General Assembly.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1133, 27 September 1879, Page 2

General Assembly.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. [I'XtESS ASSOCIATION.] THURSDAY. GOVERNORS SPEECH. The Speaker took the chair at 2 p.m. Shortly after, the Governor entered, and elivercd the following speech : — Honorable Lkgist.a.tivf, Councillors and g-entlemkn ok tjik hotoe 01? Uki'RKhentatives, — In opening this, the seventh Parliament of Now Zealand, I am sure you will unite with mo in an earnest hope that tho new Parliament may be distinguished for the enactment of such measures as shall be most conducive towards promoting the happiness and wolof tho people. "We have reached what is, perhap, as yet, tho most important epoch in tho history of the colony, and tho future will very much depend upon the impress Avhich may be stamped upon it by the action, of this Parliament. It is a matter for congratulation that, notwithstanding tho sevorc monetary pressure and commercial gloom which have for somn time past prevailed throughoiit tfyo world, tho position of this colony is thoroughly sduud. In accordance with constitutional usage, I recently allowed an appeal to the electors of the colony, and they have availed themselves of this opportunity to make manifest their wishes with regard to measures of great importance which it was proposed should be enacted as part of the permanent constitutional law of the colony. Tiie elections having been completed, I have at tho earliest possible period called you together, te avail myself of your assistance in considering these measures, and in carrying on tho necessary leglisation of tho country. My j responsible advisers, following up tlicliue of policy which was indicated during the last session of the lato Parliament, have prepared measures giving eficct to the inoHSures which were then made KnoAvn to the country. Amongst these there tnll be submitted to you a bill to amend the law relating to electors qualified to vote 1 at the election of members of ' the House of Representatives. In this measure, tho broad principle is adopted that every man who p:iys taxes and is otherwise affected by legislation, has aright to representation A bill which will also cslaiin your consideration, is out* which proposes to.rodiux>. tho longest period for which the House of IJcprtsentatives can sit, from jive years to three years The enactment will render ciicli member more directly awouutij.bje to hifi constituents than he at present js 0 and \yil|. sogiivo to the electors tho power, of returning- members so fronuajitly to the Mouse o.l: .llepyesfmtatives, .t.liat public opinion, Avhicli oiten in now isouutried .takc.4 it new directiou froin the rjijtid.lv varying oirennvst-j-ucos of such eo.m:aiimtji.\s, wijil be fnirly roprosonfc'-'d in eyciy shiipo winch that opinion, may assume. .But tli.ese provisions will be of .Koi^piu.;,it,ively little yalue, unle>H the <;yi|stitueucieH i,ire so arranged that ijj, as far as praoticubh?, tho population iu each el(?/*toral district respectively shall be (lu)y rop>-os(mtcd. Tins right was assured to tliQ people pf JiTcw Zealand, and by tlip

British Parliament, in the Ant which originally gave them a representative constitution. The measures on this subject, which is to bo submitted to you, will Mibstautially secure a return, and an adherence for the future, to that important principlo (]i the Constitution Act. Thuso three measure? aro, iu the opinion of my advisprs, so equitable in themselves, and so accordant with 'mo spirit of nioderu times, that, should they become law, there is, the Government believes, every prospect that a feeling oc general contentment would bo permanently established in the colony. 1 The power of legislation would then largely rest in the hands of the people of Now Zealand, and it is to bo hoped that tliey will always maintain within its litu.it:; an equitable .system of taxation, a just administration of public lands, and a sound system of local .selfgovernment. The alterations which will be produced in the Constitution Act by tho proposed measure will be but slight, whilst they n.vo evidently in accord, with tho popular wish. A .Bill will bo submitted for your consideration, to .suspend plurality <»J! voting in cases of elections of local governing bodies, whilst those bodies arc .subsidised out of tho. general revenue of tho colon) r . Measures will, he also submitted to you, Avhioh will.onable those desiring !.o occupy small farms or rural allotments to obtain possession of lands muiili more readily, and at a smaller cost, than tiny can bo obtained under tho present system. i Gkxtlkmi-.n' op Tin:. I;!ot:sk nv .llvvnv.skntativkk, — The Estimates will bo laid before you, accompanied by iiua.nc.ial measure's ea.lcula.l-.od', in tho opinion of my Government, to promote tho intnrosts of (he colony, and to maintain its credit. A \>ery general desire appears to e.v^t that consideration .should bo given to tho best moans of promoting and encouraging manufactures and local industries in this colony. AVith a. view to g-ivo effect to this desire, you may probably think it advisable to appoint a select committee to inquire into and report upon tho subject. The public works in progress continue to be vigorously prosecuted, and you Avill bo asked to make .provisions for the further prosecution of those works which have already boon by. Parliament:, in pursuance of the. intention of the Legislature in. the session of 1878, considerable pains have boon token, by tho Public Works Department to ascertain the best route for connecting by railway tho East and West Coasts of the Northern portion of the Middle Island, and also the best route from Amberloy to Cook Straits. As those are works of great magnitude and importance, and must inA r olve a very large expenditure of public niouey, it is doomed prudent, iu order to take advantage of every possible means of ascertaining the bost route*, that tho relative merits of the various lines should bo carefully considered. With that view you will be asked to submit the whole question to full and exhaustive examination and inquiry by a select committee. Honojiable Lkgislativk Councillor and gentlemen of tub h ottsl-3 of ]IKrKBSBXTATioKS, — A measure AV.ili be laid before you by which, lands, tho property of the natives, and purchased by the Government for the public, will henceforth be sold in small blocks in the open market on such terms as may be agreed upon with the proprietors. My advisers are of opinion that, by the adoption of this system, great advantage will be secured to the whole European population of New Zealand, whilst the natives will have the satisfaction of receiving the full value of their estates, and will no longer be subjected to those importunities and temptations to induce them to part Avith their lands, Avhich have hitherto proved a fertile source of misunderstanding and of j N evil to the two . races. Tho assurance Avhich I was enabled to give to the members of Parliament at the opening of last session, in regard to the peaceful and local action of the native people generally, has been borne out by the rcsidts. No further development has taken place of the fanatical movement on the "West Coast, and the tribes concerned appear to bo quietly awaiting the action of tho Parliament, and of the ordinary courts of law. Steps are being taken for the holding of a full, snquiry into the existence and extent of the alleged p unfulfilled promises in regard to lands. Two intertribal disturbances, arising out of disputed claims to land, have occurred ; in one instance, attended with loss of life. The necessary measures arc being taken to vindicate the law. A bill Avill bo submitted for your consideration to regulate the immigration of Chinese into tho colony. A valuable interim report of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the subjccfGf higher education, has boon roooived, and laid before bathhouses. Whon the final report has been made and laid before both House, no delay Avill occur in placing them before you, and in communicating to you the measures which tho Government may recommend for adoption on the whole subject, which is one of paramount importance to educatinual interests in tho colony. Varions other measures Avill bo laid before you during tho session. On each of these I am confident you Avill bestow your careful attention, exerting yourselves in all respects to promote tho "interests of this colony,- the destinies of Avhich Providence has in so large a measure entrusted to your charge. In all your efforts to attain this and, you may rely on receiving my really earnest co-operation. I sineorely trust that a spirit of wisdom and of sound j iidgment may animate * each branch of the Legislature.