Governor's Speech.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2724, 13 October 1887, Page 2

Governor's Speech.

[Bv Telegraph.]

Wellington, October 12. The first session of the tenth Parliament of New Zealand was this day opened by tlio Governor, when his Excellency, made tho following speech Honorable Gentlemen op ihe Leols- 1 ' lativb Council and Gentlemen of the House of Refeesentativbs— . I have great pleasure in meeting you.in Parliament assembled. . '

It affords me much gratification. to be able to announce to you that the. ceremonies on the Occasion of the fiftieth year of flor Most Gracious Majesty's reign wero celebrated with a splendour unsurpassed : : in the annals of our country, and evoked tho most cordial feelings of loyalty, enthusiasm, and public reverence and rospoct in all parts of Her Majesty's dominions. "

The Imperial Conference hold in London to discuss subjects relating to the k prosperity, advancement, and protection /J of all interests affecting Her Majesty's colonial possessions concluded its sittings ou tho 9fch May last. Tlio results of its - deliberations are regarded by the Imperial authorities and by fcho ooloniiil repruson- - tativca as boinsr of a satisfactory nature,' The most important point of agreement is the determination to provide fir (ha more efficient defence o; Her distant possessions against extern A attack. Papers relating to the Bubjwir will bo laid before In its roßulta the general election just concludod points to a firm resolve on the pait of the pecplo of New Zealand to onenre effective and substantial retrenchment in the coßt of tho public service, My Ministers feel that it is their first •' duty, and it is thoir intention; to propose ' to Parliament largo reductions in the . public expenditure of tho colony, These- ■ reductions will be made in the mannerleast calculated to produce inconvenience. andhardship, To the subject of laud administratis!),' ■ my Mmisterf attach great importance, I ■ am assured that they will nuke unceasing efforts to secure the locatipn of a pros- ; parous class of Bettlera upon tho lands of the colony. It has been well said that, •v . Noiy Zealand stands unrivalled anioug ;|ii British possessions as a. Hold for settlo- -'W. merit, end the aim of all; of whatever :,V; political orood, should be to promote the' ■' establishment of a numerous aud prosperous agricultural, community, wuoso ■ industry caunot fail t<i add- -to the ■. material progress of the colony. . . My Ministers recognise .that alterations ' . in the tariff aro required to remove the ' anomalies which thoy havo brought Into:' ■ existenco by tho altered conditi(>a>Jfej things. . They were.anxious to havdjaw? before you proposals for a readjustment -■• of duties, but, until you give your opinion upon their measures, for effecting retrenehmout in the public Bcrvice, they feel that alterations of a thorpugh and satisfactory uature cannot be , made. They will, however, during the coming recess give the matter their careful coD- ' sideration, and will bring bofore you measures dealing with. this important subject. As the recess will-necessarily be a short one, the time lost will, in the opinion of my Ministers, be more tliau compensated for by tho subject being dealt with deliberately and thoroughly, As a first step, and as soon as possible a. proposals will be aubmittod to you to ren-flLy der tho land ayatora less complicated, and. !%( ; to make the lands of tho Colony more easy of acquirement in small holdings, and upon suoli tenuro as the selectors will prefer. My Ministers also rocogniae- tho difficulties under which some small holdora ■ of land from tho Crown are struggling, and they will consider what- can be to afford them reasonable reliof. ™ In regard to railways, it is the opinion of many competent to judge,' that - the system under which the railways-are worked is unsatisfactory, and it -is boliovod that judicious changes can bo mado whorebv public convenience may bo more consulted, and a better vevenuo.. obtained. My Ministers have under consideration; the necessity of amending the laws rela- -. : ting to native lands, and it will probably. bo nocessary during the present seßsion • to pas 3 some measuro of a temporary., oharactcr to allay the fueling of dissatis- ;■ faction which at present exists. "After ; ascertaining during the recess tho views '. ■ and wishes of; the native poople, and after weighing the Bubject carefully in -all 'its. bearings, comprohensivo moasures will submitted for your consideration, - Gentlemen of the House of Repbesen-* TATIVEH - ' ■ • ■ ' - ■ Tho estimates of revenue and expeudi-'.; turo will show in detul tho reductions to ; which I havo already referred. : I regret", to say tint at the present time oiiir prihcipal source of rovonuo—tho Customs—shows no eigna of improvement'; but inv '• Advisers trust that, by limiting the expenditure, it will be possible to •• placing further burdens upon the people, '■ Honourable Gentiemen of THE.liEoia-. • lativb Council and Gbntlemsn op ' this House of Repeesentahves,—V This the second session of -tho yoar ' being n.ocessarily held at an inconveniont •.(' period, and undor extraordinary oiroumstances, is proposed to submit for your consideration only such measures aeraay . bo urgently required. .-■ "... . Negotiations relative to the ooußtruc-.,.' tion of the Midland Railway are : still. : pending, and you will be required to .ex- . press your opinion upon certain import-..... i ant points, which yet remain to bo settled.. y| Oousißtontly with thoir duty to tho colony,. L my Ministers will uso every effort ; to' en-' able Parliament, to arrive at, a fair and ; reasonable solution .of existing difficulties - in connection with this important work! . My. Government view with satisfaction - < tho strong' feeling manifested :by the,, people of the oolony generally in favor of our educational systemanA .desiro to convey. an assurance that, while its ex : .. - • ' wherover - ■■' able, no,stops will bo jbakQn'.<bjr which would have'the effect of impairing . its efficiency. . ■ ■ - I commend to your attention the im- , portant questions that.wjllbe bronchi ' before you, and I hope that, undeMM blessing of God, your labours may of great service to the colony, • Messrs James Brown and - very suppjior new spring trap sale list for; Saturday next, - v : /- -.