LEGISLATIVE. COUNCIL. Thursday.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1708, 16 June 1883, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE. COUNCIL. Thursday.

Parliament was opened to-day at two p.m., by His Excelleucy $ir W;.,'Jerrms, K.C.M.G., who wore the Civil"Service uniform of the first-class; the collar and jewel of St. Michael andj.St. Ge(orge fin the insignia, of Companion of the Bath, and the South' African and Parak r 'War medals. A guard of honour was furnished by the' Wellington' Guards,: t^nd th'p D Batteiy of Artillery fired the salute. The whether was'c'old and wet, but there was a f large atteiidance^jOL. Lulies in the Council Chamber. Only fifteen members of the Council and ,' twenty members of the House .attended - in the Council. • ' : " ■' - ' ' His Kxcellency read the speech,, ns' follows : ' t • ■ , HOXOCRABLH , GeSTLBMEX. -OF,' THB Lr,«i^L.vTivß Council and GentleMEX OF THE HotfSK OF'RePRESENTA' TTVES, — It affords me 'great ■ pleasure to meet you for the first time in Parliament assembled. , "•, / ! ) f " Prosperity of the Colony. v -'

Since my assumption of the government of this colony, to which her Majesty has been graciously pleased to t appoiut me, I have visited a considerable , portion of each island, and have thui < j, ,been able to, obtain a personal knowledge;/ >§ vaiions districts, and to make the BBhj^vceof. ma,uy,;of the residents. complete . I< ha\o^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| "'the heai^j^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| by the liati^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H in different., pzMl^^^^^^^^^^^^l I was much lmprcssca^NHm^^^^^^^^H by the signs of present pvosp^^^^^^H especially by tlie vast capabilitie^^^^H Zealand, which only, ue6d> 'fWSPI development .1 larger population and more extended markets for the produce of- tb©, colony. I feel sure that as the induce--., ments tins country has to offer become moie fully realised in Europe, increasing . iuunb<.r& of suitable settlers will be : attracted to its shores. ' ,- t

Proposed Annexation of the New Hebrides. A few days ago the Government of Victoria telegiaphed to my adviseis, proposing that New Zealand" should join the Australian ' colonies • in asking the Imperial Govermneut-tp establish Biitish rule over the New Hebrides and other islauds of the Pacific. Realising the great importance of these islands to Australia, and the -serious ~ detriment it would be to British interests bhould they fall into the hands of a lorei^n power, I have telegraphed tp the Secretary of State for the Colonies expressing my full concurrence in the desirability of such an action, and my adviscis at once acceding to the proposal made r to them by the Victoiian Go-, vernment, telegi.vplied to the' Agent-" General of this colony, instructing him to co-operate with the Agent-General of Victoii.i in urging thesj views on the colonial office. On Tuesday last a telegram was received from the Agent-Gene-ral, to the effect that Lord Derby would be willing to promote the views of these colonies on tins subject, if some satisfactoiy assurance were giv<*n' that they would boar the necessary expense.

The Native Question. Since Pailiamcat last met a marked improvement has become apparent in the relations between the JMaoiih on the oue hand ami the Government and European bettleis on the other. On the WeSt ' Coast of tho Noith Island, where great anxiety lecently pi e\ ailed, .there now exists a general feeling of security. The native chiefs Te Whiti and and Toll u have boen released fiom custody, and permitted to return to Parihaka, where they are residing. There is no indication that these concessions will lead to the renewal of the dangetous proceedings on the pai tof the natives. The labours of the West Coast Commission, now drawing to a close, will, no doubt, be pioductive of much good to the Maoiis, and will gieatly promote the beneficial occupation and improvement of the colony by both races. The thanksof , - the colony are especially due to Sir W. ' Fox for his very valuable services towards biiuging about so satisfactory a result. The M.ions who have for so many years maintained their isolation in the district between ■ the European settlements in Waikato and those on the Waitara ha\e now unreservedly renewed their intercourse with the Government and the European population, and it is a giatifying fact that on a recent occasion the important chiefs of the tribe which has hitherto maintained a most exclusive attitude, and which occupies the most isolated part of the colony, have recognised our laws by voluntarily attending at the Supreme Com t in Auckland to give evidence against a number of their own people who had committed a serious outrage dtt ' a party of Government survej'ois. There are grounds for a reasonable hope that in the luture the natives will yield willing Obedience to the laws of the colony. The unopposed reopening of the harbour of Kawhia, which had been clobed to Europeans for more than 20 years, the laying out of a Government township adjacent to the harbour, and the exploration for railway purposes of a part of the colony where for many years Europeans had not been permitted oven to travel warrant the belief that the natives are realising that the development of the resources of the country will most effectually promote their own interests. , I have issued a proclamation under the Act of last session granting an amnesty, without any exception, and there is every reason to believe that the amnesty ha' 1 produced an excellen^ffect on the nati 't population. "*\

, Crown Land", The pressing forward 01 ' »o sin "tyi and the construction of v prior to the alienation of Crown 1 "i >s >,;re pro-, ceeded actively during V p^i jW an( ij satisfactory results Vi» ■ •< *}i» obtained in the pro) j*?or. > > -■v&'Sient settlement. Further oxpeiience in departmental .adminiatration has shown that so ne changes are requisite in the laud lavvti in order to give further effect to t!>s ucdire of, the Legislature that the-. p" i)l.c estate should be so disposed of as to the distribution of the land >'n)o..gst a numerous- and .industrious population. Amendments of existing aota having that object will be submitted for your consideration.

; The Leasing- System. • : "' < During the last session Parliament determined to adopt, within fixed limits, a system of leasing agricultural lauds ■pith a perpetual tenure. The initiation r <j>f the system has been attended with results which may on the whole be deemed satisfactory.

I Immigration. 1 The introduction of population, imder^ the' nominated' 1 - system 'of immigration 3 ivas resumed on itsbeiiig authorised by Parliament, and has 'been carried/ bn , do ring }t\\e''r&cesi{. f The 1 increasing mcili-j ' iiesdf cdm'mfinication' with Entbpe.l'ttle]'' large area 6i' la'rid Which is, being opened' r , for settlement^ b'^ ' rpads' 'arid ' railways'!'"' and the establishment" of new industriea, oi^er'year' b^ 'year greAVer' induccm'^n'tih; iovik^ w*ifodu9tiQtt of i !^|, i

the Bamo Jl limT pbuvfc to the necessity of steadily contin ling tlie-msiptance which is given frcm the publ.c fun la in aid of iimnigiation. . - - • J 7.£iie'Gddfield3.

With' tbti aul of me ney vote.l by Parliament, increased fin llitics for the developntenj, of -the .goldfielcU have bfleu promise^ anB encouragement to this important industry lu.B be en thereby offered. \ 'Large sums liavo been expended by irlvate enterprise in oponing out quartz reefs, and this branch of the industrjr is steadily assuming larger piopoitions,' hi)& bucoming a permanent •ource;6f wealth to tl.e colony.

•" JPrisco Mail Service. I hkvd been able to give effect to the wishes of- tho Legislature by; arranging for the continuation .of the 'Fiisco mail service for a period of two years beyond the termination of the existing contract, at a cost to the colony, ot something less than 'that pi escribed by the lesolution passeij last session. Ihe particulars are contained<in papers which will be laid before you. the Direct Steam Service. m_ *i r_.. " v .i.i._ _^«.-Ki:,.U™.,,-.j- «f o

Tenders for the establishment or a direct line of steamships between Great Britain and the colony were .advertised for hire as well as in the Unitod Kingdom,, but nejthcr the Agent General or the "'Postmaster-General received any offer. . Your, attention to tins subject will lie invited during the session.

The Estimates. GKN/gLHMBX Of THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, — The estimates of revenue and exponditurtyfor the curreut financial year will be laicriscfore you in the course of a few days; '

The Revenue. HoN'OdRAIILK GENTkKtIKN OY TITi; LEOI.Slative Council, and Gentlemkx of Tib: Housr of RfcrßLsEvrvrivus, — Returns will show that notwithsta^y ing coiieidcrablecoimn^jM^i^l^^^B during that are pait in ex of the world advisers to to this subthey have come to the that the object sought JHPPlnbitions would he more elTeetunlly promoted, and at lebh cost, by tlie establishment in London of a vjciinancnt exhibition for the pioducts of the industries of Australasia. It is pioposod to submit to you i evolutions with a \\u\v of inviting the co onciation of tlie se\eial colonifb inteiestcd.

Reform of the Upper House. It ib, 1 thmU, generally concerted that the Legislative Council has for the most; pait rtischaiged its function? with cicrtit to itself and .uhant.igo to the colony, but public opinion ha.s, I bclie\e, conic, or i& fast coming, to the conclusion that the tune has anivert u hen an eluctnc should be .substituted for a nominated chamber. It is obvious tint a constitutional change of such magnitude would not be attempted without mat me deliberation, the inoie so as opinion is very di\ ided as to the mode in winch a suitable constituency .should be cieated. The view of my adviseis on this veiy impoitant subj< ct will be laid before you during the scs&ion.

Other Legislation. There are a nuinbei ot t>u l>jccbs in refeicnce to which legislation is nioio 01 les-> urgently rajuiied, but \\ hieh fur the last two sessions ha\e had to gi\c place to the se\eial liiipoi tant nicasuics that have been submitted by my government for tlio consideration of Pailument, and engiosscd its attention, those measiuen having for the most pai t become law . The pieseut session will, I hope, afford a coin enient oppoi tumt} of dealing w it!i the sul)jccts to ulueh f have ltfoned witli nica^onablu e\pcctation that they may be witisfaetoiily disposed of. ThewoiUot u)iiso!idiitin<; the statutes of the colony has hue 11 <-tuadilv pioceeded with dm ing the iea\<s, and is now fast appioaching coi»plution. Se\e].il consolidation bills of importance Mill l)e brought before you without delay. I do not doubt tli.it all the Lusiness submitted to Parliament will reeehc that attention to which it maybe entitled, and I eamesMy hope that under the bles sing of Ciod your deliberations may result in promoting the happiness and welfare of all classes of Hei Majesty's subjects in this poition of her dominions.

>EW ML.MISI liN. After the Governor had left, Mr J. W. Baunco.it and Mr A. Dc B. Brandon took the oath and their scats.

LKA\ b Or \IM-.NOF. A message fiom the Governor notified that leave lor tlio su^ion had been given to Ciipt. Fiaser, Majui Richmond, and Mr Wood.

KKI'LY TO THi: AI>I)RVSS. Mi- Whifakci, Col. 15.il I ho, Mr G 11. Johnson, and Mr Wilson wcie appointed a committee to piopaie the Ad-dress-in reply. Tlio iibiul foim.il notices Inning been given, the Council adjoin ned .it 2.40 till ne\fc day.

Yl STI.KDAY. Business in the Council to-day was purely formal.