GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1907, 22 June 1889, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Wellington, June 20. The third session of the tenth Parliament of New Zealand wos opened to-day by Lord Onslow. The weather w<»s dull and threatening, but no ruin fell. Tho galleries were unusually crowded, mostly with ladies, and the portion of the floer of the chamber reserved for them was also filled. The party from Government. House, besides lady Onslow, comprised Lidy Delamere, Lidy Morton, and Miss Chalmondely. There was a fair attendance of members, a respectable cont:ngent having arrived by tho southern boat in time to take part in the proceedings. Including the two Speakers there were fourteen Councillors and forty-one members of the Lower House present. Contrary to the usual custom His Excellency was not annooncod by the A.id-de-camp, but walked directly into the chamber, followed by his stuff and the Consul?. The usual salute was fired by the Artillery, and the Wellington Guards furnished the guard of honor. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council met at 2 p.m. Members of the House of Representatives having been summoned, and being present, His Excellency was pleased to make the following speech : Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen or thk House op Representatives— It affords mo much pleasure to meet you in Parliament assembled so soon after ray assumption of the Governorship 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 lake a comprehensive view of its capabilities and resources, but what I have seen has favorably impressed me. During my stay in Aucklund, and my overland journey to this city, and whilst I have resided here, I have noted with gratification the variety and extent of the natural wealth of this island, and tho 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 1 have viiited. It is alike my privilege and a pleasure of this my first meeting you, to be able to congratulate the colony upon a muchimproved condition of affairs. Tie < Sorts which have been made to reduce the cost of administering the Government and to increase the public revenue have fortunately been successful. X am glad to be able to state that the reductions have, in the opinion of my Ministers, been effected without iji any way impairing the efficiency of the public service, While my advisers claim for you aud for themselves a part in bringing about lhia result, they recognise that it is greatly due to the happy change which has been going on in the circumstancee of the country. The increase in the value and volume of many of its productions has made the task of retrenchment easier, while it has its off-jet in adding to tho revenue. Thorn are unoourtiglag signs tint tho improvement which has taken place will continue. Tho higher prices whisht have J been obtained for its chief exports, whilg I

adding to the capital and increasing the income of the country, are restoring the confidence in its resources wire!) for & time seems t« have bean lost to tnany co'onista. This is shown not only by the largo mnonn of capi'al expended in industries which have beon found remunerative, but in the extent of land which ban been purchased from the Crown and in purta of the colony from large owners who have subdivided their holdings into convenient aroap, and offered them for sale, A large addition lias thnft bean m>de to the land brought into useful occupation. While confidence is being restored among colonists and a renewed vigor «hown in promoting our industries, New coming to be regarded with greater by persons outside the colony who are in search of a home or a place of resort for recreation or health, Judged too by the value of its securities in the London market the colony's credit has from month to month during the pist year steadily advanced in England. My Government, while restricting nnremunerative expenditure, have 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 thoy believed were likely tither directly or indirectly to bs remunerative. Detailed information on this subject will be laid before you. One of the most pleasing manifest itions 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 Dumdin an exhibition of iodusj tries and fine arts, and by the favorable response which Ibey hava 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 arrangamonfc which has been entered into with them to assist in bringing the exhibition to a successful issue. During the recess my Government have brought into operation the Government Railways Ac* 1 , 1887, and have placed the railways uDdsr the management of three locally-appointed efficers. After careful inquiry my Advisers came to the conclusion that it was impossible to get from 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 entrusting the <.reat powers vested in that officer; whilst on the other hand their experience of Mr McKerrow pointed to his being a person wellqinlified to fill the office. My Ad-vi-'erß belhve that their choice of commissionfM will he justified by results. The sales of public lind within the colony have bean very satisfactory, both as to the quantity disposed of and the class of persons who have acquired it. Much of the land has been taken up in small areas and by persons who are making their homes upon it. The sales of runs which have lately taken place show that there is increased confidence in the great iodustry of wool-growing. Mj Ministers are confident that by careful administration and by taking advantage at sensonable times of the opportunities for opening the country, New■ Zealandwill soon be made to occupy that prqrl rainence as a home for a thriving tion, which her position, climate, and resources, fit her to attain. Gentlemen op the Motjse of Representatives: The estimates of the revonue and expenditure for the current year mil be brought before you at an early.date, when they will, I have no doubt, receive your careful consideration. Tne estimates of expenditure have been prepared with a due regard to economy. Honorable Gentlemen op the Legis-; lativb Council and Gentlemen of the House of Bepresbntatives: There will be laid before you for your consideration a number of Bills dealing with matters of great public interest. My Advisers are of opinion that the time has arrived when alterations should bs made in the constitution of the Legislative Council, They regard the present mode of appointing membars, and their appointment for life, as unsatisfactory, and not in keeping with the rest of our Constitution. A Bill, therefore, will be submitted for your consideration making alterations in these and other respects. My Advisers are also of 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 electionfounded upon what is commonly known as the "Hare system." The Bill will also amend the qualification required for electors ; make new provision f.s 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 the .electors. My advisors believe that until a meisare classifying the Civil Service and providing for their promotion and remuneration upon a defined principle, shall have passed into law, the Civil Service can never be placed oa a proper footing. They also believe that this question is intimately connected with the economical carrying on of all the 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 cosntries—that of the management of hospitals and the distribution of charitable aid—-has engaged ; much public attention throughout the. colooy. A Bill has been prepared in accordance with what my advisers deem to be the principles which have been found by experience to insure the relief of de--serving persons, and at the same tin)© avoid the danger of iocreasing the evil which is incident to indiscrimiate aid. Your oareful and patient consideration will be asked on this difficult subject, My advisers have had the Proparty taxunder their earnest consideration. ,'While r the state of the colony's .finances, renders' 1 it impossible to forego uny considerable part of the revenue derivable from this tax, they recognise that some of the provisions of the. Property Act ought to be amended, with a view to removing objections which experience lihm shown can reasonably bo made to them. There will, therefore bo submitted to you a Bill deal-y iog «vith this important matter. .'J* Among other measures there will ba " presented to you for cons-ilsration Bills dealing with the law of copyright in/New Zealand ; for consolidating a.ad amending:

tho law relating to patents and trade marks; for regulating the regis'r.ition of medical practitioners, and for consiituiing a medical council; for improving the mode of registering transfers of personal proparty ; and for consolidating and amending the law of bankruptcy. I command all these matters to your careful consideration, and assure you of :y. my earnest desire to co-operate with you in your effirts to promote the welfars and prosperity of the colony. I pray that your labors may, by the blessing of God, conduce to the well-being and the happiness of its inhabitants. ADDRESS IN RBPIT, ETC. "Aittr thn Governor's pprech had been Campbell gave notice to move the Address in Reply. Intimation was received that Colonel Brett's seat had become vacant by hie death. Leave was granted to Dt Grace and Mr G. R. Johnson. The Council adjourned till to-morrow.

HOTJaE OP EEPBEBENTATIVES. Tho met at 1.55 p.m. A message wab received from the Legislative Council, requesting the attendance ot members to bear the Governor's speech^ On the House resuming at 2.25 p.tb m Mr Harkness, the member fur Nelson, took the oath and his seat. Notice was given of the introduction of Bills as follows : Eight Hours Bill (Mr Taylor), Town Districts Act Amendment Bill (Mr Bbodes), Divorce Act Amendment Bill (Mr Samuel), Cemet6riea Act Amendmeot Bill (Mr Izud), Auctioneers' Act Amendment Bill (Mr Samuel), and the Shop Hours Bill (Mr Joyce). Mr Harkness gave notice that he would move next day an Address in Reply ti the Governor's speach. to Mr 'Reaves, the "Premier smS it had been arranged, and would shortly be gazetted, .that Mr Hislop should bold the portfolio of Education. I The House rose at 2.45 p.m. I