THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. [BY TELEGRAPH.] Wellington, Tuesday.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1892, 21 August 1884, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. [BY TELEGRAPH .] Wellington, Tuesday.

The first session of the ninth Parliament of New Zealand was this day opened by the Governor, when his Excellency was pleased to give the following speech :—: — Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Repkesentatives. It affords me much pleasure to meet you again in Parliament assembled, and to have recourse to your assistance as early as the arrangements consequent on the rethement of the late Administration have permitted. My advisers are of opinion that it is undesirable that questions of abstract policy should at present be dealt with, further than circumstances render imperatively necessaiy, and that concentrated attention should be given to urgent matters relating to the material interests of the colony. As far as time will allow, it is proposed to deal with such matters during this Mission. Great impoitance is to be attached to iinpioving the industrial resources of the colony, prominent amongst which may be mentioned the mining interest, the promotion of settlement, and the advancement of local production and manufactures. It is of the first consequence that the country should possess satisfactory and sufficient industi ies. The subject requires very careful and comprehensive treatment, and little in such a direction can be effected through the Customs tariff, which is already very high. The progiess of public works also demands resolute attention. It will be necessary to consider caiefully the position of those works now in progress, w ith a view to determining how they shall be proceeded with. It cannot prove economical to construct woiks in a manner so slow and fragmentaiy as to postpone indefinitely any return from the money expended. On the other hand the colony should be careful to restrain the exeicise of its borrowing powers within reasonable limits. My Ministers consider that a great deal of the pleasure which is brought to bear on a Government to construct woiks in unprofitable fragments, arises thiough the fear that if works are delayed Parliamentary authority for them may be withdrawn ; and aie therefore of opinion that it would be expedient to determine that the public faith is pledged (unless under very exceptional circumstances), to the works which Parliament once sanctions. If this assurance be well understood, the various districts concerned will be contented to see woiks carried on in a manner compatible with eaily returns from the expenditure. My Ministers consider that great care should be exercised with regard to extending existing engagements. Some woiks aheady commenced require to be caniod on vigorously, such, for example, n& the Otago Central Railway. The .small length of line requhed to connect Napier with Palmerston North should o.l»o receive oaily attention The authority to continue the Nelson line tolionndell should be e\tended to connecting Nelson with the line between the East and West Coasts of the Middle Island. The trunk .system of this island would then be neaily completed. The line to connect the East and West Coasts of the Middle Island, to which I ha\e ju&t referred, is of great iinpoitance. My advisers will propose, to you to endeavour in the first instance to piocuie its constitution by ending private enterprise. There is every reason for believing that the West Coast of the Middle Island possesses mineral resources of enormous value, indeed, asiegaids coal and gold, the e\isttence of such lesouices uiidei highly remnneiative conditions has been pio\ed. The pioposed railway will greatly benefit the district, but for the proposed de\ elopment of the capability of the West Coast, other measiucs will be requhed whilst the railway works are in pi ogress. 1 commend the whole subject to your earnest consideration. The completion of through railway communication between Auckland and Wellington is a colonial work of vast importance, which must be hastened to a conclusion with the utmost possible expedition. It will be proposed to you to appoint a select committee to repot t upon which route it would be most expedient to adopt. Authority will be asked to enable the .State to acquire extensive blocks of land along the line of this railway. My advisers are of opinion that lands adjacent to this and other railways should be set apait for the settlement of a largo number of families, upon conditions calculated to ensure theii piosperity ; the area for each family being limited by law, you will recognise that it is of great moment that the lands in the North Island that are now held by natives should be put to productive uses as rapidly as possible, either by the natives themselves or by Europeans. It is.'thereforj, very desirable that the best means of enabling the natives to dispose of their lands when they desire to do .so should be adopted. It will be useless to provide machinery foi the sale 01 leasing of native lands unless the natives themselves are favourably inclined to make use of it. My Ministers, tlieiefore, whilst consideiing that the piesent system has most objectionable features, propose to postpone final legislation on the .subject until next session. A temporary Act may possibly be necessary, but the object kept in view i< I to come to an understanding with the natives during the recess as to the plan which, while not inconsistent with the interests of the colony, will most likely lead to a result satisfactory to the Maori race. Plans will be submitted to you this session if possible, for strengthening and improving the system of local government by giving to local bodies larger duties and an assured income.

Gentlemen ok the House of E-epkesen-tatives,— Estimates of revenue and expenditure will be laid before you with the least possible delay. My advisers are of opinion that the present expenditure for departmental and other purposes may be considerably contracted. My adviseis consider it necessary to establish an equilibrium between expenditure and receipts. They greatly object to the present propei ty tax, and will propose its repeal at the eai host moment practicable. They are favourable to an equal and moderate land tax, deducting fumi the value of the land itnpiovementh, and a reasonable amount of exemption. The results of sucli a tax should, as far as possible, be localised in accordance with the proposal to strengthen local government.

Honouuable Gentlemen ok thk Legislate i: Council, and Gentlemen ok the Hou.se of Representatives. My Ministers consider that the present management of the colonial railways is open to much amendment. A measure will be submitted to you to provide for boards of management in the Middle Island and in Auckland subject to Parliament retaining control over the tariff of charges. Your attention will be called to the expediency of promoting trade and commeroial relations with the South Sea Islands. Amongst the measures to bfl brought before you will be bills to improve the conditions under which married women may hold property, and to incorporate and place under adequate management the Life Insurance Department, with provisions for establishing local boards elected by the policy-holders. I commend to your most earnest attention the large interests confided to you, and I earnestly hope that, with the blessing of God, great advantages to the colony may result from the discharge of your arduous duties.

[BY TEEEGRAPH.— SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. J Wellington, Tnesday. Parliament was opened this afternoon bv the Governor with the usual ceremony. His Excellency • was attired in Windsor uniform, ' and was accompanied by his Aide-de-Camp, the German, Danish, and American Consuls. The Legislative Connoil Chambers was crowded Tjvitb Hpectators. There was a large assemblage of ladies, including Lady Jervois, Miss Jervois, Lady Vog'el. About ft) tnemfcers of the Lower House were present: The business in, the House of 'Representatives was ■ purely formal, v Ministers 'i?a!venotiQ« of 'the ap.pqintment^ofHthe niau'dlli sessional ,oom« pritteis. JSHf^vewfiMSk very large number riotices^ijf^mpjiipn, petitions;^o.>: X ,shsj ,tbe, 'stis- 1 'anyjmemberi may .-be .al-

ability to get on his feeb. He explained that his object was to enable his coll a?ue Sir J. Vogel to address the House in that position, owing to his btate of hexlth. Sir Julius Vogel made a Ministerial statement, explaining the formation of the Ministry. He sud the late Government had exercised a wise precaution in not resigning before members meet in Wellington. The speech which they had just heard compiehended the policy of the Government better than an ordinary ministerial statement made by him (Sir Julius Vogel). * He thought it was due to the House to explain why, having been entrusted with the responsibility of forming a Ministry he did not take the position of Premier, but it was solely on account of the state of his health which would prevent him from being so constantly in attendance as a leader of the House should be. Bessdes, being Colonial Treasurer, he would naturally have to devote a l.irge amount of time and attention to the preparation of the Financial Statement. He added that he and his colleagues were in accord on all points of practical policy. The House then adjourned till to-morrow. The greatest inteiest was taken in the proceedings. All the galleries were densely crowded, which is very unusual at an afternoon sitting.