRESENTATION. FEATHERSTON TO BE DISMISSED. VOGEL TO BE AGENT GENERAL, AND STAFFORD PREMIER. O’RORKE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES. SIR GEORGE GREY CHEERED IN THE HOUSE. (from our own correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 22. Parliament was opened on Tuesday by His Excellency the Governor, with the following speech : —- Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of .Representatives, —

I have great pleasure now for the first time in meeting Lhe Parliament of New Zealand ; and I trust your deliberations during the present session may tend to advance the well being, and good Government of the colony. Since my assumption of office as Governor, have had great satisfaction in visiting four great centres of population, and becoming personally acquainted with some portions of lhe Middle Island, and I must congratulate you upon the great energy which has been evinced, and the rapid strides which have been made towards the development of this rich and fertile country. The reception which I received everywhere as Her Majesty’s Representative, was most cordial and loyal; and it will, I can assure you, be my anxious desire to extend my visits with as little delay us possible, to all portions of the .colony, in order that I may become personally acquainted with the resources and as far us possible, with the inhabitants of various districts. I have observed with the utmost sat is: action, the progress being made in the construction of those great public works which have been undertaken by the Government, under your authority, and I trust lhe time is not far distant when the industry of the country will receive fresh impulse by their completion.

The debt incurred in the formation of railways, has indeed, been large, but at the same time the returns received from those sections already opened, are most encouraging and tend greatly to prove the wisdom of the policy adopted.

The relations with that section of the native people of the colony, which have been so long estranged from us, continue to improve. The recent meeting of Tawhiao with the Native Minister (the meeting sought was arranged by Tawhiao himself) gives promise that the isolation in which the immediate adherents of the Maori King hitherto held themselves, is about to terminate. The renewed desire of the natives to provide English education for their children, is shown by a large increase in th® number of schools in native districts, and a general resumption of industrial pursuits; they also give assurance of the maintenance of peace, and H;desire on their part to participate with European colonists in the general prosperity.

A communication, by telegraph, has been received, intimating that the new contract fora mail steam service, to and from San Francisco, has been made by Sir Daniel Cooper, representing the government of New South Wales and Mr. Thomas Russell representing the Government of New Zealand, subject to ratification by the Legislatures of the respective colonies; the contract papers relative to it will be laid before you when received. You will be gratified tojearn that a contract has been made by Sir Julius Vogel, acting on behalf of the Government, for the laying of the telegraph cable between New South Wales and New Zealand, upon terms much more advantageous than were believed to be attainable when the undertaking was first authorised, and that the Government of New South Wales, has become party to the contract, and has agreed to contribute one third (£25,000) of the annual subsidy. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, —

Estimates of Expenditure for the current, financial year, will belaid before you. Whilst providing for the requirements of the public service, these Estimates have been framed to secure the utmost economy, found consistent with the complete efficiency of the several departments. The Immigration and Public Works Loan (four millions) authorised by Act of last session, has been successfully negotiated ; papers relating to which operation will be laid, before you without delay. It will afford you satisfaction to be informed that the public revenue continues to increase, and that lhe actual receipts for the past financial year have been considerably in excess of the official estimate. Honorable Legislative Councillors, and Gentlemen of the House of KeereSKNTAIIVES— In accordance with resolutions adopted by the House of Representatives last session, necessary measures for the abolition of the present Provincial form of Government, and for Lhe establishment of a more thorough form of local Government, in lhe North Island, have been prepared, and will be immediately laid before you. You will be invited to decide whether, taking the circumstances of the Colony into consideration, as well as its present financial condition, and the future prospects of some of the Provincial Governments, in the Middle Island, the

operation of the proposed measures may not at once, with general advantage, be extended so as to include the whole of the Provinces. In view of the proposed constitutional changes, and of the approaching termination of tne existence of the present Parliament, an adjustment of the representation of the people, to meet the altered circumstances of the electoral divisions, will become necessary. Bills will accordingly be submitted for your consideration, for amending the law relative to the Qualification of Electors, and for the readjustment of representation. A Bill to consolidate and amend the laws relating to Stamp Duties, and a Bill to amend thd laws relating to Insolvency will ulso be laid before you.

I confide to your earnest attention these and other measures to be brought before you, in the hope that the Divine Wisdom will guide your efforts faithfully to discharge your onerous duties.

The Native Minister announced the causes leading to the resignation of Sir Julius Vogel, and the re-construction of the Ministry. He also gave notices of motion to introduce a Protection of Animals Amendment Bill, and that Mr. O’Rorke be Chairman of Committees. Sir Gecrge Grey was introduced to the House by the Hon. Mr. Stafford and the Hon. Mr. Katene, loudly cheered on all sides. Wednesday, July 21. It is considered certain that Government will ask the House to sanction the dismissal of Dr. Featherston, probably giving him a large pension. Sir Julius Vogel would then become Agent-General and Stafford Premier. Mr. Holloway of the Agricultural Laborers’ Association, and Mr. Burton of Taranaki have been appointed Immigration Agents. Major Richmond also appointed Chairman of Committees in the Legislative Council. In the House of Representatives, the Native Minister moved in highly eulogistic terms that Mr. O’Rorke be Chairman of Committees. Sir George Grey seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. In reply to Mr. Rolleston, the Minister of Justice said, that the Government would take into consideration the whole question of the law relating to Friendly Societies. The Hon. Mr. Inglis moved the address in reply, and said he considered the progress of Public Works was tolerably satisfactory, and encouraging. He hoped it would be fairly remunerative, and thought the Government deserved great credit for the courage they showed by their attitude on the question of the Abolition of the Provinces. The Hon. Mr. May seconded. A long discussion took place on the motion of Mr. Swanson, for the postponement of the debate, injvhiuh several hon. members took part. Mr. Stafford declared his intention to support the Ministry through thick and thin. Sir George Grey spoke in favor of the postponement, thus .proving himself one of the best speakers and debaters in the House. His speech was clear, concisive, and forcible* The debate was finally adjourned till Friday. No Government Bills have yet been circulated. The Government will ask the House to go further than Mr. Vogel did on the Abolition Resolutions. Government Bill provides for the total abolition of all the Provinces. July 23. In the House of Representatives lust night, correspondence relative to the four million loan was laid on the table; nothing further of importance took place. The Legislative Council adjourned till Tuesday, after adopting the address in reply. A lively debate is expected to-night, in the Lower House, on the reply address.