PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2644, 22 June 1889, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

THE OPENING CEREMONY,

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH,

[IIV TEI.Kf.HAPH.] ) Wellington, Thursday. A r.r. the galleries were crowded ti> witness ' tliu opening of Parliament, and the scene i was a brilliant one. The Chamber has . been entirely renovated, and the [ light attached. Tlcie was the u-oial guard 5 of honour and n royal salute was fired by 3 the Artillery. The Countess of On-l-w, . accompanied by Lady Dolameie, Lady Evelyn Moreton, L idy Gwendoline Ons--1 low, and Miss Cholmondoley entered before iho Governor, and Wire conducted to seats on the Viceregal dais. Mis Excellency entered dressed in the Pirst-class Civil Service uniform, aeconiiianied by Captain Saville (A.-D.C). Mr R. Walrond (Private Secretary), Lieutenant-Colonel Butts, and the Consuls of France, Sweden and ■ Norway, Germany, and Denmark. The attendance of members was small, not t more than 40 being present. [ In opening the third session of the tenth P Parliament of .\ew Zealand His Excellency f the Governor was pleased to make the fol- ,' lowing speech :— l HONmARLEGENTLKMENOin'HE LEGISLATIVE , Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— It affords me much pleasure to meet you in Parliament assembled so soon after my 3 assumption of the government of the colony. 1 The period whichhaselapsedsincomy arrival i has been too short to permit of my visiting the various parts of the colony so as to I enable me to take a comprehensive view of , its capabilities and resources, but what I have seen has favourably impressed me. During my stay in Auckland and my overland journey to this city, and while I have resided here, I have noted with gratification the variety and extent of the natural 1 wealth of this Island, and the energy and ' industry which have been displayed in promoting the work of colonisation. I have also been much gratified by the cordial and loyal reception which has been given to me 1 as Her Majesty representative at this and tho other places which I have visited. IMPROVED STATE OF COLONY. i It is alike my privilege and my pleasure on this the occasion of my first meeting you to be ablo to congratulate the colony upon ' a much improved condition of affairs. RETRENCHMENT. The efforts which have been made to reduce the cost of administrating the government, and to increase the public revenue, have fortunately been successful. I am glad to be able to state that the reductions have, in the opinions of my Ministers, been effected without in any way impairing the efficiency of the public service. While my advisers claim for you and for themselves a part in bringing about this result, they recognise that it is greatly due to the happy change 1 which has been goingon in the circumstances [ of the country. The increase in tho value , and volume of many of its products has made the task of retrenchment easier, while it has had the effect of adding to the revenue. THAME AND CAPITAL. There are encouraging signs that the i improvement which has taken place will continue; with the higher prices which have been obtained for its chief exports, while 1 adding to the capital and increasing the income of tho country, and in restoring the confidence in its resources, which, for a tune, seemed to have been almost lost by many colonists. ; SETTLEMENT. This is shown, not only by the large amount of capital expended in industries ; which have been found remunerative, but in the extent of hind which has been purchased from the Crown, and in parts of the colony from large owners, who have subdivided their holdings iuto convenient areas and ottered them for sale. A large addition has thus been made to the land brought into 1 useful occupation, while confidence is being restored among colonists, and a renewed . vigour is being shown in promoting our industries. New Zealand is coming to be regarded with greater favour by persona outi side the colony who are in search of a home, , or a place of resort for recreation and ' health. OUR CIiEIHT. Judged, too. by the value of its securities in the London market the colony's credit has, from month to month during the ' past year, steadily advancing in England. EXPENDITURE. ! My Government, while restricting unrotnunerative expenditure, have recognised the judicious outlay of money in developing the resources of the country, as occasion required. They, have, therefore, in pursuance of the authority given by you, let for construction such works as they believed were likely either directly or indirectly to be remunerative, Detailed infor--1 mation on this subject will be laid before 1 you. 11UNE1HN EXHIBITION. One of the most pleasing manifestations of the increased confidence of the people in tho colony's future is furnished by the determination of the inhabitants of Otago to hold in Dnnedin an exhibition of Industries and Pine Arts ; and, by the favourable response which they have received from other parts of the colony to their invitation to join in the undertaking, my advisers regard the enterprise as one likely to have a beneficial effect generally, and you will, therefore, be asked to sanction an arrangement which has been entered into by them to assist in bringing the exhibition to a successful issue. RAILWAY HOARD. During the recess my government have brought into operation, '"The Government Railway Act, ISS7," and have placed the railways under the management of three locally-appointed officers. After careful enquiry, my advisers came t» the conclusion that it was impossible to get from abroad, for tho salary which they were prepared to ask you to vote, a Chief Commissioner, to whom, they considered, they would be justified in entrusting the great powers vested in that office, while, on the other hand, their experience of Mr McKerrow pointed to his being a person well qualified to fill the office. My advisers believe that their choice of Commissioners will be justified by results. LANK SALES. The sales of public land within the colony have been very satisfactory, both as to the quantity disposed of and the class of persons who have acquired it. Much of the land has been taken up in small areas, and by persons who are making their homes upon it. The sales of runs which have lately taken place show that there is increased confidence in the great industry of wool-growing. My Ministers are confident that by careful administration, and by taking advantage at Reasonable times of opportunities for opening up the country, New Zealand will soon be made to occupy that prominence as a home for a thriving population, which her position, climate and resources fit her to attain. Gentlemen or the House of Repkeken - TATIVES. THE ESTIMATES. The estimate of revenue and expenditure for the current year will be brought before you at an early date, when they will, I have no doubt, receive your careful consideration. The estimate of expenditure has been prepared with a duo regard to economy. Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— new bills. There will be laid before you for your consideration a number of Bills dealing with matters of great public interest. THE UPPEK HOUSE. My advisers are of opinion that the time * has arrived when alterations should bo made in the constitution of the Legislative Council. They regard the present mode of appointing members and their appointment for life as unsatisfactory and not in keeping with the rest of our Constitution. A Bill will, therefore, be submitted for your consideration, making alterations in these and other respects. REPRESENTATION, My advisers- are of opinion that the time has come when the laws regulating the election of members of the House of Representatives should be reviewed and a new departure taken. A Bill will be submitted for your consideration which will provide for a mode of election founded upon, what is commonly known as, the Hare system. The Bill will also amend the qualification required for electors, make new provision as to the mode of registration, and provide a more effective measure of purifying the rolls. My advisers believe that these, and the other provisions which the Bill contains, will render it possible for the public will to be expressed by election. CIVIL SERVICE CLASSIFICATION. My advisers beliere that until a measure tlissif'yiug the Civil servants, and providing for promotion and remuneration

upon delined principles shall have been passed into law, the Civil Service can never be placed on a proper footing. Thoy also believe that this question is intimately connected with the economical carrying on of all public departments, and they have, therefore, prepared a Bill dealing with the whole question. HO.SI'IT.U.M AND CHAMTAIILK ATI). A subject which has been found a difficult one to deal with in all countries, that of the management of hospitals and tho distribution of charitable aid, has "•-paKed much public attention throughout Lue colony. A Bill has been prepared in accordance with what my advisers believe to bo the principles which have been found by experience to insure relief of deserving persons, and, at the same time, to avoid the danger of increasing the evil which is incident to indiscriminate aid, and your careful and patient consideration will be asked for this dilHcult subject. THE ruoraiTY-TAX. My advisers have had tho Property-tax under their earnest consideration. While the state of the colony's finances renders it impossible to forego any considerable part of the revenue derivable from this tax, they recognise that some of the provisions of the Property Assessment Act ought to be amended, with a view to removing objections which experience has shown can reasonably be made to them. There will, therefore, be submitted to you a Bill dealing with this important matter. JflN'Olt JIBASUHHH. Among other measures, there will be presented to you for consideration Bills dealing with the law of copyright in New Zealand ; tor consolidating and amending the law relating to patents and trade marks ; for regtilatir.fr the registration of medical practitioners and constituting a Medical Council ; for improving the mode <-f registering transfers of personal property, and for consolidating and amending tho law of bankruptcy. CONCLUSION. I commend all these matters to your careful consideration, and I assure you of my earnest desire to co-operate with you in your efforts to promote the welfare and pros perity of the colony ; and I pray that your labours may, by the blessing of Cod, conduce to the well-being and the happiness of its inhabitants. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THURSDAY. Tho Council met at two p.m. ADDKESS-IN-KKI'LY. Aftor tho Governor's speech had been read, Hon. Mr Campbell gave notice to move the Address-in-Reply. colonel Hum's death. Intimation was received that Colonel Brett's seat had become vacant by death. LEAVE &t' AHSENUE. Leave of absence was granted to Hon. Dr. Grace and Hon. Mr G. R. Johnston. The Council adjourned till to-morrow. FRIDAY. The Council met at 2.30. but adjourned immediately as a mark of respect to the late Col. Brett, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THURSDAY. The House met at five minutes to two p.in., when a message was received from the Legislative Council to hear tho Governor's speech. NEW MEMBKII. On tho House resuming at twenty-five minutes past two p.m , Mr Harkness, the new member fur Nelson, took tho oath and his seat. NOTICE OF DILLS. Notice was given of the introduction of Bills as follows :—Kicht Hours Bill (Mr Taylor), Town Districts Act Amendment Bill (Mr Rhodes), Divorcft Act Amendment Bill (Mr Samuel), Cemeteries Act Amendment Bill (Mr Izard), Auctioneers Act Amendment Bill (Mr Samuel), and the Shop Hours Bill (Mr Joyce). ADDKHSS-IN'-KKI'LY. Mr Harkness gave notice that he would move next day the A.ddress-in-Roply to the Governor's speech. THE MINISTER Of EDUCATION. Replying to Mr Reeves, Sir If. Atkinson said it had been arranged, and would shortly bo gazetted, that Mr Hislop would take the portfolio of Kducation. The House rose at a quarter to three p.m. FRIDAY. The House met at 2.00. Mr Saunders, member for Lincoln, took tho oath and his seat. questions:. Replying to Mr Fisher, the Premier said ho had no objection to lay on the table the correspondence on the subject of the retirement of the Minister of Kducation from the Cabinet. Replying to Mr O'Connor, the Premier said he would consult the Railway Commissioners as to the desirableness of planting tlio railway reserves with flax. hills introduced. The Bills of which notice was given yesterday were introduced and read a first time. The House adjourned at 3 10 till 7.30. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The Premier intimated if the debate on the Address-in-Reply was finished to-night, lie would bring down the Financial Statement on Tuesday night. The Public Works Statement would lie brought down as soon as possible, but he could not say definitely when. ADnIIEHS-IN-IIKI'LV. Mr Harkness, in moving the Address inReply, paid a graceful tribute to the late Mr Levistam. He gave credit to the Government for retrenchment, and niaint lining an equilibrium between the revenue and expenditure, which had resulted in improved credit ;\t Home. He appealed to tho Premier to bravely face the question of taxation, and repeal the Property-tax Act, tho revenue from which was not commensurate with the evils it is doing us asa people and nation, Mr Lawiy seconded tlio motion and denounced the Property-tax, which was a tax on industry. He objected to the constitution of liie Railways Boa id. Tho Bill providing for the board would never have passed if it had been known that Mi- Maxwell was to be a member of the board. He failed to see any necessity for the Electoral Bill. Mr Walker said tho policy of I he Government was the policy of the late Government. Tho present Opposition must therefore join in offering congratulations. He thought when the surplus was examined it would dwindle, to a very small matter. Referring to the Railway Board, he felt certain the House would not have passed the Act had they not expected that an expert would be engaged in England. He opposed the proposed reform of the Upper House, and condemned tho Hare system of election. He thought an amendment of IheTPrOpertytax necessary. Mr Taylor ridiculed the Hare system, and asserted that the single electorate system was the best. Mr Veirall said the Government evidently thought a State bank a very trivial affair, as no reference was made to it in the Governor's Speech. Mr Hutchinson regretted the absence of many important matters from the Speech, especially the Chinese (iuestion. He said our securities were still live pounds in every hundred loss than those of the sister colonies.

Mr Taiwhangn regretted theie was no reference in tho Speech to native matters.

The motion v/as then put and carried, without a division, and the House rose at 10 7 p.m.