THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2520, 24 June 1893, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

His Excellency the Governor’s speech was to the effect that he had visited the various centres of population, and, as Her Majesty’s representative, was everywhere received in the most loyal and cordial manner. In common with all visitors to New Zealand he had been struck with the charm and magnificence of the natural scenery ; the more remarkable examples of which on account of their immense material value demand greater national care than had been bestowed upon them and he was also impressed, with the generally prosperous and comfortable appearance of the settlers. He greatly regretted that death had recently', deprived the colony of another very distinguished colonist in the person of the late Premier, Mr John Ballauce, at a time of life when it might only have been expected that his marked abilities and high character would still for a number of years be available in the service of his country. His death, which occurred after a lingering illness, was undoubtedly hastened by his single-minded devotion to public duty. He congratulated the members upon the buoyancy of the public finances, the continued prosperity of the colony, and the soundness and marked improvement oi the colony’s industries. The provision made during last session for carrying on the Public Service had proved more than sufficient, and there was a gross surplus of revenue over expenditure unparalleled in this colony. Our exports though slightly less in value owing to the fall in prices ol certain staple products, shows by its larger bulk that the producing power oi the producing power of the country is still steadily growing. The influx oi arrivals from the Mother Country and Australia has now assumed proportion!; which have put quite beyond doubt the complete termination of the long and discouraging exodus of our people. The distress unhappily prevailing in several of the neighboring colonies has lately been sufficiently acute to cause his Advisers to take steps towards checking destitute persons resorting to New Zealand in search of employment. It was with satisfaction that he noticed that New Zealand has remained entirely unaffected by the extraordinary panic in the other colonies mentioned, a fact which affords emphatic testimony to the farsighted prudence of our public and private finance during recent years. The returns of the Land Department would show how satisfactory had been the rate of genuine settlement during the past twelve months. With regard to the Cheviot estate, it was purchased in the interest at once of the public finance and the progress of settlement, the outcome of which would be the successful settlement of a considerable territoy in the centre of a district hitherto as remarkable for tho sparsity of its population as for the attractions of its soil and climate. Measures would be intoduced which would place the rights of Natives and Europeans on a just and equitable basis. The purchase of native lauds had been carried on during the last two years at a much more rapid rate than during the period immediately preceding. The time had arrived when the large surplus area of fertile land held by the Native race should be used and occupied in such a manner • as would add to the productiveness of the colony. Certain areas of those Native lands which have hitherto escaped the burden of local taxation, should now be placed on the same footing as the holdings of European settlers. The improvement in the yield of our goldfields, had been further sustained, in marked contrast to the returns of so many recent years. The estimates of revenue and expenditure had been framed with strict regard to economy, and Parliament would be asked to assent to a Bill restoring to the representatives of the people a portion of the control which they formerly possessed over the railways. The carrying on of public works during the last year had been notable for the success attending the system of co-operative contracts. The Department of Labor had succeeded in dealing with excellent effect with the congestion of the labor market wherever it had occurred. The Electoral Bill and a measure dealing with extended jurisdiction of the Magistrates Court and District Court would be submitted to Parliament as well as Bills dealing with municipal corporations and the placing of the banking institutions on such a basis as will afford greater financial security. The Conciliation and Arbitration Bill of last year had been revised, together with a Bill in substitution for tho present Shops and Shop Assistants Act, and also several measures relating to the wage earners and workmen of the colony are ready for your consideration. Among these are Bills to amend the law relative to shipping and seamen, to further secure the wages of workmen, to repeal and amend the conspiracy laws bearing on trade disputes, to deal with u sweating ” contracts, to facilitate the collection of industrial statistics, and others.