The Governor's Speech

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3357, 25 September 1879, Page 2

The Governor's Speech

(Pee Pbess Agency.)

Wellington, This day. Hon. Legislative Councillors and GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF Efi-

BENTATIVEB,—

In opening this the seventh Parliament of New Zealand I am sore you will unite with me in an earnest hope that the new Parliament may be distinguished for the enactment of such measure? .as shall be most conducive towards promoting the happiness and welfare of the people. We hare reached what is perhaps as yet the mosf: important epoch in the history of the colony, and the future will very much, depend upon the impress which may be stamped upon it by the action of this Parliament. It is matter tor congratulation that, notwithstanding the severe monetary pressure and commercial gloom which have for some time past prevailed ■ throughout the world, the position of this Colony is perfectly sound. Inaccordauceto constitutional usage I recently allowed an appeal to the electors of the colony, and thfy hare availed themselves of this opportunity to make manifest their ryishes with regard to measures of great importance which it was proposed should be .enacted. as part of the permanent constitutional taw of the colony. The elections having been completed I have at the earliest possible period called you "together to avail myself of your advice and assistance in. considering tbe measures and in carrying on the necessary letjislation of tho country. My responsible advisers following up the line of policy which was ! indicated during the last session of lue J late Parliament have prepared measures giving effect te the views which were then made known to the country. Amongst these there will be submitted io you a bill to amend tho law relating to electors qualified to vote at the election of members of the House of Bepresentatives. In this measure the broad principle is adopted that erery man who pays taxes and is otherwise affected by legislation has a right to representation. A. bill which will also claim your consideration is one which proposes t> reduce the longest period for which the Hou«e of Representatives can sit from five to three years; the enactment will render each member more directly accountable to his constituents than he at present is, and . will secure to electors the power ©t j returning membera so frequently to the House of Representatives that public opinion, which often in new countries take a new direction from the rapidly varying circumstancesof such communities •will be fairly represented in every phrase that opinion might assume. But these provisions will be of comparatively little' value unless the constituencies are so arranged tha*, in as far ai practicable, population, in each electoral district respectively, shall be • duly represented. This riehfc was assured to the people of JS"ew Zealand by the British Parliament in in Act, which originally gave them a representative constitution. The measure on thir subject, which is to be submitted to you will substantially secure a return and an adherence for the future to that important principle of the Constitution Act. These three measures are, in tbe opinion of my

advisers, so equitable in themselves, and so accordant with the spirit of modern times, that should they become law, there is, the Government believes, every prospect that a feeling of general contentment would be permanently established in the colony. The powers of legislation would then largely rest in the hands of the people of New Zealand, and it is to be hoped that they will always main lain withiu its limits an equitable system of taxation, a just administration of public lands, and « sound system of local self-government. The alterations which will be produced in the Constitution Act by the proposed measures will be but slight, whilst they are evidently in accord with the popular wish. A Bill will be submitted for your consideration to suspend plurality of voting in eases of elections of local governing bodies, whilst those bodies are subsidised oat of the general revenue of the colony. Measures will also be submitted to yon which will enable those desiring to occupy small farms or rural allotments to obtain possession of lands more readily and at a smaller cost than they can be obtained under the present system.

Gentlemen of the Housb of Bifie* Bektatiyes,—

The estimates will be laid before you, accompanied by financial measures, ealcalated in the opinion of my Government, to promote the interests of the colony and to maintain Hit 1" credit. A veijfripasral' ' desire appears to exist that oonsiAntiM ! should be given to the best meansof prontoi* ing and incouraging manufacture and loeai industries in this colony; with a view to give effect to this desire you may probably-,"' think it advisable to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into and report „ npon the subject. The public works in.' ' progress continue to be rigorously prose* - cuted, and you will be asked to make ; provisions for the further prosecution of ''„' those works which have jilready been " authorized by Parliament. In pursuance of the intention of the Legislature in the - /,- session of 1878 considerable pains have been taken by the Public Works Department to ascertain the best route for connecting by rail the east and west coasts of the northern portion of the Middle Island, and also the best route from Amberley to Cook straits* As these ' are works of great magnitude and importance, and must, involve a - very large expenditure of public money, it has been prudent, in order to take advantage of every possible means of ascertaining the best routes, that the relative merits of the various, lines should be carefully considered; with that view yoa will be asked to submit the whole question to a. full and exhaustive examination,' and inquiry by a select committee.

HoNOBABLB LEGISLATIVE CoiNCCIIiLOKS AND GENTIEMBN OF THS HoVSK Of BEPBESENTUTVBS,— A measure will be laid before you by which lands, the property of the natives* * not purchased by the Government for the public, wiil henceforth be sold in smell blocks in the open market on such terait -t * as may be agreed upon with the ptoprie* tors; mj advisers are of opinion, by Mop* tion of this system, great advantages will )'■ be secured to the whole of the fiuropean -' population of New Zealand, whilst the ' natires will hare the satisfaction of re* * ceiviug the fall value of their estates, and will no longer be subjected to those importunities and temptations to induce them to part with their lands which hare hitherto prored a fertile sort of uiinnder> : standing and of evil to the two races; The assurance which I was enabled to. give to the members of Parliament on the opening of last session in regard tothe peaceful and loyal action of the native people generally has been borne out by the results. No further development has taken place of the fanatical movement 6n the West Coast, and the tribes concerned appear to be quietly awaiting the afction of Parliament, and of the ordinary courts of law. Steps are being taken for the... holding of a full inquiry into the existence and extent of the alleged-unfulfilled pro* i raises in regard to land. "Two intertribal disturbances arising out of disputed claims to land have occurred—in oae ' instance with loss of life. The neces* sary measures are being taken tovindicate' the law. A Bill will be submitted for your consideration to rogmlate tbe immigration of Chinese into tbe> colony. A valuable interim report of tba .Royal Commission appointed to inquire into tbe subject of Education bis been" ' received and laid before both Houses. ■ - When the final report has been made no "•"' delay shall take place in laying before you, and in communicating to you, the. measures which the Government may/ recommend for adoption on tbe whole subject, which is one of paramooat importance to the educational interest in the colony. Various other measure* will be laid before you during this session; on each of these I am confident yon wilL bestow your careful attention, exerting yourself, in all respects, to promote the matters' of this colony, the destinies of which Providence has, m so large a measure, intrusted to your charge. In all your efforts to attain this, " end you may rely on receiving, my really earnest, co-operation, and I sincerely trasfc that a spirit of wisdom and of soand judgment may auimate each branch of the Legislature.