PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 214, 20 August 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Per Press Association.) TUESDAY, AUGUST 10. Governor's Speech. The first session of the 9th Parliament of New Zealand was to-day opened by the Governor, when His Excellency was pleased to make the following speech :— Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, It affords me much pleasure to meet you again in Parliament assembled. I have recourse to your assistance as the arrangement, consequent on the retirement of the late Administration I have permitted. My advisers are of opinion that it is undesirable that questions of abstract policy should, at present, be dealt with further than circumstances render it imperatively necessary, and that concentrated attention should be given to many urgent matters relating to the material economy and industrial interests of the colony, as far as time will allow. It is proposed to deal with such matters during the session. Great importance is to be attached to improving the industrial resources of the Colony, prominent amongst which may be mentioned the mining interest, the promotion of settlement, and the advancement of local production and manufactures. It is of the first consequence that the country should possess satisfactory and sufficient industries. The subject requires very careful and comprehensive treatment, and little, in such direction, can be effected through the Customs tariff, which is already very high. The progress of public works also demand attention. It will be necessary to consider carefully the position of those now in progress with a view of determining how they shall be proceeded with. It

cannot prove economical to construct works in a manner so slow and fragmentary as to postpone indefinitely any return from money expended. On the other hand the colony must be careful to restrain the exercise of its borrowing powers within reasonable limits. My Ministers consider that a great deal of the pressure which is brought to bear on a Government to construct works in unprofitable fragments arises through the fear that if werks are delayed Parliamentary authority for them may be withdrawn, and are therefore of opinion that it would be expedient to determine that the public faith is pledged unless under very exceptional circumstances to the works which Parliament once sanctions. If this assurance be well understood, the various districts concerned will be contented to see works carried on in a manner compatible with early returns from the expenditure. My Ministers think that great care should ba exercised with regard to extending existing engagements. Some works already commenced require to be carried on

vigorously—such for example as the Otago Central Railway. The small lengths of line required to connect Napier with Palmerston North should also receive early attention. The authority to continue the Nelson line to Ro undell should be extended to connecting Nelson with the line between the East and West coasts of the Middle Island. The trunk system of the Island would then be nearly completed. The line to connect the East and West Coasts of the Middle Islands to which I have just referred is of great importance. My advisers will propose to you to endeavour in the first instance to procure its construction by aiding private enterprise. There is every reason for believing that the West Coast of the Middle Island possesses mineral resources of enormous value; indeed as regards coal and gold, the existence of such resources in highly remunerative conditions lias been proved. The proposed railway will greatly benefit the district, but

for the proper devolopinent of the capabilities of the West Coast other measures will be required whilst the railway works are in progress. I commend the whole subject to your earnest consideration. The completion of through railway communication between Auckland and Wellington is a Colonial work of vast importance which must be hastened to a conclusion with the utmost possible expedition. It will be proposed to you to appoint a select committee to report which route it would be most expedient to adopt, and authority will be asked to enable the State to acquire extensive blocks of land along the line of these railways. My advisers are of opinions that lands adjacent to this and other railways should be set apart for the settlement of a* large number uf families upon conditions calculated to ensure their p'roperity, the area for each family being limited. You will recognise that it is of great moment that the lands in the North Island that are now held by Natives should be put to productive use as readily as possible, either by the Natives themselves, or by Europeans. It is therefore very desirable that the best means of enabling the Natives to dispose of their lands when they desire to do so should be adopted ; but it will be useless to provide machinery for the sale or leasing of Native lands unless the Natives themselves are favourably inclined to make use of it. My Ministers, therefore, whilst considering that the present system has most objectionable features, propose to , postpone final legislation on the subject until ; next session. A temporary Act may possibly i

be necessary, but the object to be kept in view is to come to an understanding with Natives during the recess as to the plan which, while not inconsistent with the interests of the colony, will be must likely to lead to a result satisfactory to the Maori race. Plans will be submitted to you this session, if possible, for strengthening and improving the system of local government, by giving to local bodies larger duties, and an assured income. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives— Estimates of revenue and expenditure shall be laid before you with the least possible delay. My advisers are of opinion that the present expenditure for depart mental and other purposes may be considerably contracted. They consider it necessary to establish an equilibrium between expenditure and receipts. They greatly object to the present property tax, and will propose its repeal at the earliest moment practicable. They are favorable to an equal and moderate land tax, deducting from the value of the land improvements and a reasonable amount of exemption. The results of such a tax should as far as possible be localised in accordance with the proposal to strengthen local government. Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— My Ministers consider that the present management of the colonial railways is open to much amendment. A measure will be submitted to you to provide for Boards of Management in the Middle Islaiid and Auckland, subject to Parliament retaining control over the tariff of charges. Your attention will be called to the expediency of promoting trade and commercial relations with the South Sea Islands. Amongst the measures to be brought before you will be bills to improve the conditions under which married women may hold property, and to incorporate and place under adequate management the Life Insurance Department, with provisions for establishing local Boards elected by the policy holders. I commend to your most earnest attention the large interests confided to you, and earnestly hope that with the blessing of God, great advantages to the Colony may result from the discharge of your arduous duties.

Legislative Council.

After the Governor’s speech was read, various notices were given for the appointment of the usual sessional committees and the Council adjourned till 2.30 next day.

House of Representatives.

The House of Representatives met at 2 p.m. The members were summoned to the Legislative Assembly, where the Governor’s address was delivered. Notices of Motion. On re-assembling Mr. Shrimski gave notice that he would introduce a Bill to amend the Licensing Act. Sir George Grey to introduce a Bill for abolishing plurality of voting in the election of members for the House of Representatives. Mr. Barron that he would introduce a Bill to extend the hours for polling at elections for members of the House of Representatives. Mr. M. J. McKenzie (of Mount Ida), gave notice that ho would to-morrow, move an Address-in-Reply to the Governor’s speech. Sir Julius Vogel. Sir Julius Vogel, who was allowed to retain his seat while speaking, and who was heard indistinctly, said the step the late Government had taken in not resigning till the House met after the late general elections was. a very wise one, as it would have been difficult to form an administration unless a large number of members wore present in Wellington. Therefore, the course that had been pursued was a proper one. The speech brought down from the Throne comprehended the policy of the Government; therefore, it was not necessary for him to speak at any length on that point, but he would leave the policy to the speech which spoke for itself. On Saturday His Excellency commissioned him to form an administration, and on the following Saturday they were sworn in, and were approved by His Excellency. It was unnecessary for him to add more than that his health would not permit of his taking the Premiership, but had he been inclined to take that position, it would have resulted in considerable delay, as it would necessarily take up much of the time which should be devoted to the preparation of the financial statement. It was not necessary for him to go further into that question. On all points of practical politics they were agreed, the best proof of which was to be found in the fact that although they were only sworn in on Saturday last, they had been able to bring down the speech from the Throne and transact business on the Tuesday following. The Premier then moved that the House adjourn fill to-morrow at 2.30. The House rose at 2.55.