OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 483, 25 June 1890, Page 4

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. Wellington, June 19. The fourth session of the tenth Parliament ( of New Zealand was this day opened by the Governor, when His Excellency was pleased o make the following speech Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives. It gives me much pleasure again to meet you in Parliament assembled. When I first met you, shortly after my assumption of the Government, I had time only for a hurried journey through the North Island, but I expressed my gratification at what I had then seen, and at the manner in which I had been received as Her Majesty’s representative. I have now visited the four centres, and have had the advantage of residing for some months in three of the principal cities. The experience which I have obtained in the couxse of my journey through many different parts of the colony, has enabled me to take a more comprehensive view of its capabilities. I have been greatly pleased with the abundance of its resources, with the beauty of its scenery, and with the enterprise and industry of its inhabitants. I have also been much gratified by the manner in which I have been welcomed in every place which I have visited, and with the loyalty exhibited by the people to Her Majesty the Queen and to the Empire. The New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition proved a greater success than was . anticipated by the most sanguine, while its conception, accomplishment and management reflected special credit upon the enterprise and ability of its originators, and of the citizens of Dunedin. The manner in which it was supported by those living in other parts Fof the colony evidenced the power of the inhabitants to cooperate in a great undertaking. The splendid display of natural products, of arts, manufactures and minerals, must have had a great educating influence upon the inhabitants of the colony, while at the same time it has enabled visitors to form some idea of our natural wealth and of the energy and industry of our people. In the very successful demonstrations which were held in Wellington and Auckland for the purpose of celebrating the completion oi the fiftieth year of the existence of New Zealand as a part of the Empire, I was greatly impressed with the marvellous progress which the colony had made, with the large proportion of healthy and happy children who were prominently put forward to join in the celebration, with the orderly behaviour of the great crowds of people consequent without doubt on the high standard of comfort and prosperity enjoyed by all classes, and with the patriotic love 1 for the colony entertained by those who have made it their home. It affords me much pleasure to be able to congratulate you upon the evidences which during last year were afforded of the substantial progress made in the circumstances of the colony. The provision made during last session for carrying on the public services has proved more than sufficient. It is satisfactory to note that while there has been an increase of revenue it has been in items which show that a further advance has been made in productive pursuits ; while the stationary condition of other items show that there has been no departure from the temperate habits of the people. The volume of exports has still further increased, and while the value of some, notably flax, has unfortunately declined, that of others remains fairly satisfactory. My Ministers will place before you information which will show that the productiveness of the colony is enlarged, that notwithstanding the increased expenditure of capital which must have been incurred in making productive the additional area of land acquired during the year by private persons,the position of colonists, so far as their private indebtedness is concerned, has greatly improved,, and that there has been a satisfactory addition to the funds held by the Savings Banks and the Insurance Departments. The waste lands 'of the Crown have during the past year been settled at a satisfactory rate of progress. My Ministers have endeavoured to afford to selectors as wide a choice as the nature of the land now held by the Crown would admit. Statements will be placed before you to show that this has resulted in the settlement of a large area of land, and I am glad to be able to inform you that the increase in the number of agricultural holdings vyas last year greatly in excess of that during any previous year of the colony s history. While my advisers are gratified at the substantial progress which has been made in the productions of the colony, and with the advance of settlement,they believe that still greater progress can be made if more adequate meansare provided for opening up land in advance of settlement by means of roads, and for acquiring native land. They will therefore submit for your consideration proposals for effecting these objects. During the recess, General Edwards, an officer who holds an important position in the Imperial Army and a high place in the estimation of competent authorities, visited this and the other colonies of Australasia, in order to ascertain and report upon the condition of efficiency of the colonial forces. He has furnished me with a valuable and exhaustive report upon our defences, our Permanent Corps and our Volunteers, and has made many suggestions as to the best means of rendering them efficient. The report has received the careful consideration of my Ministers, who will submit for your approval a scheme which they believe will, if carried out, provide for the defence of the colony against any attack which is likely in case of war to be made on it. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives. The estimates of revenue and expenditure will be laid before you. The estimates of expenditure have been prepared with a due regard for economy, and the increased demand for schoolhouses and other public buildings has been considered. In the opinion of my advisers it will be necessary for at least two years to make exceptional provision for these purposes. They believe that such expenditure should be provided for out of revenue, and votes for these purposes will .be found in the estimates.

Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.

During the year, propositions were submitted by the Government of New South Wales for holding a conference of delegates from the various colonies of Australasia in order to consider the question of creating one federal Government. Recognising the magnitude of the subjects which were to be discussed, and the importance of cultivating close and friendly relations with the other colonies, I consented to accredit the Hon. Captain Russell and the Hon. Sir J. Hall to attend on behalf of the colony. The meeting took place in Melbourne, during the month of February, when matters of the greatest moment were discussed. The report of the proceedings will be laid before you, and you will be asked to ratify the arrangement entered into for the appointment of delegates to attend a meeting of representatives of the colonies to be held this year. Proposals were some time since submitted by the Imperial Government to my Ministers, inviting the colony to enter into an arrangement by which the rate of postage to Europe would be reduced to 2£ per letter. My advisers were unable po agree to these proposals inasmuch as they would have entailed a serious loss of revenue unless changes were made in the mail systems which they could not withontyoursanction effect. You will be asked to discuss the matter, and to agree to a proposition which, if adopted, will, without causing a burden to the revenue, greatly reduce the cost of postage to the United Kingdom and other countries. Returns will be laid before you from which you will learn that there has been during the year a large increase in all branches of traffic upon the railways, affording another evidence of a steady advance in the productive power of the colony. There are now ready for your consideration Bills for consolidating and amending the law relating to the qualification and registration of electors and providing for the issue of electoral rights, dealing with the Civil Service, amending the law with regard to Hospitals and Charitable Aid, amending the Counties Act, altering and consolidating the Law of Bankruptcy, and providing for Local Government on the West Coast of the South Island, as well as other Bills dealing with matters of public interest these Bills will shortly be placed before you. During the recess a Commission was appointed for the purpose of considering how far the evil which has been termed “sweating” had affected New Zealand. The thanks of the country are . due to the members composing the Commission for the ability, industry, and card with which they conducted their inquiries and treated the matters which were referred to them. My Government, although gratified to learn from their report that the “ sweating ” had not fully taken root, agreed with the Commissioners that an amendment of the law is necessary. Bills therefore dealing with the questions referred to in the report and other cognate subjects will be submitted for your consideration. I commend all these masters to your careful attention, and I assure you of my earnest desire to cooperate with you in endeavouring to further the interests of the colony. I pray that your deliberations may by the blessing of God promote the wellbeing of its inhabitants.

LADY ONSLOW AND THE OPENING.

Lady Onslow will not be present at the opening of Parliament. This has robbed the ceremony of a certain amount of eclctt, and has caused more heart-burning in Wellington. Her ladyship and family are at Lowry Bay, where they have practically resided ever since they returned from Auckland, for notwithstanding the large expenditure in improving the" sanitation of Government House the family appear inclined to reside there as little as possible, having in memory the recollections of the outbreak of typhoid there. Little doubt exists but that at the close of the session the Governor and family will either return to Auckland or go to Dunedin. The reason for Lady Onslow’s absence from the ceremony this afternoon is ascribed to inclement weather, drizzling rain having fallen all the morning.

THE OPENING CEREMONY. The opening ceremony was of the most formal and uninteresting character. Lord Onslow on arrival at Parliamentary Buildings was honoured with the customary vice-regal salute. The Wellington Guards furnished the Guard of Honour, and the Garrison Band played the National Anthem. The ceremony outside was watched by a large crowd of people. His Excellency having entered the Chamber of the Legislative Council, the members of the House of Representatives were summoned, and the speech from the throne was read by the Governor, as previously wired. Only a dozen members of the Legislative Council and forty-five members of the House of Representatives were present. The attendance of the public was rather meagre. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Immediately after the opening ceremony the members of the House met for the transaction of business, Sir M. O’Rorke (Speaker) in the chair. The Speaker announced the resignation of Major Campbell as Clerk of the House, after a period of 35 years’ service, and made some highly eulogistic remarks on the able manner in which the duties of this office had been discharged. He also announced the appointment of Mr Friend, formerly Clerk’s assistant, to the vacant position, and of Mr Otterson as Clerk’s assistant. The Premier gave notice of motion recording the appreciation in which Major Campbell is held by the members. KERMADEC SETTLERS STARVING. Sir George Grey presented a petition from Harry Howell, an inhabitant of Sunday Island, Kermadecs, making a claim on the Government for £BSO compensation to cover loss sustained owing to the alleged misrepresentation by the Government officers. In a letter to Sir George Grey, accompanying the petition, it was stated that several of the settlers of Sunday Island could not survive the winter unless they received speedy assistance. Another petition was presented by Mr Cadman trom Charles Binney, of Hikutaia, praying to be allowed £63 Os 7d, alleged loss sustained owing to the neglect of the Native Office in the registration of a certain transfer. HOURS OF LABOUR. Sir George Grey gave notice of his intention to introduce next sitting day a Bill to define the hours of labour within the colony. PROPERTY TAX. Mr Taylor, of Sydenham, gave notice of motion “ That the property tax is inimical to the best interests of the people, retards settlement of outlying lands of the colony, and prevents investment of capital and the establishment of industries throughout the colony.”

CONTAGIOUS DISEASES ACT. Sir George Grey gave notice of his intention to move the repeal of the Act of 1869. OLD SOLDIERS’ CLAIMS. Mr Taylor asked the Minister for Defence without notice whether he had received any report from the Commissioners dealing with old soldiers’ and volunteers’ claims, and, if not, whether he would do his best to have the reports laid on the table of the House, with the view to some steps being taken by Parliament to deal with these claims during the present session. Captain Russell replied that he had not lost sight of the interests of old soldiers during the recess, and would take care the necessary inquiries were made, so as to enable a report to be presented before the end of the session. BILLS.

Notice was given of a number of Bills, including the Hospital and Charitable Aid Act Amendment Bill (Buchanan), Divorce Act Amendment Bill (Samuel), Auckland Harbour Board Empowering Bill (Peacock), Cattle Bill, Sheep Bill, and others of minor importance.

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION. 1 A return has been presented showing the results of teachers’ and civil servants’ examinations held in January in sixteen centres. The total cost was £647 16s Bd. The fees received totalled £631 2s 6d, and the not cost to the Department was £l6 14s 2d. NATIVE SCHOOLS. A return presented by the Minister of Education showed that there were 75 native schools in operation at the beginning of the year, and this number had been reduced to 72. It was also stated that the Auckland Board does not see its way to undertake the management of the native schools within its district except on condition of a special capitation rate higher than the statutory capitation allowed in ease of public schools. being granted. The expenditure for salaries and allowances for the year were £11,857, and other expenditure £497. The number of children in attendance at the end of the year was 2,462, and the average attendance 2,045. SAMOA. The Premier laid on the table a report 011o 11 federation and annexation, which contains the following clause: It must be admitted that the German authorities in Samoa might have carried out the policy of concession, imposed upon them by the conference, in a less churlish manner. It would be unfair to blame the Government at Berlin for the ungracious attempt to prevent Malietoa from obtaining the enthusiastic popular reception arranged by the people to whom he had been restored. This attempt after all was only partly successful, and Malietoa’s reception was such as to remove all doubt concerning his popularity informally, but none the less plainly. His return has been recognised as a victory of British and American sympathies in the interests of the country. FRANCE AND NEW HEBRIDES. The Premier also laid before the House a voluminous correspondence on the reported intention of France to annex the New Hebrides, the concluding communication being from the Agent-General, Sir Dillon Bell, to this effect: “There is not the least danger of France annexing these islands, for such a step would be in contravention of the recent agreement between the French and English Governments. As to libreres from New Caledonia going to New Hebrides, the Agent-General had always felt that there was very great risk, but it was not clear how this could be prevented.” JOTTINGS. Mr Fisher moves for further correspondence relative to the Gasparini escape. The proposed Cattle Bill will provide diseases of stock being dealt with without quarantining. The Sheep Bill will give inspectors power to deal with scab without the existing formalities.

The statement of the Postal Savings Bank shows the total deposits £2,191,451, a larger sum than was ever before recorded, but the amount per head is £24 2s lid less than last year. The Education Report states that there was an increase in the number of children attending the State schools. The “ normal ” attendance for the year was 115,456, an increase of 2,771 ; the aggregate salaries was £295,237, and the number of teachers 3 058.

Mr Macgregor will act as senior Government whip, and will have the assistance of Mr Cowan.

The Kaihu Railway Commissioners recommend that as the colony is liable under a guarantee of £47,000 in debentures at 5 per cent., the Government should, in terms of the mortgage deed, realise the railway property by offering it for sale, and failing sale, that the line should only be worked on condition that the owners of the Kauri Forest agree to an early conversion of their timber and so create traffic ; otherwise the rails and rolling stock to be removed, in which case it is estimated that £IO,OOO of the £47,000 might be recovered, but that in no case should the completion of the line be undertaken at the expense of the colony.