PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2583, 27 April 1887, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

OPENING OF

Governor's Speech.

_ The fourth session of tho ninth Parliament was this day opened by the Governor when his Excellency was pleased to make the following speech; . Hon Gentlemen of tho Legislative ■ Councilj ■ and "-gentlemen of the House' of Representatives,—l have again to express the pleasure in meeting you . ",Y,ou. .will, join me in regretting that since last session so many members of both houses have been removed by the hand of death. The loss of Mr Macandrew is widoly mourned. It is ; unnecessary that to you who knew '■. him so well I should dwell on his great 1 qualities as a statesman and a patriot, The proper manner of celebrating the Jubilee of our most Gracious Sovereign has been considered by Her Majesty, , and she has intimated that the founding of ah Institute that will remain a , pormanent exhibition of the wealth ' and industries of her wide dominions !. will bo most pleasing to her. Steps I have been taken in England to carry this project to a successful issue, and 1 the Colonies have been invited to join in this method of celebrating' the ' Jubilee. My advisors, in accordance I with the wish'of His Royal Highness , the Prince of. Wales, have asked the local bodies to.'invito assistance from ', private individuals, and it will bo for [■ you to consider what further stops should be taken to testify in the way i desired by our sovereign or in such ; other manner as you may approve, J the love and loyalty of tho people of this Colony to the Crown t A conference convened to discuss 1 important subjects affecting all I parts of the Empire is now boing held in London. This is tho first meeting j of the kind in- tho history of our c country and it marks a new era in the 3 great work of colonization.. I have no ; doubt that even should its results 1 appear to be meagre, tho very fact of '; such.a.conference will help forward , -that close- union of tho Empire which citizens' of a'-gtealStato must desire to t see maintained and ■.developed, The t more firmly the bonds''of relationship ) between English speaking people are t drawn together the better it must be for t every colony and dependency of the 1 Empire, The question of naval defence. 1 has necessarily been discussed by the i. delegates. lam glad to be able to in- [ form you there seems every prospect . that a reasonable and fair arrangement : will bo concluded between tho mother '' country and her colonies. A proposal has been made which will be duly subi mitted to you, by which, at a compara- ; tively small cost to the colony, the 1 fleet in the Australian waters will bo , increased and due provisions mado , in time of war for the. protection; of '. coast 3 and shipping 1 Perhaps, how- [ ever, the most gratifying announcement .that can be -made in reference' to this subject is that tho firmness j of. my advisors-in urging the claims, of New Zealand to bo regarded to; some extent as a distinct naval station has been erowiiod with success. Now-. Zealand, subject to your approval of 1 the proposed arrangements, is henceforth to be tho head quarters of a portion of a fleet withpeaeo establishment of two vossolsofwar. Such a recognition of her nmrilino position cannot fail to bo of service to her commercially and my Ministers desire to express their sense of the generosity with which the other colonies supported this proposal.. So far as tho conference has proceeded all may rejoice at the harmony that has characterised its proceedings and at the evident feeling in favor of union that has been displayed by Her Majesty's subjects in all parts of the empire. Intimately related to naval protection are the de-. fences of the principle ports which are also the chief centres of the wealth of tifje coiujtry. lam glad to be able to state that the. defence works are gradually approaciiing . completion and that the .Government is now in a position to entrust their execution to tho permanent forces of the colony. When the forts and batteries are finished the harbor defences of New Zealand will redound to tho

credit of the Colony, and will be of

utmost service to her should war unhappily arise, Tho cultivation oi friendly feelings amongst the Colonies cannot be too strongly urged, The Colony of Victoria is about to celebrate the Australian centenary by holding an Industrial Exhibition and you will be asked to consider whether New Zealand shall be represented on such an important ' occasion. An Exhibition of this character cannot fail to be of immense service to the colonies in bringing before visitors from all parts of tho world the products and resources of these vast territories that only require capital and labor for their further developeirient. The increase in the price of wool, and tho bountiful grain harvest that has just been reaped, must have a beneficial effect on all tho industries of the colony, Though the price of agricultural produce has been low, the work of settlement has made great progress, and you will be pleased to learn 'that large numbers of families have been attached to the soil during the past year under the various schemes- of land settlement that are provided for in the Land Act. When the large areas that have beon recently acq tired from Native owners on the North Island Main Trunk Railway, have taoh made available for occupation by the construction of the line, there v.ill no doubt be further extension of settlement in the interior of the Island. The difficulties in the past in arranging with natives for obtaining suitable land are daily being lessened, and the recent adjudications by the Native Land Court on some millions of acres, prove that the Maories arc awakening to tho advantages to be derived from the.profitable occupation of their lands. Papers will be laid before you regarding the; conference held in Sydney, relating to .the importation of stock into the colonies.

Gentlemen of the House op Kepkesentatiyes.—The Estimates of revenue and expenditure for' tile present financial year will be brought before you at an early date. The revenue has been diminished to a considerable extent partly by the fall in the price of

goods'and partly .also by the happily increased habits of temperance among the : people. My advisers-recognise the necessity of limiting the expenditure as-far as the wants of the colony will permit. I have no doubt that when the financial position and requirements of the country are placed before you they will receive your most, careful consideration. Honorable Gentlemen op the Legislative'.. Council and .'GENTWira" of the House of Representatives— A. Representation Bill will be brought beforer-yon : its ;,Rur:. pose will bo to deal with the subject that after every' census the representation of the colony will be self-adjusting, The reform of the Legislative Council has'been frequently before Parliament, My advisers believe that it may be fittingly considered when a measure for W representation of the people is being discussed. A bill on the subject will be brought before you. The loans to Local Bodies and Government Loans to Local Bodies Act which were parsed by Parliament last year liav'o given general satisfaction throughout the Colony. Experience, howevor.'has shewn that some amendments are. necessary in order more effectually to ; carry out thoir provisions; these will be submitted to you. My advisers believe that one of the main aids to tho pro-' gress of the Colony is the promotion of agricultural settlement—much has' alroady been done in this direction. It will be for you to consider whether exceptional legislation is not desirable to establish Small Farms Settlement where there. are no Crown Lands available. My advisers believe that with agricultural and pastoral settlement, it is of tho utmost importance that other industries should be encouraged, Yon will lie invited to consider how this object ©in best be accomplished. The good feeling that is being exhibited by the Maoris towards tho Government lias been evinced in a marked manner by the generous olfer to the colony of die Huapelin, Tongaviro,aud Ngrtuiuboe mountains by the Ngatituwharetoa tribe, who desire, that a--large area of land should be set aside as n national .'park.You will be asked to legislate on the subject in order that effect "may be given to their wishes, Efforts have 'been made to further and develop the. mining industries of the colony. The' pressing-;,want-at "present seems to besome mode -of treating the rich and varied ores that are to be found in many parts of the country, It is hoped that new methods may be applied which will he turned to account The valuable mineral resources of Ibo goldfields now' unproductive, the question as to the assistance that can properly be devoted to such a pur: pose will no doubt receive' your close attention,- You will be asked to consider Bills providing for amendments, in the Eleotoral Laws, the Government' Insurance Act, tho Criminal Law, and the Guardianship of Infants/ and for the constitution of Rail?. way Boards of Advice, and various'' other bills will also be submitted for your consideration, I commend 1 to -your attention the important quostioas that will bo brought before you,, and ; -I hope that under the blessings of-God, your labors may prove of great soryico to'tho colony. '■' !."