OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1119, 16 June 1883, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Parliament was opeued last Thurs day. Only 15 members of the Legisla tive Council, and 26 members of the House of Representatives were present. Owing to the pressure on our space we are obliged to condense the Governor's speech. He refered to his visits to various parts of the colony, and spoke ot witnessing signs of progress everywhere. He had been very much gratified by the expressions of loyalty to the Queen with which he was everywhere greeted, more especially by the hearty welcome given him by the natives. In compliance with a telegram from the Government of Victoria to his advisers, ho had telegraphed to llio Secretary of State, for the Colonies expressing his full concurrence in establishing British rule over thb New Hebrides and other Pacific Islands. On Tuesday I fist a telegram was received from the Agent-General stating that Lord Derby would promote the views of the ColonieH, provided assurance of the necessary expenses were given. He also referred at some length lo the friendly tone of Native affairs, and naid that amendments to existing Land Acts would be introduced with the view of distributing the land amongst a numerous and industrious population. He also referred to immigration having been resumed, nnd to the improvements in goldfiekls, which were becoming a permanent source of wealth. No tenders for steam communication having been received, the subject would be brought bafore the attention of Parliament, The revenue had been well maintained ; the increase in railway returns being satisfactory evidence of the progress of the colony The frequent application to take part in exhildtionsliad led the Government to the conclusion tliat the establishment of a permanent exhibition of colonial products in London wculd best promote the object sought- Resolutions with the view of securing the co-operation of the other colonies would be submitted. Th« time had arrived when an elective instead of a nominated Legislative Council was necessary, and the views of the Government on t at subject would be laid ffefore them. The present session would, he hoped, afford a convenient time for dealing with measures which had to he shelved during the last two sessions {Several Bills consolidating the statutes of New Zealand would be laid before Parliament. He concluded with the usual prayer that the blessing of God would be with their deliberations.

Amongst the notices of motion tabled were one by Sir George Grey that the Land Tax should be imposed!, another to enable the people to change their constitution ; another to facilitate the annexation of the Islands of the Pacific, another providing tint the Legislature shall consist of the Governor and House of Repiesentatives, and several amendments to existing statutes. Mr Montgomery to move the abolition of the Property lax. A paragraph from the report of the commission re Middle Island Railway Extension Committee is as follows: — " In conclusion, while we cunnot recommend the present prosecution of a main trunk line northwards from Canterbury, we feel it our duty io state that no line hitherto proposed or suggested seems to offer at the present time fewer disadvantages thau the one by the East Coast.'