TEMUKA PARLIAMENTARY UNION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1350, 2 July 1885, Page 2

TEMUKA PARLIAMENTARY UNION.

The ceremony of opening the Parliamentary Union of Temuka took place last Tuesday evening. About 20 members were present. Owing to unforseen circumstances, the programme had to. be altered. Mr A. M. Clark was unable to attend, and it was arranged that, in his absence, Dr Hayes should act as Governor. A short time before the proceedings com* menced, however, Dr Hayes was called away, and did not reach the Mechanics' Institute until 9 o'ctock. In the meantime the ceremony had been gone on with, Mr W. Ash well, senr., having kindly consented to act as Governor. On the motion of the Premier, Mr R. P. Aspinall took the chair, and asked the House to elect a Speaker.

The Premier then moved that Mr K. F. Gray, Member for Coromandel, be Speaker of.the House. He urged that the hon. gentleman possessed the qualities necessary for the position of Speaker. I The Member for Rodney (Mr Hargreaves), representing the Opposition,"" seconded the motion. The mover and seeonder of the motion then led the Speaker to the chair. The arrival of Hia Excellency the Governor was then announced. His Excellency read the following speech : Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,—lt affords me great pleasure to meet you once more in Parliament assembled. During the recess complications arose which rendered a war between England and Russia probable, and Ministers deemed it expedient to put the colony in a thorough state of defence. Papers bearing on this subject will be laid before you, and also a measure for im«

proving the Volunteer force, with the view of raising and maintaining an effective, but inexpensive, colonial army. The patriotism and loyalty shown by New South Waleß, in sending a contingent of well-equipped soldiers to assist the Mother Country in the Soudan, has excited the admiration of the civilised world, and will, doubtless, have the effect of hastening Federation. The depression from from which the colony has so long Buffered appears to grow more intense yearly. My advisers are convinced that this is traceable to defective legislation, and will introduce remedial measures for your consideration. The peaceful and loyal spirit which is exhibited by the native race shows how thoroughly they appreciate just and equitable laws. With the view of their adoption of European customs more speedily, it is desirable that the communal system which obtains amongst them should cease. A measure abolishing the communal system, and giving to each native an individual title to his fair share of land, will be submitted to you. The land laws of the colony are so numerous and so complicated that capitalists are frequently deterred from settling in our midst. A measure consolidating and simplifying . these laws will be introduced. Want of capital, competition with foreign importations, and the high rates chargad on railways for transmission of goods from one district to another, militate against the developement of the natural resources of the colony. The revision of both the Customs duties and the railway tariff, with a view of promoting local industries, will form a subject for your consideration. The Estimates for the year 1885 to 1886 will be laid before you. As my Ministers are convinced that the Property Tax is just and equitable, they have determined to adhere to it. I commend to your most earnest attention such measures as will be laid before you, and earnestly hope you will be guided by the wisdom and sagacity necessary for the discharge of your arduous duties.

The Premier, after the Governor had retired, made a statement to the effect that h* had been entrusted with the task of forming a new Administration, and had been successful. The Ministry were : Messrs J. M. Twomey, Premier and Minister of Lands; W. G. Aspinall, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice; A. W. Gaze, Colonial Secretary a&d Treasurer; J. Bambridge, PostmasterGeneral and Commissioner of Customs; G. Bolton, Native and Defence Minister. Other portfolios would be ad mistered by the present Government. Mr Harrop moved the Address-in-Eeply, and it was seconded by Mr Coltman. Both speeches were very good. Mr Lee condemned the speech because no mention was made of Education. Mr Ash well condemned it on the ground that there was nothing at all in it; and Mr Siegert because it did not refer to the Bankruptcy laws. Each of the Ministers having replied, and several others having also commented on the Speech, the Address4n-Reply was carried on the voices.

Several other matters were discussed, points of order raised, and some good debating indulged in. The Premier asked leave to introduce his Laborers' Homes Bill, and explained its provisions. The division on this was called for by Mr Siegert, Member for the Hutt, who appeared to take the role of leader of the Opposition. The division resulted in favor of the Ministry by a majority of five votes.

Messm Hargreaves, Haines, Gray, Aspinall, and Bambridge were appointed -a Standing Order Committee to draw up rules for the guidance of the meetings. On the motion of the Premier, the House adjourned to 7.30 p.m. next Tuesday erening.