OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3563, 28 May 1880, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

THE GOVEBNOB'S SPEECH

[By Telegbaph.]

Wellington, This day.

The New Zealand Parliament was opened this afternoon in the usual form. The attendance of members was rery small in both Houses. In the Lower House, Sir W. Fox was sworn in. The following is the Governor's Speech: Hon. Legislative Councillors and Gentlemek of the House of Repbeßentatives — In accordance with what was understood to be the wish of both branches of the Legislative, I hare called you together at an earlier period of the year than usual, and after an interval of little more than five months since last session of Parliament. When I last met you, the country was suffering from severe monetary pressure and a general depression in various branches of industry and trade. It is satisfactory to me to be able, on the present occasion to congratulate you upon the partial -relief which has been experienced, and upon the degree of confidence which has been revived by an abundant harvest, and by the increased value of most of the staple produces of the colony. At the same time, the condition of the colony demands your careful consideration. I regret that there should be a considerable amount of distress among the working classes, bat I trust and believe this may be only of a temporary character. It is engaging the serious attention of my Government, who have taken steps for inquiring into the means calculated to encourage such local industries as will afford steady and remunerative employment to the people. In accordance with the decision of the Legislature, I appointed a Koyal Commissioner to enquire into the alleged grievance of a portion of the native race, in respect to their land on the West Coast of the North Island. The reports and recommendation of that Commissioner will be laid before you. I wish that the measures at once firm and conciliatory, which have been adopted by my Government, will issue in a permanent and satisfactory settlement of the difficulties which have arisen in that part of the colony. The determination which has been shown to redress grievances where they may be proved to exist, and at the same time to assert the superiority of the Crown, cannot bub favourably affect our relation with the whole Maori race. The seeps which should be taken for the defence of the harbors of the colony have been carefully considered and ably reported on by Colonel Scratchley, an experienced officer of the Koyal Engineers. You will be asked to consider the extent to which it will be advisable to give effect to his suggestions.

Gentlemen of the Hottsk of Kepbb sentativbs—

Carefully prepared estimates of the revenue and expenditure for the ensuing twelve months will be laid before you. The facts elicited by the Commissioners whom I have appointed to inquire into the present postion of the Civil Service will help responsible advisers in effecting a substantial reduction in the cost of that service. I regret to have to announce to you that a falling off has taken place during the past financial period in almost all the principal items of revenue. While this may in some measure be attributed to pre-emptory causes, it would be too unwise to ignore the fact prior to the existing depression there had been a time of extraordinary inflation consequent upon the expenditure of borrowed money. With the lessening of the abnormal influx of foreign capital the country must look for a diminution in the rate of progress which it has recently been accustomed to in respect of its ordinary and territorial revenue. In this circumstance my adviserß entertained no doubt as to the course to be pursued. The expenditure must be reduced, luxuries must be curtailed, the public works which have already been constructed must be made reproductive. It is to industry and economy that the colony has to look for development of its resources, and the maintenance of a hearty progress. You will be asked to consider a plan which it is believed will place the finances of the local bodies on a satisfactory basis, aud will enable them to carry on their works in a self-reliant and independent manner.

Hon. Legislative Couscillobs and Gentlemen of the House of RepBESENTATIVEB—

At a time when it is indispensable that the closest attention should be bestowed upon the state of our finances, upon the solution of the native question, of economy of administration, it is not the intention of my Government to ask you to devote a longer time to the work of legislation than will be required to complete the constitutional measures already initiated, and to deal with the pressing questions of social and administrative Heform. Bills will be presented to you for. consolidating and amending the licensing laws of the colony, for placing the administration 6f the hospitals and charitable aid on sound and intelligible bases, for completing the changes, in the electoral laws, which were commenced on the last session of Parliament, for re-ad-justing the representation of people, and for amending the laws affecting the dealing with native lands, and the constitution of the Native Lands Court. The work of consolidating the Statutes as authorised

by you has made considerable progress, and a number of bills, the result of the labors of the Commissioners, will also be placed before you. The necessity for revising the whole system of legal procedure now in force in the Supreme Court and in other Courts of the colony has forced itself upon the present session, but it is proposed to institute an inquiry with the view of preparing such measures of reform as will render the administration of Justice more speedy and efficacious as well as. less costly than at the present. The work of opening up the waste landi of the Crown for settlement has been vigorously prosecuted and blocks of lands for occupation upon the Deferred Payment and Village Systems have been set aside' over a large portion of the Colony. The desire which exists for the occupation of land in small holdings exhibits a determination on the' part of the people of the Colony to devote themselves Bttadily to the development of its resources. It is to be regretted that in some parts of the country land of ' this class has been bought on terms with which the purchasers have found it impossible to comply. The subject is under the careful consideration of my Government. In now leaving you to the labours of the session, I have to assure you of my earnest desire to co-operate with you in your efforts to promote the welfare of the country, and^ to express my hope that God's blessing may rest upon your deliberations.