THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECHWellington, May 13.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 155, 22 May 1886, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECHWellington, May 13.

The third session of the ninth Parliament of Now Zealand Avas this day opened by the Governor, when His Excellency was pleased to mako the following speech :— Hon. Gentlemen of tue Legislative Council and Gentlemen op the House of Representatives,—lt affords mo much pleasure to meot you thus early in Parliament assembled The year which is now passing will bo memo rable throughout tho British dominions as that on which our gracious Sovereign enters on tho 50th year of her reign. You will, I feel assured, desire to prove that the subjects of this most distant part of Her Majesty's possessions share eqxially with Her Majesty's subjects in other parts of tho world, tho highost appreciation of the great results of her long and beneficent reign. You will bo asked, to consider the most suitable way of showing on behalf of tho pooplo of New Zealand, their affection and duty to tho person of the Sovoroign, their love and loyalty to tho Crown, their sense of gratification at belonging to a realm enjoying a sway so benignant, and their clesiro to see the bonds which unite every portion of Her Majesty's vast empire confiimed and strengthened. It is particularly appropriate to such a year that I am ablo to announce to you that in the opinion of my ministers there has never been a time when tho relations between Her Majesty's European and Maori subjects have been of so friendly a character. Tho Maoris are evincing an intelligent interest in colonising operations, and cordially recognising the laws of the colony. They show this excellent disposition by tho readiness with which they are seeking OroA> n titles for large areas of country through which tho Northern Trunk Railway will pass, and by their A\illingnoss to part with land to tho Government for purposes of for settlement along that line of railway. Negotiations for such lands are, in the opinion of my advisers, proceeding satisfactorily, and with due regard to the necessity ot a sufficient quantity being retained by tho Maoris for their own use. You will be asked to amend the law relating to the disposal ot native lands in the direction which appears to my ministers best adapted to do justice to the Maori owners, and hasten the occupation and settlement of the country. Public works have been proceeded Avith as rapidly as the means placed at the disposal of the Government permitted. Proposals A\ill bo laid before you for continuing railway and other public Avorks on a scale consistent Avith the circumstances of the colony, and in the manner most calculated to secure a sound economical result*. Ncav Zealand is suffering from the depression that appears to prevail throughotit the Avorld, but Avhich is affecting this colony much less than other colonies becaube of its tjreat resources. My advisers arc of opinion that this depression ratner than tending to discourage the energies of the people should lead them to additional exertions and that if concurrently with progress of railAvays abundant opportunity be giA en settlers to occupy and cultiA ate tho lands in farms of a reasonable size, farmers from other countries Avill bo attracted to the colony and materially aid its progrc&a. In calling your attention to gracious compliments Avhich Her Majesty paid to the colonies and India by opening the exhibition devoted to their products, and to the gratitudo of the colonies and India owe to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales for the untiring exeitions which have led to the success of the Exhibition. I am glad to be ablo to say that my Minis ters have used utmost endeavours to secure for this colony an adequate representation.

Gextlemex ok the House of Represextai tives— The estimates of revenue and expenditure for the currant year will bo laid before you. My advisers fully recognise the importance o keeping down the expenditure to the lowest limit consistent with meeting tho require ments of the public service and the wants ot the country. The finances of the colony arc in a sound condition and gratifying progress is being made ith the conversion ot the loans. The San Francisco mail service has been re-established at a cost -within the authority which you gave by resolution. It is gratifying that the contract should have been taken by a New Zealand company on behalf of itself and a powerful Am< rican steamship organisation. It is equally grtitifjing that New South Wales joins in the arrangement, and that assistance is received from the Government of tne United States.

Honourable Gentlemen ok the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives. Whilst giving attention to the undertakings which it is desirable the Colony should cany out, it is not to be forgotten that the works constructed by local bodies are of essential importance towards promoting and extending the settlement o£ the lands. A measure will bo placed before you dealing with the finance of local bodies, and enlarging their powers of directly managing their own affairs. My ministers view with satisfaction the disposition which is being shown to develop local resources in the Colony, including those of the mines, the forest, and the fisheries. It is of infinite importance to recognise and take advantage of the natural wealth of N.Z. and to encourage the prosecution of industries of a varied character. My advisers place great faitb. in operation of a policy which embraces the points of prosecuting local industries, and thus affording abundant occupation to the population, promoting settlement by liberal land laws, constructing railways with a view to opening the country, aiding tho progress of settlement, and speedily securing satisfactory economical results, placing local bodies in a position to open roads, and do other useful works, giving to the mining population liberal facilities, and tho establishing of friendly relations with the Maories. Tbe arrangement for the construction of the Midland Railway, under authority conceded by Parliament, is in the opinion of my advisers a matter of hearty rejoicing. Some points of a not material nature will have to be submitted for the ratification of Parliament. The attention of my Ministers has been constantly directed to questions relating to the South Sea Islands. "Whilst recognising the importrnt interest New Zealand has in these matters, they have carefully avoided exceeding the authority with which Parliament has endowed them. Papers on tho subject will bo presented. Bills will bo submitted to you to consolidate the laws relating to crimes, municipalities, volunteers, and mines ; to establish a parcels post system, and to amend tho Charitable Aid and Hospitals Act. I commend to your attention tho business that will come before you, and earnestly hope your labours will, under blessing of God, bo attended with good to the Colony.