GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2156, 29 January 1891, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. On Tuesday the Council met at 2.30 p.m. A fair number of spectators were present, including Lady Onslow. The Governor was attended by the new aide-de-camp, Captain Guthrie, and the local consuls. THE SPEECH FflOM THE THRONE His Excellency was pleased to deliver the following speech : Hon. Gentlemen- of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen or the House op KepbesenTATIVES. —

I regret that I have been obliged to call your attendance at an unusual, nnd, probably, to most of you, an inconven'cnt season. The general election having taken place, my late advisees deemed it necessary that, having regard to the uncertainty of the strength of parties, Parliament should be called together at the earliest possible opportunity; but prior to the opening of Parliament they tendered their resignations and a new Administration has been formed. Gentlemen op the House of Eepeesentatites. —

As you are aware estimates were passed during the last session of Parliament providing for the expenditure of the current financial year, and my advisers propose to make an exhaustive inquiry into the financial condition of the colony in order to submit proposals which they believe will be satisfactorily framed, with due regard t® economy and with such reductions of the expenditure aB the country demands, without impairing the efficiency of the public service.

Hon - - Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Eepbesentativeb.—

My advisers propose that a measure dealing with the administration of the public lands of the colony shall after careful consideration be submitted to you, in order to remedy the defects proved to exist in the present state of the law. They also believe that a Department of Agriculture can be made productive of great practical utility, without entailing aay unnecessary additional departmental expenditure. They also propose to submit to you measures which they trust will improve the relations of labor to capital, and promote the cause of industrial progress. My advisers consider that earnest attention should be given to the development of the vast mineral resources of the colony, and belive that much can be done to further the mining interests at a moderate cost. I propose that after a suitable recess you should proceed to the consideration of these and other important measures for the public benefit which will be submitted to you. I assure you of my earnest desire to co-operate with you in your effort to improve the colony, and I pray that your labors may, by the blessing of God, conduce to the well-being and happiness of the people. HEW MEMBEH. After the reading of the speech Mr Bowen was sworn in. THE MINISTRY. Mr Buckley announced the formation of a new Ministry, HOU3E OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2 p.m. THE PEIVILEGES OF PARLIAMENT. The Speaker reported that he had waited on His Excellency the Governor, and claimed the usual privileges on behalf of the House. The Speaker repeated his grateful acknowledgements of the honor which the House had done him by placing him in the chair. TAKING THE OATH. Mr T. McKenzie and Mr Buckland were sworn in. THE MINISTBT, After attending the other Chamber to hear the Governor's Speech, Mr Ballance announced the formation of the new Ministry, and read the list already given. Mr Word would have charge of the Post and Telegraph Department, and the vacant Portfolio would be given in a day or two. THE EGMONT SEAT. The Speaker was directed to issue a writ for the Egmont seat, vacated by Sir Harry Atkinson. PETITION, A petition was presented by Mr Kelly, and read, relative to the position of Native Lands. NOTICES.

Mr Fergus gave notice to ask the Government what steps they intended to take to carry on the Otago Central Railway. Mr Rees gave notice of an address of sympathy with Sir George Grey on his enforced retirement from public life.

Mr "Ballanco gave notice to move on tbe next sitting day that Mr W. C. ISmitb be appointed Chairman of Uommitteejtfr Jf'ish gave notice of motion, traversing the Governor's action in the recent appointments to the Legislative Council. The Speaker said that he would have to look into the matter before he could allow such a notice to appear on the Order Paper. His present opinion was that the motion could not be put. Mr Palmer gave notice to move the Address in Heply on Wednesday. nTTFHTTnV —.-

Mr Bryce asked what was the meaning of" a suitable recess," a term used in the Governor's speech.—Mi Ballanco said that he would explain on Wednesday. ] The House roae at 3.30 p.m* I