THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Southland Times, Volume VII, Issue 523, 20 July 1866, Page 3

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. In a previous issue "we commented upon the Address of his Excellency the G-overnor Sir George Grey at the opening of the fourth Parliament of New Zealand, from telegraphic information ; we now public the Speech in full : — On Tuesday 3rd July, his Escelleny Sir George Grey, the Governor, opened the Assembly in person. A brilliant assemblage of ladies and gentlemen were present in the Upper House as spectators. Among the ladies were Lady Monro and party, Mrs. Domett and party, Mrs. A. J. Richmond and party. The Governor and suite entered at two o'clock, and his Excelleac} r delivered the following speech : — Honorable Lkg-istattve CottxcitJjOtis, Gentlemen of the House op Heprboentatives, I have taken the earliest opportunity of resorting to your advice and assistance after the dissolution of the late Parliament. The increase in the number of the members of the House of Representatives, which has taken place under the Act which came iuto operation on the occasion of the recent general election, will, I trust, give additional weight to the deliberations of the Legislature, and .afford more ample means than has hitherto existed for the duo representation in Parliament of all interests in the colony. It is with great satisfaction that I am enabled to inform you of the all but complete cessation of disturbances in those portions of the Northern Island which had previously been disaffected. By the expedition of Geueral Chute on the West Coast important results have been attained. Our prestige has been restored, and the Maoris have been convinced that the British soldier, when properly led, can follow thetn to their fastnesses, and is nowhere to be successfully resisted. Recent occurrences have, however, proved, that this campaign, — so ably conceived, and so gallantly and vigorously conducted — has not sufficed, owing to its abrupt termination, to secure the tranquility of that district ; nevertheless, a valuable service has been rendered by tho Major- General to the colony and to the empire. The unbroken success which has attended the operations on the East Coast, of her Majesty's Colonial Forces, largely aided by loyal natives, has resulted in the surrender or capture of most of the hostile natives. My Government has eagerly watched for, and gladly accepted every indication on the part of any of these natives, of a desire to live peaceably with their fellow-subjects, and with the view of removing any cause of irritation, the larger portion of those who had been taken in arms had been restored to liberty ; while at the same, the more prominent ringleaders have been temporarily removed to the Chatham Islands, and those who had been guilty of wanton and unprovoked murders, committed in cold blood, have been dealt with by the ordinary civil tribunals. 3 y perseverance in. a policy of kindness and consideration towards the well-dis-posed, and of firmness towards the terr-u---ient, her Majesty's native subjects will be assured of the advantages to be derived from habits of order, and a respect for law, while they will also recognise that acts of violence cannot be practised with impunity. While congratulating you on this improved condition of a large portion of the country, which had been a cause of much anxiet} r and embarrassment, it must not be overlooked that there yet remain districts with respect to which it will be necssary that you should provide, for a time, a sufficient force to repress outrage, and maintain her Majesty's authority. As her Majesty's regular forces have left, or are leaving the colony as fast as the means of transport can be procured, it is imperative that no delay should take place in making this provision. The commencement of the mail service, by way of Panama, cannot but be a subject of gratification and legitimate pride to the people of New Zealand, who in common with the inhabitants of the neighboring colony of New South Wales, have long recognised the advantages which would result from this addition to their means of postal communication. The extension of telegraphic communication within the colony, by means of the electric sable shortly to be laid across Cook's Strait, will also conduce to the progress of the country aud the development of its resources. Measures will be taken as early possible for continuing this ineanß of communication throughout the Northern Island. The continued increase in the produce of goldfields has caused a corresponding increase in tne population and revenue ot the colony, has largely added to its commerce and wealth, and has tended to maintain that progressive advance for which New Zealand has boen remarkable, GrENTLEMKN OF THE HOUSE 03? EEPliiiSEXTATIVKS. You will find that a rigid economy has been exercised in the expenditure of the supplies voted for the public sendees last session. A careful regard for economy will also regulate the preparation ot the Estimates to be submitted to you for the ensuing financial year. The public accounts of the colony will be laid before you. The recent disposal of a large portion of the loan authorised to be raised for the service of the colony is evidence of an increasing confidence in the value of the colonial securities, which had been temporarily depressed by the operation of a variety of causes, amongst which may especially be instanced the manner in which some of the provincial loans have been dealt with. You will be invited to consider how this injury to the credit, | alike of the colony and of the provinces, ' may be obviated for the future.

la conueotion with this gubjadtr&ud ai a ffieaua of improving the iloaneial con* difcion oi the country, the propriety fo? enabling the several existing debts of Hew Zealand to be consolidated, on certain conditions, should also be considered. Proposals for a revision of the Tariff, which has long been demanded, will be submitted for your consideration, as also the question of providing an additional source of revenue by means of Stamp Duties. To maintain and improve the credit of the country will be at all time 3 an object of solicitude to my G-overnment, in promoting which I look with confidence to your zealous co-operation. Honorable G-entleiieh aud Q-enxlemen, In accordance with an intimation made last session, I have appointed a Commission to enquire into the uositiou. of the Civil Service, which would promote the efficiency of the service, and conduce to economy in the public expenditure. The report of this Commission will shortly be laid before you. Measures for improving the administration of justice, and on other subjects oi' importance, will be submitted for your approval. In these and all other matters which may claim your attention, I pray that Divine Providence may guide your labors, so that they may conduce to the happiness and prosperity of the people of New Zealand. His Excellenc} 1 ", and the members of the Lower House having withdrawn, The Speaker assumed the chair. The Clerk read the minutes of the formal opening by commission of the Assembly on Saturday last, which were confirmed.