OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2161, 15 May 1886, Page 3

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

[Br TELKGRAPH.] Wellington, Thursday, 2.30 p.m. The third session of the ninth Parlia irient of New Zealand was opened todaj by the Governor, Sir William Jervois, when His Excellency was pleased te deliver the following Speech :—: — Honourable Gentlemen ok the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of tm House ok REPUKSENrATnics,— It atfoids me much pleasure to meet you thus in Parliament assembled. The yeai which is now passing will be memorable throughout the British dominions, as that on which our Gracious Sovereign enters on the 50th year of her reign. You will, I fee] assured, desire to prove that the subjects ol this most distant part of Her Majesty's possessions share equally with Her Majesty's subjects in other parts of the world the highest appreciation of the great results of her long and beneficent reign. You will be asked to consider the most suitable way of showing on behalf of the people of New Zealand their affection and duty to the person of the Sovereign, their love and loyalty to the Crown, their sense of gratification at belonging to a realm enjoying a sway ho benignant, and their desiro to see the bonds which unite every portion of Her Majesty's vast Empire confirmed and strengthened. It is particularly appropriate to such a year that I am able to announce to you that in the opinion of my Ministers there has never been a time when the relations between her Majesty's European and Maori subjects have been of so friendly a character. Maoris are evincing an intelligent interest in colonising operations, and cordially recognise the laws of the colony. They show this excellent disposition by the readiness with which they are seeking Crown titles for large areas of country through which the North Island Trunk Railway will pass, and by their willingness to part with land to the Government for purposes of settlement along the line of railway. Negotiations for such lands are, in the opinion of my adviser*, proceeding satisfactorily, and with due regard to the necessity of a sufficient quantity being retained by the Maoris for their own use. You will be asked to amend the laws relating to the disposal of native lands in the direction which appears to my Ministers best adapted to do justice to Maori owners and hasten the occupation and settlement of the country. Public works have been proceeded with- as rapidly as means placed at the disposal of the Government permitted. Proposals will be laid before you for continuing railways and other public works on a scale consistent with the circumstances of the colony, and in a manner which most calculated to secure sound economical results. New Zealand is suffering from the depression that appears to exist throughout the world, but which is affecting this colony much less than wilier countries*, because of its great resources. My advisers are of opinion that this disnression, rather than tending to discourage the'energies of the people should lead them to additional exertions, and that if concurrently with the progress of the railways abundant opportunity be offered to settlers to occupy and cultivate Kind in farms of reasonable size, farmeis fioni other countries will be attracted to the colony and materially aid its progress. In calling your attention to the giacious compliment which Her Majesty paid to the colonies and India by opening the Exhibition devoted to their products, and to the gratitude which the colonies and India owe to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales for the untiring exertions which have led to the success of the Exhibition, I am glad to be able to say that my Ministers have used their utmost endeavours to secure for this colony an adequate representation. Gentlemen oe the House of RfpbesenTATJVKS —

The estimates of revenue and expenditure for the current year will be laid before you. My advisers fully realise the importance of keepincr down the expenditure to the lowest limit consistent with meeting the requirements of the public service and the wants of the colony. The finances of the country are in a sound condition, and gratifying progress is being made with Ihe conversion of the loans. The 'Frisco Mail Service has been re-established at a cost within the authority which you ga\ c by resolution, and it is gratifying that the contract should have been taken by a New Zealand Company on behalf of itself and a powerful American shipping organisation. It is equally gratifying that New South Wales joins in tho arrangements, and that assistance is received from the United States. ' Honourable Gentlemen ok the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Repkksentatives,—

Whilst giving attention, to the undertakings which it is desirable the colony should carry out, it is not to bo forgotten that the works constructed by local bodies are of essential importance towards promoting and oxtending the settlement of the land*. A bill will be placed before you dealing with the finance of local bodies, and enlarging their power of directly managing their own affairs. My Ministers view with satisfaction the disposition whioh is bsing shown to develop local resources, including those of the mines, the forests, and the fiahtuies. It is of infinite importance to recognise and take advantage of the natural wealth of New Zealand, and to encourage the prosecution of industries of a varied character. .My 'advisers place great faith in the operation of a policy which embraces the points of prosecuting local industries and thus affording abundant occupation to the population, promoting settlement by liberal land laws, constructing railways with a view to openinp the country, aiding the progress of settlement and speedily securing satisfactory economical results, placing local bodies in a position to open roads, and do other useful works, giving to the mining population liberal facilities, and the establishing of friendly relations with 'the Maoris. The arrangements for the construction of the midland railway, under the authority conceded by Parliament, is, in the opinion of my advisers a matter of hearty rejoicing.. Some points of a not material nature will have to be submitted for the ratiticotion of Parliament, The attention of my Ministers has been constantly directed to questions relating to the South Sea It-lands. Whilst recognising the important interest New Zealand has in these mutters, they have carefully avoided exceeding the authority with which Parliament has adorned their papers on the subject will be presented; bills will bo submitted to you to consolidate the law relating to municipalites, volunteers and mines, to establish a parcel post system, and to amend the Charitable Aid and Hospital Act. I commend to your attention the business that will come before you, and earnestly hope your labours will, under the blessing of God, be attended with good to the colony.

fBY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

On the Council resuming, a message was received from the Governor, announcing that ho had granted leave of absence for twelve months to the Hon. J. G. Richmond? and the Hon. Robert Pharazyn. ADDRESS- IN-REPJA'.

Mr Buckley moved the appointment of Messrs Brott, Bailey, Shrimski, Barnicoat, and the mover, as a committee to draw up the Address-in-Reply to the speech. Agreed to. NOTICES OF MOTIOK.

Mr Buckley gave notioo that on the following day he would move, " That Captain' Bailey be appointed Chairman of Committees for the session." Mr Buckley gave notice of his intention to move on the following day for the appointment of the usual sessional committees." The council adjourned the next day.