OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1736, 12 May 1888, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, May 10. The second session of the tenth Parliament of New Zealand was opened at 2 p.m. by the Governor. There were nineteen councillors present in the chamber when His Excellency entered, attended by Captain Fortescue, A.D.U., and Oaptain Medley, A.D.C., Consuls Pearce, Jouffray d’Abbans, Colonel Batts, and Mr Robinson, R.M. At the summons of His Excellency, forty-three members of the House of Representatives, including the Speaker and all the Ministers, attended.

His Excellency was pleased to make the following speech :

Hon. Gentlemen oi the Legislative Council and Gentlemen or the House of Representatives,—

It affords me much pleasure to again meet you iu Parliament assembled. Although I am not able to congratulate you upon any decided change in the condition of the great industries of New Zealand, or of the trade of the country, it is satisfactory to know that signs of improvement are not wanting. While some classes of produce are unfortunately low in price, the increase which has taken place in the value of wool roust beneficially affect the people. Thera are also encouraging indications of r revival in the mining industry throughout the colony. Considerable sums of money have been lately invested in the acquisition and development of mining properties, which can only be rendered profitable by a largo expenditure of capital. It is believed that through the introduction of machinery suited to the treatment of the refractory ores found on our goldfields, large tracts of country now lying idle will be profitably worked. Through the use of now appliances large portions of the sea beaches of New Zealand will be rendered available for working, and thus an almost limitless source of wealth will b» opened up. Luring the recess my advisers earnestly endeavored to give effect to the will of ibe country by reducing the public expenditure. Tbe question of the classification of the Civil Service of the colony is intimately connected with that of retrenchment. My Government realised that it was necessary, in order to put the service on a permanent footing, that the subject should be dealt with comprehensivoly, notwithstanding the difficulties which have grown up through the absence in the past of any uniform plan in its different branches. A Bill has been prepared dealing with the Civil Service in a manner which, it is believed, will meet with rour approval. My Ministers wish to place upon record their appreciation of the manner in which the Civil Servants as a body have aided in carrying out the changes necessary to effect economy. They have readily furnished information and advice. You will be gratified to learn that the building of the war vessels to be supplied under the provisions of “ The Australasian Naval Defence Act 1887 ” ia being carried on by the Imperial Government withi.all possible expedition. The time is therefore not far distant when we may expect to see in Australian waters a naval force, which, acting iu conjunction with our land defences, will ensure the safety in times of war of this part of the Empire, and protect its trade. The harbor defence works, which form a necessary part of any scheme for the protection of the colony against external danger, have been so far completed as to render it unnecessary to maintain the past heavy expenditure. The thanks of tbe country are due to Major-General Schaw for the very valuable assistance and advice which have been given by him in connection with the completion of these works. The anticipations of my advisers as to the beneficial effects of the Land Act of last ses-ian have so far been verified by events, and relief has been afforded to many hardworking holders through the operation of its clauses. Considering the time which has elapsed since this Act came into force, the number of desirable settlers who have been placed upon the waste lands by means of its operations is very satisfactory. My Ministers are pleased to be able to state that the economies rendered necessary by the reduced vote of education have been carried out without impairing the system. They regard its maintenance in a vigorous condition as essential to the public well-being. Papers on the subject will be laid before you. I have much pleasure in informing you that the attitude of the Maori race is marked by much good feeling toward the Government. It must be a matter of congratulation to both races that Tawhiao should at last have seen that it was to the interests of himself and his people that the two races should be united under one government. My Ministers believe that the time has arrived when the whole question of dealing with Native lands should be treated upon a basis in accord with the advancing knowledge of the Native race. Bills will be submitted to your approval which have been prepared with due regard to this consideration.

Hon. Gentlemen of the House o» Repe esent axiv es. The estimates of the revenue and expenditure for the current year will be brought before you at an early date, when I have no doubt they will receive your careful consideration. Hon. Gentlemen op the Legislative Council, and Members op the House op Represent ITIYES. —

The Chinese question is bscoming one of serious difficulty, and my adviser consider that until soma common ground of agreement is arrived at between the Imperial Government and the Government of the Chinese Empire, this colony must join with the other Australian colonies in enacting measures of a restrictive character. A Bill dealing with the subject will be laid betore you. The rabbic pest, which has long been a matter of the greatest importance to this colony has received careful attention. Although the] means

which have been in use, I am happy to state, proved sufficient to keep it in check, they are not calculated to completely remove this pest. My advisers have therefore taken steps to have the question of a thorough remedy considered by competent gentlemen in the colony, and they joined with the other colonies in causing the subject to be investigated in Australia. In furtherance of this object they deputed a New Zealand settler of experience and high scientific attainments to attend the experiments which were arranged to be nude by the representatives of M. Pasteur and others. The results of their experiments and the report of the New Zealand representative will be placed before you as soon as possible. Time has not permitted the carrying out of the reforms contemplated by the “Government Railways Act, 1887.” Applications have boon invited from those desirous of filling the office of Chief Commissioner, but a selection has not yet been made, and until this has been done it is impossible lo have the Act put in force. In accordance with the undertaking given by my Ministers during last session, alterations in the tariff will be submitted for your consideration. By a readjustment of duties it is hoped to remove certain anomalies which periodically appear in the tariff. One of the objects of this re-adjustmont will be to afford further financial aid in carrying on the departments of Government, while due regard will also be paid to the effect which the alterations will have upon the trade and manufactures of the colony. The

question of creating a means of adjusting from time lo time, the rents payable by deferred payment settlors, and by tenant* of the Crown, anil of municipal and other public bodies has receive:! careful attention and a Bill dealing with this subject will be laid before you. The Midland Railway contract, after much deliberation, has been nrenarod anon the lines decided by

Parliament, and now awaits confirmation by the .company in England. Tho attention of my Government has bean directed to questions relating to the establishment and preservation of fisharies, upon which subject a consolidating and amending Bill

dealing with many important points, has bsen prepaied. Bills for ths amendment and consolidation of the electoral laws, for the maintenance of discipline in the naval and military forces, for remedying defects in the Municipal, Eating, and Land Transfer Acts, and for tho repeal of the Crown and Native Lands Eating Act will be submitted to you. Those end

the other important measures to be laid before Parliament, I commend to your careful consideration. I earnestly hope that with the blessing of God you may be enabled to discharge your arduous duties with advantage to the interests'of the colony. His Excellency haying read the Vice-

Regal Speech revived, and the House proceeded *o business.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 1.55 p.m. A message was received from the Governor requiring the attendance of members to hear the Governor’s speech road.

On the House resuming notice was given of the introduction of several bills, aud notice of several questions and motions for returns was also given. Mr Pyke gave notice that he would next day move the Address in Reply to the Governor’s speech. Tho Premier gave notice of tho introduction of a bill to amend the Chinese Immigration Act. The Premier gave notice that bo would on Friday week propose certain amendments in the Standing Orders. The House rose at 5,30.