Opening of Parliament

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2471, 12 May 1888, Page 2

Opening of Parliament

« THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. [by TELEORAI'H.j Wellinoton, Thursday, The second session of the tenth Parliament of New Zealand, was this day opened by tlio Governor, when His Excellency was pleased to make the following speech HONORAIILE (; ENTLEM UN OK TH E LIJO IST,ATI VE COUNCIL, AND GENTLEMEN Of THE HOUSE Of REPRESENTATIVES. — It affords mo much pleasure to again meet you in parliament assembled. Although 1 am not able to congratulate you upon any decided change in the condition of the local industries of New Zealand, or of the trade of the country, it is satisfactory to know that signs of improvement are not wanting. While some classes of produce are unfortunately low in price, tlio increase which has taken placo iu the value of wool must beneficially affect the people. MIMNT, ItKVIVAL. There are also encouraging indications of a revival in the mining industry throughout the colony. Considerable sums of money have been lately invested in the acquisition and development of mining properties which can only be rendered profitable by a large expenditure of capital. It is belioved that through the introduction of machinery suited to the treatment of refractory ores found on our goldfields, large tracts of country now lying useless will be profitably worked. Through the use of new appliances, large portions of New Zealand will be rendered available for working, and thus an almost limitless source of wealth will be opened up. KETIt ENCH M ENT. During the recess my advisers earnestly endeavoured to give effect to the will of the country by reducing the public expenditure. The task imposed upon tliem involved much anxi.ius consideration, and they have sought to make every reduction compatible with maintaining the elliciency of the Public Service. OIVIL SERVICE. The question of the classification of the Civil Service of the colony is intimately connected with that of retrenchment. My Government believed that it was necessary, in order to put the Service permanently upon a proper footing, that the subject should bo dealt with compi ehensively, notwithstanding the difficulties which have grown ii]) through the absence in the past of any uniform plan in its different branches, A Bill has been prepared, dealing with the Civil Service in a manner which it is believed will meet with your approval. It is hoped that the classification which it is proposed to effect under it, while rendering economy inoie easy of attainment will act beneficially upon the service itself. My Ministers wish to place upon record their appreciation of the manner in which the civil servants as a body have aided in carrying out the changes necessary to effect economy. They have readily furnished information and advice, and have displayed a willingness to fall in with an altered system, although it, in many instances, entailed reduced remuneration and increased duties. The task imposed upon the Government has thus been much facilitated. NAVAL DEFENCE. You will be gratified to lea'rn that the building of war vess'N to be supplied under the provisions of " The Australasian Naval I'efence Act, 1-887," is being carried on by the Imperial Government with all possible expedition. The time is therefore not fur distant when we may expect to see in Australasian waters a naval force which, acting iu concert with our land defence--, will unsure the safety iu times of war of this part of the empire, and protect its trade. Tne harbour defence works, which forms a necessary part of any scheme for the protection of the colony against external danger, have been so far completed as to render it unneccessary to maintain the past heavy expenditure. My Ministers have, therefore, been able to effect large reductions in the annual cost of the Defence Department. They believe that, notwithstanding such reductions, the colony is now fairly well prepared for any emergency which may arise. The thanks of the country are due to Major-General Schaw for the very valuable assistance and advice which have been given by him in connection with the completion of these works, and the re-organisa-tion of the forces of the colony. His experience, the benefit of which was freely given to my Government, has proved of great advantage. THE LAND ACT, ISS7. The anticipations of my advisers as to the beneficial effects of the Land Act of last session have, so far, been verified by events, and relief has been afforded to many hard-working holders through the operation of its clauses. Considering the time which has elapsed since this Act come into force the number of desirable settlers who have been placed upon the waste lauds by means of its operation is very satisfactory. Full information will be alforded you with regard to this and other matters connected with the settlement of Crown Lands. EDUCATION REDUCTIONS. My Ministers aro pleased to be able to state that t.lie economies rendered necessary by the reduced vote for education have been carried out without impairing the system. They regard its maintenance in a vigirous condition as essential to the public well-being. Papers on this subject will be laid before you. THE NATIVE QUESTION'. I have much pleasure in informing you that the attitude of the Maori race is marked by much good feeling towards the Government. It must be a matter of congratulation to both races that Tawhiao should at last have seen that it was to the interest of himself and his people that the two races should be united under one Government. The action taken by him may be regarded as the final ( abandonment on the part of natives, of their wish to establish a separate authority for their own government. Bills will be submitted for your approval which have been prepared with due regard to this 1 consideration. j Honouraiile Gentlemen of the House : OF REPRESENTATIVES,— The estimates of the revenue and ex- ( penditure for the current year will be ( brought before you at an early date, when j 1 have no doubt they will receive your careful consideration.

HONOKUiI.r. GENTT.EMEN OF THE IjKGIHLAtivk Council, and Gentlemen of tub House of Representatives,— INFLUX OF CHINESE. The Chinese Question is becoming one of serious difficulty, and my advisers consider that until some common ground of agreement is arrived at between the Imperial Government and the Government of the Chinese empire, this colony must join with the other Australian Colonies in a measure of a restrictive character. A Bill dealing with th«j subject will be laid beforo you, THE lIABBIT I'EST. The Rabbit Pest, which lias long been a matter of the gravest importance to this colony, has received careful attention, although the means which have been in use have, I am happy to state, proved sufficient to keep it in check. They are not calculated to completely remove the pest, and my advisers have, therefore, taken stops to have the question thoroughly considered by competent gentlemen in the colony, and they have joined with the other colonies in causing the subject to be investigated in Australia. In furtherance of this subject they deputed a New Zealand settler of experience and high scientific attainment'' to attend the experiments which were arranged to be made by tho representatives of M. Pasteur and others. The result of these experiments and the report of the New Zealand representative will bo placed before you as soon as possible. IIAII.WAY UEFOBJI. Time has not permitted the carrying out of the reforms contemplated by the Government Railways Act, 1887. Applications have been invited from those desirous of filling the office of Chief Commissioner, but a selection has not yet been made. Until this has been done, it is impossible to have the Act put in force. THE TARIFJT. In accordance with the undertaking given by my Ministers during the last session of Parliament, alterations in the tariff will be submitted for your consideration. By a readjustment of duties it is hoped to remove certain anomalies which periodically appear in the tariff. One of the objects of this readjustment will be to afford further financial aid in carrying on tho departments of Government, while due regard will also bo paid to tho effect which the alterations will have upon the trade and manufactures of the colony. LAND REVENUE. The question of croating a means of readjustment, from time to time, of tho rents payable by deferred payment settlers aud by

tenants of the Crown, and of Municipal and other public bodies, h is received careful attention. A Bill dealing with this subject, will be laid before yon. MIDLAND ItAII.W'AV. The Midland Railway contract, after much deliberation, has been prepared upon the lines decided by Parliament, and now awaits confirmation by the company in England. FISHERIES. The attention of my government has been directed to questions relating to the establishment and preservation of fisheries, upon which subject a Consolidation and Amending Bill, dealing with many important matters, has been prepared. ELECTORAL AND OTHER LAWS. Bills for the amendment and consolidation of the electoral laws, for the maintenance of discipline in the naval and military forces, for remedying defects in the Municipal Rating and Land Transfer Acts, and for the repeal of the Crown *nd Native Lands Rating Act, will bo submitted to you. These and other important measures to be laid before Parliament I commend to your careful consideration. CONCLUSION. I earnestly hope that with the blessing of God, you may be enabled to discharge your arduous duties with advantage to the interests of the colony. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (by telegraph—press association.) FRIDAY. The Speaker took the chair at 2.30. kullamy's. The Hon Mr Mantel broughtnp the Recess House Committee's report, which suggested reforms that would reduce the expenditure in connection with Bellamy's by £f!6 10s per month. ADDRESSIN-RKPLY. The Hon. Mr Fhara/.yn gave notice that on Thursday he would move the adoption of an Addressin-Reply to the Governor's Speech. The appointments of the usual Sessional Committees were given notice of by the Hon. Mr Stevens and the AttorneyGeneral. The Council adjourned at 2.40 . HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THURSDAY. The House met at 1.50 p.m. and repaired to the Legislative Chamber to hear the

Governor's speech. NEW MILLS. Oil resuming, notice of the introduction of several Bills was given. ADDRESS-IN-REI'LY. Mr Vincent Pyke gave notice that he would next day move an address-in-reply to the Governor's Speech. CHINESE INFLUX, Sir H. Atkinson gave notice to introduce a Bill to amend the Chinese Immigration Act. PROCEDURE ItULKS. Sir 11. Atkinson also gave notice to amend the Standing Orders. ELECTORAL HILL. Hon. Mr Hislop gave notice to introduce an Electoral Bill. The House roso at 2.50 p.m. FRIDAY. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NOTICES OF MOTION. Notice was given by Ministers of the appointment of the usual sessional committees. Hon. W. Fergus gave notice of the introduction of the Naval and Military Settlers and Volunteers Land Bill. Mr Beetham gave notice of motion that a portion of the proceeds of totalisators on racecourses bo given to charitable aid. 11AILWAV COMMISSIONERS. Mr Fitzherbert asked whether the Government proposed to appoint the Commissioners under " The Government Railways Act, 1887." Mr Mitchelson said the Government intended to make the appointments when suitable persons for the office were found. THE CHINESH. Mr Reeves asked the Premier what steps the Government propose to take to prevent the large numbers of Chinese now in New Zealand waters from landing in the colony. Sir H. Atkinson said it was not proposed to take any such steps, Me did not, in fact, know there ware any Chinese now on the water. Ho explained the provisions of the Bill he was going to introduce that afternoon. There would be no difficulty at all in bringing such a bill into operation for this question could only be dealt with by approval of the Imperial Government aa it was a question of foreign policy. He hoped the Bill would be assented to at once and that it would prove effective. Government considered it would have been a breach of faith to prevent the lately arrived Chinese landing, and that if such measures were taken, complications might follow, which would bo worse than an increase to the population of the colony by 1000 Chinamen (hear, hear). At the same time they felt very strongly that such importations should be put a stop to, and were of the opinion that the Home Government should bn moved to enter into s:nne such treaty as that recently made between America and China. BILLS INTRODUCED. The following Bills were introduced : — Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act ISSf) Further Amending Bill: Educational Franchise Bill: Chinese immigration Act Amendment Bill: Electoral Bill: Otago Central Railway Bill : Kamo and Kawakawa Connection Railway Bill : Bill to oxtend and amend the law relating to divorce : Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act 18S"i Amendment Bill (No. 2).

The House adjourned at 3.10 p.m. till 7.30 p.m.The House resumed at 7.30. ADDRKSSIN-KKri.Y. Mr Pyke moved the Address in-Keply. He said the depression had been brought about by the people themselves, and it rested with tliem to free themselves from it. Tne mining industry, if it received proper attention would be an immense benefit to the colony. He regretted the Government

had not the backbone to raise tlio school age. He thought Great Britain was coquetting over the Chinese question. They must not forget she also had to sustain friendly rclitions with the colonies. He said his recent visit to Australia had shown him that neither protection nor free-trade was essential to the well being of a community. Tho Hare systemwould never prove workable. Mr Carroll, while seconding the Address, gave the Government to understand he did not pledge himself thereby to support everything it contained. As to native matters he hoped legislation would be more satisfactory than in tho past. What they wanted was full power to dispose of their land as they liked, with safe guards against fraud. He had heard Tawhiao intended to refuse the Government offer, and if so they should deal with him with a very firm hand, The Chinese agitation seemed to him opposed to English ideas of fair play. He was thankful for the promised repeal of the Crown nnd Native Lands Rating Act. The motion was then put and carried on the voices. The House adjourned at 8.50.