OPENING OF THE NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 672, 16 June 1870, Page 2

OPENING OF THE NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

HIS EXCELLENCY'S ADDRESS. (BY ELEOTRIO TULJEGBAPS.) "Wellingtoh - , June 14. Parliament opened, with usual ceremonies, at 2 p.m., by the Governor in person, who made the following speech ■ — Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,—lt is with great satisfaction that I have recourse to your assistance and advice ; 1 am glad to be able to congratulate you on the steadyprogress which has been made, under exceptional difficulties, during the past year—in the suppression of rebellion and the establishment of friendly relations with the Native race; in the renewal of industrial enterprise in the recently disturbed districts. In referring to these results it is only just that I should testily to the ability and zeal displayed by Mr Ormond as agent of the General Government. I tru-it that it will be your determination to continue the "beneficial policy of

strengthening our peaceful relations with the Natives. Active operations in the field, for the protection of our settlements and for the defence of our loyal Native fellow-subjects have been necessary during the past year. Those operations have been conducted with considerable success by Native parties UDder the command of the distinguished chiefs, Major Kemp, Major Ropata, and Major Topia; and I gratefully recognise the valuable services which they have rendered The conduct of the Militia, Volunteers, and Constabulary forces deserve bigh commeudation. Correspondence will be laid before you which will make you acquainted with the state of the negotiations conducted by the Colonial Commissioners with the Imperial Government, on the subject of troops. I congratulate you on the establishment of steam communication with the principal port of the United States, on the Pacific Coast. This service brings the Colony into direct intercourse with that great nation and can hardly fail to lead to results which will confer great benefits on this Colony ; it also provides speedy communication with Great Britain. Tour attention will be invited to the condition of the depression under which the Colony labors consequent on the compaI'ative suspension of colonization during the last few years. With the view of* renewingthegreat work of colonization, proposals wiil be laid before you, to provide for encouraging and aiding immigration and for constructing public works. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, —Estimates of expenditure of the coming financial year will be laid before you, and, while providing for the efficiency of the Public Service, they will exhibit a strict regard to the economical administration of the various departments of Government. Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representative, —I am happy to inform you that the Telegraph has made most satisfactery progress in various respects. Communication is open with Patea and Taupo, and is being rapidly extended to Tauranga. Tou will be glad to learn that the New Zealand Commissioners are negotiating for the construction of a cable between New Zealand and Australia, and you will be asked to consider the subject. The beneficent measure for promoting life assurance, which you passed last session, has been brought "into operation, and short though the time has been since that date, it gives every prospect of success. Amongst other subjects, you will be asked to give your consideration to measures to re-adjust the representation, to provide lor vote by ballot, to amend the Law of Bankruptcy, to enable local rates to be readily recovered from absentees, to red uce the duty on gold of an inferior quality, to reduce the rate of interprovincial postage, to re-unite, at their own desire, the Provinces of Otago and Southland, and to facilitate the registration of titles and the transfer of land. I trust that the Divine Wisdom will guide your deliberations, and that your united labors will result in the establishment of permanent peace and the promotion of the general prosperity of the Colony.