THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3541, 20 June 1890, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

The; fourth'' session; oi the .tenth .Parliament '{ of: Neiv Zealand' ; was opened yesterday: by- the Gpyernqr, when hisExcellehpy was pleased to make the following speech :—„] • - Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Oounoil, and Gentlemen of the . House of Eepresentatives,:: ■

It gives me much pleasure' again to meet yon in Parliament assembled. When I first met you,' shortly after my assumption of the Gbvernorsliip, I had had time only for a hurried journey through the North Island, but I expressed my gratification at whatl.liad'tlien Been,'iind at_tbe manner inwbioh I had been received as Her Majesty's: representative,.,.l have now visited the four centres, and havo had .the, advantage of residing for. some months ; ia the principal

cities.- ; Tho experience which I have obtained in the course of my journey tbrougk ,tbe different parts, of tlie Colony has enabled me to takea more comprehensive view of its capabilities.' I have been greatly pleased with the abundance of its resources, with the beauty oi its scenery,' arid with the enterprise and industryot its inhabitants, 'I have also been muoh gratified by:the, manner in whioh I have been so heartily welcomed in every place which I have visited, and

with the loyalty, exhibited by the people to Her Majesty the Queen and to. the Empire.. The New; Zealand and South Seas .Exhibition proved a greater, success thaii was anticipated by the mo'st siuguino, while its conception, accomplishment, arid management, reflected special credit upon the enterprise and ability of its originators, and "of the -citizens. of Dunediri. VThe, manner; in whioh it was '.'by those living in other parts of the colony evidenced the power ;of the inhabitants to cooperate in'a great undertaking; the splendid display of natural products, of arts, manufactures, and minerals, must have had a great educational influence on' tho inhabitants of the colony, while at tho same time it lias enabled visitors to form some idea of our natural wealth, and of the eaergy and industry of our poople. In the ' very successful demonstrations whioh were held in Wellington and Auckland for the purpose of celebrating the' completion of the fiftieth'year of

the existence of New Zealand as par of theEtnpire, lwasgreatlyiuipressei with the marvellous progress whicl the Colony had made, with the large proportion of happy and healthy children who were prominently put forward to join in the celebration, with the orderly behaviour of the great orowds of people, consequent without doubt on the high-standing of comfort and prosperity enjoyed by all' olassea and with the patnotio love for the Colony, entertained by those who have made it their home, It affords mo muoh pleasure to ho able- to congratulate you on the evideuces which during last year were afforded of the substantial progress made in the circumstances of the Colony. The provision made during last session for carrying on the public .services has proved more sufficient. It is satisfactory to note that where there has been au increase of revenue it has been in items which show that a further advance has been made in productive pursuits, while the stationary condition of other items Bhows that there Las been no departure from the temperate habits of the people. .The v'olmno of exports has still further increased and while the value of some, notably flax, has unfortunately, deolined that of others remains fairly • satisfactory. My Ministers will place bofore you" information which will show that the productive, ness of the Colony'is enlarged, that notwithstanding the inoreased expenditure of capital whiohauiust have been inourred in making productive the area of land acquired during the year by private persons'the'position i of colonists, so far as their private i indebtedness is concerned, lias greatly improved, and that there has been a i satisfactory addition to the funds held by the Savings Banks and the increased area of waste lands of the i Crown have during .the past year s been settled at a satisfactory rate of ; progress. My Ministers have en- ) denvored to afford to selectors as wide a choice as the nature' of the land now held by the Crown would admit, f Statements will be plaoed before you to show that this has resulted in the settlement of a lage area of land, and I am glad to be able to inform you that the increase in number of agricultural holdings : was last year greatly in excess of that during any year of the colony's history, . While my advisers are gratified at the substantial progress whioh has been 'made in the productions of the colony and with the advance of settlement! they believe that still greater progress can bo made if raoro adequate means are provided for opening up land in advance of settlement by means ol roads for acquiring Native Lauds, tliey will therefore submit for your consideration proposals for effecting dieso objects. During the recess General Edwards, a officer who holds an important post in the Imperial Army, and a "high place in the estimation of competent authorities, visited this and other colonies ol Australasia in order to ascertain and report >pon the condition and efficiency .of the oqlonialforoeS. He has furnished me with a valuable and exhaustive report upon our defences, our purmanent corps, and our volunteers, and has made- many suggestions as to the beat means oi rendering thorn more efficient, The report has received the careful consideration of my Ministers, who; will submit for your approval n soheuie whioh they believe will, if carried out, provide for the defence of the colony against any attack whisjj is likely, in case of war, to be made on use/, Gentleman of the House of Representatives. The estimates of revenue and expenditure will be laid before you, The estimates of expenditure have b°en prepared with due regard for economy, the inoreased demand for school houses and iother public [buildings Laving been considered. In the opinion of ray advisers it will be necessary, for at'lcas|_ two years, to make exceptional provisions for these purposes. They believe that such expenditure;should be provided for out of revenue, and; rates for these purposes will be found in estimates Bon, Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of the year propositions were submitted by. the Government of Now South Walea for holding a conference of delegates from the various colonies of. Australasia in order to consider the question of creating one Federal Governmeht,rei!ognising the magnitude of the stibjeot's whioh were to.be disoussed,.and the' impjtatanoj?: of bjiltiyating ploso ■ ami frionlyrelations' 'with'other''colonies.' I consented to acoredit the Hon, Capt. an4 tHo Hep.. J HaiUpjiUeud

oh' behalf of thbcolony. The meeting ;:■ took place in Melbouru'e, daring the;; ; month of February, when matters* of ;; greatest moment pre discussed. The ' report of the proceedings will be laid - before ycu, and you will be asked to ■: ratify the arrangement. entered: into : ; for the appointment of:.delegates to,':'■';■ attend a meeting; of Representatives :•''v of the colonies lo be held >this- year..;•;: Proposals weresoine time \ since; sub- -. ; ;

nutted by the Imperial ':: to my Miniaters, inviting the OoloaylC to enter into an arrangement by whiotr f" the rate of poetago to Europe would ;•;: be reduced to 2\i per' letter. A Jtlyv- %'■■': advisers wefo unable .to. agreeto --: 5 those propeßftla, inasmuch as tliey.;;C' would have entailed a serious- loss of revenue unless changes were madeln' ■" ; Ih'e.mail system, which they.bould .-;;;; not. effect \ jour : fianotion.^.; You #1 be asked''to disouss thjiy.'■: ',. matter, and to agree to a prppositi&rtjf yi which, if adopted, will, without oaus-' U[ ing.'a: burdenitq -reyenueT:greatly >.vy reduce the, cost of: postage '• to theV" ? public • Country returns will bo laid';. ; beforeiyou, from whichyou/wiil learn. that there has been, during the year, - :

a large iuorease an •all branches of traffic on the railways, affording yet

another evidence of .the steady advance in the productive power of the Colony/; There /are >tiow ready for your consideration Bills'for. con-

solidating aud amending the law relating to qualification and registration of eleotorsand providing for. the issue of olectoral'rights 'dealing, with; t»; civil service, amendiug;tbe'law" wHli' regard to hospitals and charitable aid, amending the. Counties Apt,-.altering arid consolidating the ■■ law:; of [ bankruptcy, and providing for local government on the Went Coast of the South

Island, as well as otber bills dealing with matters of public interest. Ibesa ■• Bills will shortly be placed before you. During the recess a commission was appointed for .tlie purpose of considering how far the evil whioh has been termed "Sweating" had affected New Zealand. The thauks of the >: country are due to the membeiw oomposing this commission ' the ability and care : with whioh they conducted their inquiries, and treated the matters which were referred to them, My, Government although gratified to learn from their report that ".Sweating" has not fully taken root, I agree with commissioners. that an amendment of the Law is necessary. Bills therefore dealing with the questions referred to in report and other cognate auk, jects will be submitted for your eotf" sideratiou. I commend all these;matters to your careful attention, , and assure you of my earnest desire , toco-operate with you in endeavouring to further the,; interests of the \ Colony... I .pray that your .delibera- , tions may by; the', blessings .of; God [ promote the well-being of its inhabitants. ■ ." •

Masterton School Committee.

The usual monthly meeting'of the Masterton School Committee was ' held last evening. Present-Messrs Feist Chairman), Eton, MoEwen, Frangnell, Mackay, liasthope and Daniells. The minutes of the previous ordinary and special meetings were rgfl and confirmed. . ;>' ' j CORRESIONDEKOE. ," " '." From Education Board, stating that the question of sanitation would be considered at an early date. From same, stating that a Committee of the Board would iltijL/ Masterton at an early date. ' T From same, making a final vote of'.62Q towards the,water supply. : ■ The correspondence was read and received. . TEAOHERS' RKPOBTS. „The headmaster reported that the number on the roll was 552, tha highest attendance 430,' and the percentage 78. The low peroenlags was caused by the prevalence of siokness and la grippe. Miss Keeling reported that several teachers of tho infant sohool had been absent through illness, Tha average attendance was OS. ACCOUNTS,

, The following' acoounts were passed for payment;—J, King-£2 2s, J.Reynolds ■£] 12s 6d,0. E, Daniells £l7s lOd, M. Caselbergand 06 £1153

NOTICE OF MOTION. The following motion by Mr T. Maekay, of, which notioo was.givfip -. at last meeting; was then proposedS-'! \ "That as the frequent ohanges aoL diversity of the class books usfldfuk the State Sohools preolude3 the books ; being handed from the elder to the younger children of a family, thus causing extra expense to parents, this oommittee urge the Education Board to use their influence with the Minister of Education with the object of introducing a uniform system throughout all the schools in the colony,"

Mr Maokay said in moving the resolution ho did so in tho interests • of families,' realising that it was a great tax on parents to have to provide so many boob for their ohildren, The question had been ■', considered in other parts of the colony, and in South Canterbury in-particular- The Trades and. Labour Council had also taken the matter-up. Mr MoEwen seconded the resqlutiori.but in doing eo remarked that the matter had frequently come beneath their notice. ' ':";. . Mr Eton wished tq knowif ohftC dren were prevented, from handifig" down their books to youngerohildren/, Mr McEwenl'epliod that the bocks : had in many instances been taken,from ohildren by the teachers, ' fts Mr Daniells tnougbUhaji pjl the, ■■,-' broad principles of ecm&ionitwas , desirable to have variety in school book 3. . ; x ■:■/■--• :..■■•.:■ v r Mr Eton' asW : if Mr'Danielli' •■ thought the present system of education was as good as in his (Mr Daniells') sohool days.' ' Mr Raniells considered it was muoh betfti:."'' .""' Mr Eton: Wen I don't, ■'■? '; , The Chairman sympathised with ; : the motion, He thought with Mr ~ Maekay they should fix on a certain .■■■;.- book and stick to it.' Mr Praugnell thought -ffith Mr Eton that the children in the 014 Country knew more when leaving the fourth standard than they did in this : colony at the phi He had,been oempelled to purchase two gets pj books in one year for his' own jjirk., and the country. .;- suffered. They should give the mQtipjj tjjeirbestconsideratio!), : - Mr Eton sajd bjs r with the motion. \i Home' iu JUie sohools op set of hooks wp sufficient-;. ? fora.jphqie oourse, ■ -,-:' ■} MrMaokay pointed, out that the atlases supplied to the schoolof late--—,-were soandalpns, ~ '-■: : ,', ; ■ l jj~J t Mr Easth'ope thought they | have export evideuoe.: -,Mr ; Jaokson£■;'.■ had informed hirathat the systemof ji; eduoation in this oolony; wfta'much better than' al Hem|i'^ ; -■':*• *■}%& MTjip'i Chairman •■; Mf#H

Mr Eton ■ pointed out that Mr Grundy condemned tbo oramining »ysteui iu tlio colony; _ J ■ Mr Mackay referred again to tho necessity for reform. Mt Prangnell said lie did not wish to be misunderstood. He did not desire to condemn the system of teaming in the colony. The motion was then pat ana carried.' GSSEBiL, Mr Macky proposed .that application bo made to the Town Lands Trust for tho usual grant. Mr Prangnoll seconded tho resolution, and in doing so suggested that they should ask for £65. Thoy had friends on tho Trust, and if they could get an extra grant they could make a deal of additional improve; meats to the school. Mr Mackay was quite willing to i ask for £65, '''■ Mt Easthop thought tliey had a claitryivpon tho Trust. It was originally started for educational purposes. Mr Eton thought that if the - . extra olahn wore mado they should specify what the requirements were. The Trust bad to expend money on other schools in tho district. The motion was put and carried, and it was decided that a subcommittee consisting of the Chairman, Mr Mackay and the Secretary visit the school and. sto what improvomonts were necessary. MrEasthopo, as visiting monibcr, / reported having visited the' schools | during the mouth. The Chairman called attention to the cadet fund, aud to the faot that JSBI was now owing to the captain. Ho thought tho amount should bo paid as soon as possible. After some discussion Mr Easthopo , moved that the sum of £2O be refunded to tho cadet fund. Mr Mackay seconded.—Carried. Mr Eton was appointed visiting member for the month. The meeting then adjourned.