THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Southland Times, Issue 1310, 20 September 1870, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

The following is the speech delivered by his Excellency: the G-overnor in proroguing Parliament : — • Honorable Legislative , ; Councillors and ( Gentlemen of the House ' of Eepre- • \ sentatives,— 'I thank you for the ; assiduity- with which, you have devoted yourselves to the : consideration, of the affairs of the country, and the care you ; have bestowed onJ the

various important subjects to which I invited your attention at the commencement of the session. ■ Jr: -»;v"":>"I Bincerely hope that the largemeasures you have passed for the-purpose.of promoting public works, encouragmsj immigration, and developing the resources of the country, will be the means of reviving that spirit of colonisation whichr led to the foundation of this Colony, and, which must be'the basis of its future (prosperity. When I consider how small apportion of the country has yet been colonised, and how small a population-occupies ifc^-t canridt fail to observe thstthe responsibility of great works restsnot only on this, but on future generations. By. measures of such a character as those you lately passed, the redundant capital and population of the' parent country can be made available for the supply of the wants of the Colony. An essential feature of these measure* is the beneficial influence which they will necessarily have on the peace of, the country, and the settlement of the Native difficulty. To both races it must be a source of profound gratification that you determined to continue an essentially peaceful policy, and I congratulate you on the disposition which the Natives evidence to reciprocate your conciliatory intentions. The presence of her Majesty's ships of war on this station has had a beneficial effect, "and "the services of Commodore Lambert, C.8., and the officers and men under his command, are recognised throughout the Colony with gratitude. Q-entlemen of the House of Eepresenta : tiv.es,--" ■;■''■ - I thank you for the supplies which you have granted for the public service of the year. They shall be administered with all due care. Honorable Legislative . Councillors; and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— I cannot but congratulate you on the friendly feeling towards New Zealand which the Commissioners sent to Great Britain to communicate with the Imperial Government have Succeeded in establishing. The adoption of Torrens's system of land transfer, which has for some years past worked with great success in South Australia and other neighboring colonies, wul no doubt be attended here with the same advantages as elsewhere.. It will simplify the complicated laws relating! to landed estate, which it will make as^ easily transferable as any other - species of property. Although apparently a mere administrative improvement, this 'measure really embodies a great social and economical reform. The Act which provides for the use of the ballot in elections of members of the House of Representatives and the Provincial Councils, will> I hope, prove a useful measure in facilitating the taking of votes, and securing the franchise from abußß. I congratulate you on your de3ire to increase the trade of the Colony and extend its connection with the rest of the world, as evidenced by your making provision for a mail service to England via San Erancisco, and by several measures of importance which you passed during the session. ; • The Act for re-uniting the provinces of Otas^> and Southland, and - that for readjusting the financial relations of the Colony and the Provinces, afford proof of the elasticity of the existing institutions of the country, and the readiness with which modifications to suit the change of circumstances can be effected. ' . '■ I I am sure you will join me in deploring the intelligence just received of ' the commencement of a great European war, and in hoping that it will be soon brought to a close, and that the friendly relations of Great Britain with foreign countries may not be imperilled. In releasing you from your labors, I will express the hope that under the blessing of God they may be found the means of advancing the prosperity of the country,' consolidating the peaceful ■relations between the two races which in- j habit it, and promoting their general] welfare. ..