OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4870, 19 August 1884, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

[By Tele&baph.]

(FBOM Otm OWtf COBEESPOiIDENT.)

WEiLiNGTON,"This day.

- Athpugh Parliament was opened some days ago by Commission, all the pomp an&|>aKeantry of the opening ceremonies were observed this afternoon. At half« past two o'clock, His Excellency., tha Governor, wearing his Windsor uniform and decorations, arrived at the Legislative Council, iwhere he was received by the Speaker, and conducted to a raided dais, from . which he delivered the Speech already telegraphed you. The, galleries were will filled with spectators, especially the ladies' gallery, and the proceedings, passed off with more than ordinary eclat. The D. battery of theVNew; -Zealand Artillery -were drawn up in close proximity to Parliament Houses, and fired the usual salutes ; the Naval Artillery formed the guard of honor. The weather was fine, and a large concourse of spectators thronged the enclosures of Parliament; grounds; The Speaker was accompanied by Messrs Stout, Montgomery, Macandrew, Ballance, and about 70 members of the Lower flouse.'ahd the delivery of tha Speech was listened, to withi the keenest interest. Upon returning to the Lower House the business transacted-of most importance was an intimation by Mr Shrimski that he would ask leave to introduce an amended Licensing-Act, and by Sir Geo. Grey of a bill abolishing plural voting at ! Parliamentary elections ■; Mr Seddon gave notice that he would move to-mor row that Hansard . be sent free to members of County Councils, Borough Councils, and Town Boards; Mr Moss gave notice to move for a return of the constabulary stationed in the provincial; districts of the North Island. Mr Stout: . will introduce to-morrow a Married; Women's Property Bill. The rest of the [sitting will be taken up in moving for Sessional Committees.; Sir Julius Vogel was present, propped up in his seat, and carefully cushioned and rugged.

: [Per Pbess Association^ \. ;.•■ Wellington, This day, 2 25 p.m. The Governor formally opened Parliament at 2 o'clock this afternoon. .

\ ' The Croyerao^s Speech^ ! The first session of the ninth parliament of New Zealand was this day opened by the Governor, when His Excellency was pleased to make the following speech:— ; ._-,; Hon. Gentlemen the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen or the House of Re'pbesentatives— ■';'

It affords me much pleasure-to maefc you again in Parliament assembled. I have had recourse to your assistance, as early as the arrangements 'Cpnßeg^nt:>ODV,^^ retire* menfc of theiafceadmJßMtrflitioa hare permitted. My advisers are of opinion that it is undesirable that questions of abstract policy should at present be dealt with, further, than circumstances render imperatively necessary, "and that concentrated attention should be given to many urgent matters relating to the material -economy -and industrial interests of the.Colony. As far as time will allow, it is proposed to deal Wfiih such matters; daring this session^' Great importance is to bo attached to improving the industrial resources of the•-Colony/ prominent amongst which; may be mentioned the mining interest, the promotion of settlement,' and the advancement of local productions and inanu--factures. It is of the first consequence that the country should possess satisfactory and sufficient industries, abd the subject requires very careful and; comprehensive treatment, and little in; such direction can be effected through the Customs tariff, which is already very; high. The progress of public works also demands attention. It will be necessary to consider carefully the position of those now in progress, with a view to determin-: ing ho*» they shall be proceeded" with. It cannot prove economical to construct works' in a manner so slow and fragmentary as to postpone indefinitely any return from the money expended, and on .the other hand the colony must be carefuito restrain the exercise of its borrowing powers within reasonable limits. My Ministers consider that a great deal of the press. which is' 1 brought to bear on, a, Government to construct works in unprofitable fragmentsyaiises through the fear that if works are delayed; Parliamentary authority for them may be withdrawn, arid they are therefore of opinion that it would be ; expedient to determine that the public faith is pledged unless under exceptional circumstances to the works which Parliament once sanctions. If this assurance be well understood, the various distric's concerned will.be contented to see our works carried on in a manner compatible with early returns from the expenditure; Ministers consider that greatcare should be exercised with regard to extending existing; engagements. ; Some works al-; ready commenced require to bo carried on vigorously, such, for example as the Otago Central Railway.* The small length of the line required to connect Napier with : Palmerstpn Nd»t h [$f should also; receive early attention, and the authority to con struct the Nelson line to Rbundell should be extended to connoting Nelson with the line between the East and West coasts of the Middle'lgjarid. The trunk system of the'lsland would then be nearly completed. Tlieline to connect the east and west coasts of .the; Middle Island, to which I,havejjust" referred, is of great •importance.^ Myjadviseris'•;. will pro-: vppse^; tp';;.ypogto:^endeavour, an uhe first\ 'instancei %S^^ aidjflgrpriyate enterprise^ There isKev.ery: ireasbn/for believingthjat the West Goast; of jthei^Middle' Island ; posses^S;ittineral 'resourfeegvipf ? enormous i-rindeSd^ • aSy regiards coal and gold, the existence" of such .resources under^ighly remiin^rativoi conditions has been proved. Tfie proposed -railway will greatly benefit the district, t but for the proper development of the 1 capabilities of the West Coast other [ measures will be required, whilst the raU-

way works are in progress;; I commend the whole subject to your earnest con^ sideraj ion. :; The completion jof through railway commumcation betVcen Atickland and yV'ellingtoa is a eolbnialwork of vast impbrtance, which mnst be hastened to a conclusion with the utmost possible exp. • dition. It will be proposed to you to appointa select committee to report as to which route it would be most expedient to adopt, and'authority will bsasksd to enable; the state to acquire an extensive block of land along the line of this railway. My advisers, are of opinion '..that .thejan.da.ad-; jacentto this and otherrailways should be set. apart for the settlement of a large number of families upon conditions calculated^ to -ensure their prosperity,^ area for each family being limited You will recognise that it'ia of great moment that the lands in the North Island now held bynatives should fe; put out to proi ductive use asspeedily as possible, either by the natives themselves or by Europeans. It is therefore very desirable that the best means of enabling the natives to dispose of their lands, when they desire: to dp.so, should be adopted, but it will be useless to provide machinery for Ihe sale*' or leasing of native lands unless the natives themselves, are favorably inclined to make use of it. My Ministers,there> fore, whilst- considering that the present system has most objectionable propose to" postpone . "finaJT. legislation on the subject until next session. A temporary Act may possibly be necessary^ but the object to be^kept m view i 8 to como to an understanding with the •natives during the recess as to the plan | which will, not bb inconsistent with the i interests of theQolony, and which; will; be most likely to lead to results "satisfac^ tory to the Maori race., Plans wiill be submitted toyou this session, if possible, for strengthening and improving the system of local government, by giviDg to local bodies larger duties and an assured incoms.;;'; '•- "V^-;V';, ■' '-.■■■• ■ •■•-.:." : • •■:■.'■:■ •,..■;

Gentlemen of the House of Bepbe-

Estimates of; .revenue and expenditure will be laid .before:i you with the least possible delays• My .advisers'" are of opinion that the present expenditure; for departmental and other purposes may: be considerably contracted ; they consider it necessary to establish an equilibrium between expenditure) and receipts; they greatly object to the present Property Tax, and will propose its repeal at the earliest moment practicable. They are favorable to an rqual and moderate Land .Tax.Vd.educting from the value of the land ftppjrbvenients and a; reasonable amount of rexemptipnV.•' Thej* results .of such a tax .■shouldj as far^as possible, be localised in accordance with' the proposal to strengthen local .Government*

Honobable Gentlemen op the Legislative Council and Gentlemen or .THE HOUSE OF EePJRESENTATIVES,— ■ - My Ministers consider that the present management' of the colonial railways is open- to much* amendment. A measure will be submitted to you to prpride for Boards oi Management in the Middle Islandand in Auckland,subject toParliament r;etaining control.over the tariff of charges. Yourattentioawillbecalledtothe ' expediency of promoting trade and commercial relations with the South Sea Islands, and amongst,the measures to be brought before you will be bills to improve the conditions under, which married women may hold property, and to incorporate and. place under adequate .management, the; Life Insurance Departments, with - provisions for local boards, elected by th^ policy-holders. I commend to your most earnest; attention the large interests confided to you, and earnestly hope that, with,the" blessing of God,' great advantages to the colony may resalt from the discharge of your arduous; duties.