PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 199, 23 November 1871, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

(From the " Daily Times"" Telegrams). "Wellington, November. 16th

The result of the Conference between tbe two Houses was that Clause 8 was dropped, Clause 68 struck out, and Parts 5 and 6 omitted ; the Goldfields "Water Supply grant clauses were reinserted with amendments, direct taxation was substituted for rates to meet the deficencies of any Provinces on account of railways ; Clauses 90 and 91, relating to the payment for land taken for immigration purposes, were reinstated, wiHi an addition that only such land as is actually used for settlement shall he paid for, ard all unused within two years after bein<r taken, shall either revert to the Province or be paid for.

On the third reading 0? the Appropriation Bill, Messrs. Stafford, Gillies, and Rolleston spoke at length, reviewin? the session, and Messrs, Yogel, Gisborne, and Fox replied.

The following id the Goveror's Prorogation speech : — Honotjra.ble Legislative Councillors, Ain t d Gentlemen of the Plouse of Representatives — I thank you for the attention you have bestowed on the public business, and the consideration you have given to those measures which, have been proposed during" the session, with the object of promoting the advancement and prosperity of the Colony.

I have to congratulate you on the progress you have made in the .noble policy of colonisation, which was inaugurated during the session of the last Parliament, and has been continued by you during the present session. Every one who has the welfare of the Colony at heart must eagerly welcome the desire of the people of the country to open up means of communication, which has found expression in your measures for promoting Public Works and Immigration, and for constructing Railways. Fortified by the support which yon 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 settlement 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 continue to do so with regularity, in numbers sufficiently large to supply the need for increased population, but not so large as to overstock the labour market, or to overtax 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 Calif ornian Service, and trust that the course you have taken will lead to the establishment of a permanent service, which, whilst it brings New Zealand into near and convenient communication with Britain, also opens the way to Lirge business relations with the prosperous and enterprising people o£the United States. It is wifch great gratification I notice a great improvement in the gold produce of the Colony, and I am pleased to observe that you attach very great and deserved importance to the valuable industry of the gold miners.

I am also able to congratulate you on the improvement in the prospects of wool and flax produce, and it is with great pleasure T foresee better days in store for those who follow agricultural pursuits. The presence in London of the special agent of 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 yon propose, as well as lead to the judicious selection of the immigrants you require, and to the making" of the proper arrangements for their passage to this Colony. His presence will also, no doubt, tend to render permanent those friendly relations which, I am glad to say, exist between the Imperial and Colonial Governments.

I am sanguine that excellent effects will result from the pecuniary assistance you agreed to render to the Road Boards, and from the Highway Buard3 Act.

I regret that the shortness of the session and other reasons prevented your legislating on the question of education. Your attention has, however, been given to the subject, and its principles have 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 the supplies you have granted for the public service, which shall be administered with due care.

I am plad also that you have revised the taxation in some particulars, with a view to providing ways and means to meet the necessary expenditure of the Government. HONOUBABLE I/E(}ISTiATIYE GOTFKCILLOBS, AND GrENTLEjrEN OF THE House oe Representatives. Since the commencement of the session there have not been wanting many indications of a growing inclinaaou among the few remaining malcontents of the Native race to return to their allegiance and resume friendly relations with the Europeans. The presence of highly intelligent representatives of the Native race in the House of Representatives, and the judicious manner in which, I am informed by Mi7iisters, they have 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 Legeslative Council. On the best method of giving effect to that recommendation, I will consult my responsible advisers. I shall forward to her Majesty's Government, for presentation to Her Majesty, the Addresses you passed in both Chambers of the Legislature. On the subject of the labour traffic which is heing carried on between some of the Australian Colonies, the Fiji Islands, and some of the various other islands in the Pacific Ocean, I have no doubt that the melancholy death of Bishop Patteson and his companions will deepen the interest which has already been excite \ on the qviestion at home, and -feliat Her Majesty's Government will bestow upon it the attention it merits. In releasing you from your labours, . I venture to express an earnest hope that, under the blessing of Divine Providence, the measures you have authorised will promote the prosperity of the country.