Prorogation of Parliament.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 39, 21 November 1871, Page 3

Prorogation of Parliament.

THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH. AGREEMENT COME TO BETWEEN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE GOVERNMENT. Per Grevile* & Co.’s (Renter’s Agents) Express. WELLINGTON. November 16, 1.55 p.m. After a lengthened free conference yesterday, an agreement was come to regarding the Legislative Council’s amendments in Public Works and Immigration Bill. Parts 5 and 6 were dropped ; clauses referring to distribution of goldfields water supply reinstated with amendments. Provinces unable to meet railway charges, the deficiencies to he made up by direct taxation. Clauses for immigration purposes reinserted with amendments. On the third reading Appropriation Bill, Stafford, Gillies, and Rolleston reviewed the session. Fox, Gisborne, and Vogel replied. Parliament prorogued to-day. SPEECH.

“ Gentlemen, —I thank you for the attention bestowed upon public business, and that you have given those measures which have been proposed during the session with the object of promoting the advancement of the prosperity of the colony. I have to congratulate you on the progress you have made in the policy of colonisation, which was inaugurated during the present session. Everyone who has the welfare of the colony at heart must eagerly welcome that desire to people the country, _ and open up its means of communication, which found expression in your measures for promoting public works, immigration, and constructing railways. Fortified by the support you have given to the colonising policy, it will be the duty of my Ministers to give effect to it, to the utmost extent consistent with provision being made for the employment and settle ment of the immigrants introduced, and with care being exercised that the labour required for other enterprises is not unduly absorbed by public works. I hope that in a few months immigrants will commence to arrive under the new system, and will eontinue to do so with regularity, in numbers sufficiently large to supply the need of increased population, but not so large as to over-stock the labour market, or as an overtax on the means at command for comfortably settling them. I hope also that within a , very few months railway works will be under construction in different parts of the colony. I observe with much satisfaction the’ support you have given to the Californian Service, and trust that the course you have taken will lead to the establishment permanently of a service which, whilst it brings New Zealand near and in convenient communication with Britain, also opens the way to large business relations with the prosperous and enterprising people of the United States. YVith great gratification I notice a great improvement in the gold produce of the colony, and I am pleased to observe that you attach great and deserved importance to the valuable industry of the goldminers. lam also able to congratulate you on the improvement in the prospects of wool and flax ; and with great pleasure I foresee better days in store for those who follow agricultural pursuits. “• The presence in London of a special agent for the colony, himself a colonist of 30 years’ standing* intimately acquainted ■with its wants, and who, in former sessions, occupied a prominent place in the deliberations of the Parliament of the colony, will, I trust, greatly aid you in the construction of the public works you proposed, as well as lead to judicious selection of the immigrants you require, and to making proper arrangements for their passage to the colony. His presence will also, no doubt, tend to the permanence of those friendly relations which, I am glad to say, exist between the Imperial and Colonial Governments.

u The session has been profitable in results, in respect to that most important

stimulus to colonisation, local Municipal Government. I Sun sanguine that excellent effects will result from the pecuniary assistance you have agreed to render to the Eoad Boards, and from the operation the Highways Act. I regret that the shortness of the session and -other reasons prevented your legislating on the question of Education fyour intention lias been fully discussed in the House of Representatives, and it is perhaps well that on a subject on which there exist so many differences of opinion, time should be given to the constituencies to consider more fully the bearings of the measure which was proposed to the House of Representatives. “ Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, — “ I thank you for supplies you have granted for the public service, which shall be administered with due care. lam glad also that you have revised taxation in some particulars with a view of providing ways and means to meet the necessary ex penditure of the Government. “ Hon. ' Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— “ Since the commencement of the session there have not been wanting indications of a growing inclination among the few remaining malcontents of the native race to return to their allegiance, and to resume friendly relations with the Europeans. The presence of highly intelligent representatives, and the judicious manner in which, I am informed by Ministers, they exercised their functions, fully justify the wisdom of the recommendation the House of Representatives made that persons of the native race should be called to the Legislative Council. On the best method of giving effect to that recommendation I will consult iny responsible advisers. “ I shall forward her Majesty’s Government, for presentation to her Majesty, the addresses you have passed in both chambers of the Legislature on the subject of the labour traffic which is being carried on between some of the Australian colonies, the Fiji Islands, and various other islands in the Pacific. I have no doubt that the melancholy death of Bishop Patteson, and his companions will deepen the interest which has already been excited on this question at home, and that her Majesty’s Government will bestow on it the attention it merits. “ While releasing you from your labours I venture to express my earnest hope that, under the blessing of Divine Providence, the measures you have authorised will promote the prosperity of the colony.”