LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM. ELECTORAL LAWS. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID. PROPERTY TAX BILL.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 379, 22 June 1889, Page 5

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM. ELECTORAL LAWS. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID. PROPERTY TAX BILL.

The third session of the 10th Parliament of .New Zealand was this day opened by the Governor, when His Excellency was pleased to make the following speech :—: —

Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen ox the House of Representatives, — Ib affords me great pleasure to meet you in Parliament assembled so soon after my assumption of the government of the colony. The period which has elapsed since my arrival has been too short to permit of my visiting the various parts of the .colony so as to enable me to take a comprehensive view of its capabilities and resources, but what I have seen has favourably impressed me during my stay in Auckland and my overland journey to this city, and while I have resided here I have noted with grati- , fication the variety and extent ot the natural wealth of this island, and the energy and industry which have been displayed in promoting the work of colonisation. I have also been much gratified by the cordial and loyal reception which has been given to me as Her Majesty s representative at this and other places which I have visited. It is alike uiy privilege and my pleasure on this the occasion of my tirst meeting yon to be able to congratulate the colony upon a much improved condition of affaiis. Tne efforts which have been made to reduce the co3f) of administering the government and to increase the public revenue have fortunately been successful. lam glad to be able to state that the reductions have in the opinion of my Ministers been effected without in any way impairing the efficiency of the public service, while my advisers claim for you and for themselves a part in bringing about this result, and they recognise that it is greatly due to the happy change which has been going on in the circumstances of the counti*y that the increase in the value and volume of many of its products has made the task of retrenchment easier while it has had the effect of adding to the revenue. There are encouraging signs that the improvement which has taken place will continue. The higher prices which have been obtained for its chief exports, while adding to the capital and increas ing the income of the country, are restoring the confidence in its resources, which for a time seemed to have been almost lost by many colonists. This is shown not only be "the large amount of capital expended in industries which have been found remunerative, but in the extent of land which has been purchased from the Crown and in parts of the colony from large owners who have subdivided their holdings into convenient areas, and offered them for sale. A large addition has thus been made to the land brought into useful occupation. confidence is being restored among colonists, and a renewed vigour shown in promoting our industries, New Zealand is coming to be regarded with greater favour by persons outside the colony who are in search of a home or of a place of resort for recreation and health. Judged, too, by the value of its securities in the London market, the colony'scredit has from month to month during the past year steadily advanced in England. "My Government while restricting unremnneiative expenditure ha^e recognised the advantage of a judicious outlay of money in developing the resources of the country as occasion required. They have therefore, in pursuance of the authority given by you, let for construction such works as they believed were likely either directly or indirectly to be remunerative. Detailed information on this subject will be laid before you. One of the most pleasing manifestations of the increased confidence of the people in the colony's future is furnished by the determination of the inhabitants of Otago to hold in Dunedin an exhibition of industries and fine arts and by the favourable response which they have received from other parts of the colony to their invitation to join in the undertaking. My advisers regard the enterprise as one likely to have a beneficial effect generally, and you will therefore be asked to sanction an arrangement which has been entered into by them to as sist in bringing the Exhibition to a successful issue. During tne recess my Government . have brought into operation "The Government Railways ( Act, 1887," and have placed the railways under the management of three locally appointed officers. After, careful inquiry my advisers came to the, conclusion that it was impossible to get fiom abroad, for the salary which was authorised or indeed for any salary which they were prepared to ask you to vote, a Chief Commissioner to whom they considered they would' be justified in trusting.thegreat powers vested in thatofficer while on the other, hand their experience of Mr MclVerrpw pointed to his being a person well qualified to fill' the office. My ad vigors believe . thac their choice ,of commis; sioners will be justified by results. The sales of public land within the oolony

haye v been» v^fy : satisfactory both as l t6 the quantity disposed of and the class of persons who have acquired it. i ,-Much^of the land has been taken up in Bm'airareas and by persons 'who' are making their homes upon it. , The sales of runs which have lately itakeii place show that there there is 'increased confidence in the great industry of wool growing. My Ministers are -confident that by careful administration and by taking advantage ' at seasonable times of opportunities for opening up the country New Zealand will soon be made to occupy that prominence as a home for 1 a thriving population which her position, climate, and resources fit her to attain.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, — The estimates of the revenue and ex-, penditure for the current year wull be brought before you at an early date, when they will I have no doubt receive, your careful consideration. The estimates, of expenditure have been prepared with a due regard to economy.

Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, — There will be laid before you for your consideration^ number of Bills dealing with matters of great public interest. My advisers are of opinion that the time has arrived when alterations should be made in the constitution of the Legislative Council. They ?*egard the present mode, of appointing members and their appointment for life as unsatisfactory, and not in keeping with the rest of our constitution. A Bill will therefore be submitted for your consideration, making alterations in these and other respects My advisers are also ot opinion that the time . has come when the laws regulating the election of members of 'the House of Representatives should be reviewed and a new departure taken. A Bill will be submitted for your consideration which will provide for a mode of election ' founded upon what is commonly known as the Hare system. The Bill will also amend the qualification required forelectors, make new prevision as to the mode of registration, and provide a more effective means of purifying the rolls. My advisers believe that these and the other provisions which the Bill contains will render it possible for the public will to be expressed by election. My advisers believe that until a measure classitying fche civil servants and providing for their promotion and remuneration upon defined principles shall have been passed into law, the Civil Service can never be placed on a proper footing. They also believe that this question is intimately connected with the economical carrying on of all public departments, and they have therefore prepared a Bill dealing with the whole question. A subject which has been found difficult to deal with in all countries — that of the management of hospitals and — the distribution of charitable aid has engaged much public attention throughout the colony. A Bill has been prepared in accordance with what my advisers believe to be the principles which have been found by experience to ensure relief of deserving persons and at the same time to avoid the danger of increasing the evil which is incident to indiscriminate aid. Your careful and patient consideration will be asked for this difficult subject. My advisers have had' the property tax under their earnest consideration. While the state ot the colony's finances rendei's it impossible to forego any considerable part of the revenue derivable from this tax they recognise that some of the provisions of the Property Assessment Acts ought to be amended with a view to removing objections which experience has shown can reasonably be made to them. There will therefore be submitted to you a Bill dealing with this important matter. Among- other measures there will be presented to you for consideration, Bills dealing with the law of copyright in New Zealand, for consolidating and amending the iaw relating to patents and trade marks, for regulating the registration of medical practitioners and constituting a medical council, for improving the mode of registering transfers of personal property, and consolidating and amending the law of bankruptcy. I commend all these matters to your careful consideration, and 1 assure you of my earnest desire to cooperate with you in your efforts to promote the welfaie and prospeiity of the colony and I pray that your labours may by the blessing of God conduce to the well being and the happiness of its inhabitants.