GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XXIV, Issue 2661, 12 June 1896, Page 2

GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Hon. Qkntlkmsn op thb Legislative CnTJNCIT, AND GbNTLRMBN OP THE IL-tjjk up Ukprrsentativks,— It affords me very great pleasure to aiT'iiu meet you in Parliament assembled, am? to have recourse to your assistance and a'lvicei During the recess Her Majesty* loyal subjects in New Zealand, as in all other pnns of herdom'inions, viewed with anxiety and concern the complications which threatened for a short time the peace of the world. It is a matter for congratulation that war, with its attendant evils, has been averted, and the prestige and bonds of the empire maintained without recourse to arms. The whole of the forces of the colony are now armed with the new approved weapons, the Martini Henri ; the permanent forces have been increased, and every e£orfc has been made to make the defences efficient. The frequent presence in New Zealand waters of the Admiral and the Australian squadron is also a matter of congratulation to the colony, not only as a material evidence of nn ever reidy first line of defence, but as a constant reminder of our intimate connection with imperial interests. I -was abe, during , the recess, to visit the Bay of Islands and the romantic and historic parts of the colony north of Auckland, •and wns much gratified by the cordial and loyal reception everywhere given to m«. In response to an invitation, I, with p'e>sure, visited the.chief* of the Tiihoe., th« chiefs and the people of the Native, race in what is known as the Uriwera country, and afterwards those of the NV.itimfriooto. Th« loyalty expressed to'her iniij -!-ty, togeih.r with the friendiy greeti 114/3 und hearty welcome accorded me personally, will ever be imprinted in memory, and I am fully attired that friendly relations with these once turbulent and warlike tribes have be< j n firmly e.etalvishfd, and that they are now ; eatable and loyal subjects [ «i>ngratnl»i« y-;ii upon the satisfactory relationship of the. two races, and on the general benefit arising from the r> cent legislation 'affecting native lands and the native land courts. The , natives in all parts of the, colony have evidenced si desire to have their lands opened by roads, and thus bring themselves into closer touch with civilisation. Their nnxiety to have schools established in their midst shows that they are alive to what will prove of great moment to their children in the future. lam pleaded to bo ahle to inform you that the long standing and much vexed question in connection with tho Wairarapa lake has satisiactorily ?ettled, and has been the occasion of much rejoicing. The construction of roads through the ITriwera country is making aatisfactory progress, and the reception of nativn schools at Runtoki to W'iiiti nnd Wnikare Moana will soon be completed. During the recess changes in the Ministry have taken plat'p, the Hen, tSir P. Buckley having resigned his mitiisteriai offices and his sent in the Legislative Council was appointed to be a j'jdge ot the Supreme Court. I feel assured you will joiD with mp in deploring tho loss tbe colony has suffered by his de<th so shortly after assuming- that position. Next the Hon. W. P. Reeves tendered his resignation and was appointed Agent-General, Mr Hall-Jones has been called to the Ministry with the office of Minister for Public Works, and the Hon. W. C Walker and the Hon. T. Thompson have been appointed members ot the Kxecutive Council, and to facilitate the th« administration of public nffairs, they and the Hon. J. Carroll have been allotted portfolios without salary. The finances of fhe colony continue to be sound, and afford good r,eA?on for.general satisfaction. Strict regard to economical administration in v every department has-been considered essential,' and once more I'aim in a position, to state that the provision made by Parliament has been more than sufficient for currying the

pnhlic services, Tlie public nccomitH show a substantial FUTplus of revenue over expenditure. I am glad.Jo con-: grntnliite you-on tlie gfwatly improvedcondition ofiHffiiirs..nnf] the general prosperity of nil p>irtß of the cnlpnjrij The temporary flppinsßion which prevnilpd:. some two years ago is fnst passing away williout an) , fiii , -reaching , ' effects.s Rβ-' newci hopes ere.boin<r realised wilh every: prosioct of a b.riuht and lusting ;fiitur«. Most of our staple products havo price, and the discernment of oar agriculturists in respect to grain growing has

with a profitable return. Thesteady upward tendency in the price of wool and grain an! other products is a matter for congratulation. The unprecedented'falls of snow in portions of the higher l»nd in kelson, Canterlury nnd Otago, by which large numbers of shez-p were destroyed, was a heavy and unlooked-for dis&stpr to the pastoralists and ranholders in those districts, but the loss has to some extent been lightened by measures adopted by Parliament last cession to remit renewals and extend the term of Icasesi In March last a mining disaster, unpnralleled south df the equator, occurred in 'the 'Bi'uriner mine, on the Wetft Coast of the Middle island, by which the sixty-seven miners empiriyea therein lost their lives. An expression of Her Mfij-'sty's sympathy *nd 'that dt the Secretniy of State for the Goldnies was transmitted to me by telegraph, dnil Her Majesty's command I caused it to be 'forwarded to the relatives of these unfortunates. I also immediately con* vpypd my heartfelt Sympathy with thfc effioted throughout New Zealand ; and in the other colonie3 the deepest sympathy has been evinced, and has assumed a practical shape. The heroic work done by the rescuers, at risk of their own lives, is deserving of all praise, nnd entitle-? them to the respect and esteem of their fellow men throughout the Empire. I have thought it advisable to issue a royal commission to inquire as to the cause of the accident, and its report will be placed before you in due course. The revival of gold mining has been most noteworthy during the past year, resultin? in an increased output of gol<l by ft quarter of million pounds stg. over the ouiput of the previous yenr. The great mineral wealth of our colony is attracting the attention of capitalists in many parts of the world, and with security of t< nuro and capital expended in the legitimate prospecting and development of oar mines, there is every reason to believe that the gold-mining industry of New Zealand will increase in importance , : besides affording relief to the 'labour market by drawing off a'considerable number of men to remunerative employment. The goldfields in the Auckland provincial district receive at present most attention, whilst those on the West Coast of the Mid lie Island are bein* bmught into prominence ; bui there is every reason to believe that the gold depoßits of Otngo will shortly command the attention which their prospects end possibilities demand. The dispute in respect »o cyanide patent has nol yet been settled. The settlement of the people on the land has progressed most satisfactorily daring the year, and the henefita accruing under the Land for Settlement Act have been greatly appreciated. That land is sought for by the people of the colony most eagerly "'is proved by the fact that for most of the section thrown open there havn beena liireo number of applicants. In respect to the method of taking application anH dealing with i'he same, uuforeseen difficulties have occurred, and to prevent duplication and ensure a proper class of settlers., remedial provisions' will require to be made. The bene6cient effect of the Government Advances to Setters Act has been clearly demonstrated, an 3 the decrease in the rates ot interest previously chnrged has proved to be a great boon to those engaged in agricultural! and pustorril pursuits. Every precaution h is been taken to see that advances I have not teen made except upon gOttd I securities and in ascordance with law. The j pxlreme care taken in respect to the securities first offered doubtless limited the number of loans, but it is now conceded that the effect Iras'been to compel care in making application, while the increasing aggregate amounts advanced together with the increasing number of applications received weekly, leads to the belief that on the whole the Advances to Settlers Department with its new machiery will henceforward work satisfactorily, fhe system of grading and cool stornge of our dairy produce have proved satisfactory. Uniformity has been achieved, and higher prices obtained, and with an increased number of competent experts the Department of Agriculture hopes during this year to further improve the results of dairy farming, and there is general belief that New Zealand butter and cheese will ere long command the highest prices in the markets of the world. Recently a conference of fruit growers was held in Wellington, and was attended by experts from other colonies and from all ports of New Zealand. The results were very encouraging, and should be productive of lasting benefit to the fruit industry! The opinion was generally expressed that New Zealand, from the nature of its soil, climate and other natural advantages, was destined to be r great fruit growing country. The colony was congratulated for being first in Australasia to have the proceeding of the conference fully reported, and recognition was made of the advantages to this and the other colonies of publishing in the records of the colony the valuable papers and discussions thereon dealt with at the conference. The improvement in the price of kauri gam has nad a marked and favourable improvement in that ii)dustry i and those engaged therein flre fairly well satisfied with the results for the year. Well founded complaints hare been made by the gum diggers of 'he absolute impossibility of ascertaining Kccnrately the price of the gum in the market. It is a matter for regret that he once flourishing and remunerative (i ix,industry has languished during the your, consequent, on the unprofitable t-rices. ruling. With n view of fostering ih« industry and meeting a loner felt want, a subsidy bonus wan offered for in,proved flix dressing machinery, but so tar without satisfactory results. The matter is deserving of and will receive every attention and withproper grading in*.

.'|v.,ved machinery and capital awaiting investment at low raises, there is every prospect rif the industry becoming once more payable end lasting. The medical conference held in Dun«din was

thoroughly 'representative in character, •and was "ttencled by many ■ able professional men from Australia and all parts ■of 'N*w --Zealand, 'it gave meveryniuch pleasure 'to attend the opening of the conference. The 'results of their labours' wijl assuredly :prove beneficial to suffering humanity. The proceedings of the ■ conference were folly reported, and the papers and discussions thereon will be read with great interest. The public •health branch was particularly interesting and instructive, and if the suggestions made are given effect to, great 'benefits will be derived therefrom. The 'proposal of the Imperial authorities to ! b«nd over the control of Norfolk Inland

'to New South Wa'.es is of momeut to this colony, as it is possible that the 'island in question may be a landing point in connection with the Pacific cable, and ■on this and other grounds my 'protested against the proposed change, "The Imperial authorities hare decided to re-consider the question. The correspondence on the subject will be laid 'before you in due course Tbe census 'recently taken, so far as results are 'known, goes to show (hat the population •cf the colony has lately increased during: the past five years, more particularly in the North Island. This must be attri* 'buted< principally to the-rapid settlement ■which,is proceeding and to the develop-ment'-of mining and other industries ? In the Middle Island there has been a fair increase in the "whole, and in those "parts, particularly in the West Coast, •where there has"beer, little or ntfincrease,

'it is satisfactory to note that with the almost certain increased development of 'coal and gold mining nnd timber industry, population in thope parts will surely increase in the near future. When I 'last addressed.y;vu, I mentioned the'fact 'that the Midland Railway Company'had •failed to complete its contract.; that great injury to the colony would result 'owiflg'to-the consequent-locking up of } five million ncres of land, and that the arbitratory demanded by the company •had beon postponed by the arbitrators. The arbitration on this important quessince taken place The Company claimed- over £1,800,000, and afier inquiry' Listing over several weeks, the 'umpire (the Right Hon.' Edward Blake) found that the Company had no claim -against the Crown, nor any right to recover any sum of money from thp Cro-wn in respect of the said claims. "Ths umpire farther found that the nn--reesonable and inexcusable delay by the • company in the prosecution of the works connected with the railway, , and also the -wilful breach of the contract as between ■the company and the Queen, justified 'mem taking possession and assuming the management of the railway ; and •that the power to do so had been rigluly • exercised, the good faith of the colony 'having been impugned by the company, and the honor and integrity of its public j men bsing at stake, the finding of the empire is eminently satisfactory. of the House of Repkb- ■ skntatives,— ;

The estimates of revenue and expen *? f ture for the current financial year will laid befjre yon. The estimates of-ex' • penditure have been prepared with a due (regard to economy. The increased demands in connection with edacation, school buildings, technical schools, the .post and telegraph service,'roads to open •up lands for settlement, defence forts and defence -works have been considered, >and votes for these purposes will be •placed before you.

JHoN. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen the House of Representatives,—

The prevention of undesirable persons coming to New Zealand, especially the ■Chinese, is of gret/t importance, ac effect--ing the we'll"being and purity of our race, end as unduly disturbing out trade nnd "industries. In-consrqaeoee-of the Auetra • ilian colonies hnving taken eteps to protect themselves, end from otber causes in increasing number of Chinere and rape aliens -have at a recetit date arrived in 'N»w >Zeal»nd, and my ndvisers'thereJoro deom itneceseary that restrictive measures of a complet3and compreheni-ive nature should it an early date he enacted. A bill dealing with the Biibject will be laid before yon. As you ere aware, an Act was passed last session empowering thifl.colony to enter into a reciprocal irenty with South of that -colony, however, declined to pass a teimi'ar menfura- . My Ministers deem it advisable th»t steps should be tiken ti fsciliteta tie opening up of fresh markets for our product-; and th*t fmt'ier effoit9 should be mede In-the direction of recipro•oily with the .Austrnli>in colonies, t'm •umpire and iti deppndenciee. It is with much pleasure tbrttl »m »H1« to annonnoe lhlit there ere evidences wlioh, dining the letter poVtion of ! tl)e lest "fißTicial yesr, ■afford proof of substantia! pros;ress baving'beeo made ; nnd the incroaped revenue through ; the Ciißtomi on aitfdefl not fiSdCtell by the tiriff of last saesion goes •for 40 prove 'that the' earning power of the .;p&o'(ile : liaeiinproverf, and wMi'fehe marked growih of our populntion, of. iidvanoeroent in prices of our staple products, the out ■ look ie most promisinp. :R."*arne will be laid before you showing that during the year there has beeD-rnotw.ijbhstendinj* the •granting of Urge remintiioris ; enconr*ging bur indoetries generally—B eteady increase iti revenue from : nearly all brAnches of triffio upon rail ways thas afiording evidence ol.an adrnnce in the colony. The. Kfcepe taken, ti open up a, trade for our timber in the 'London market hue not with that «nccee» which -was anticipated IFroni lite informtioo to hanfl. however, tha.e is every wUb" care being taken to spnd ■puifjvblo timber, of; a trpfle I ping eMftb'i-lipH with the Of po nf Good Hopp at d liiH Johannesburg golrlfieMe in tlw Transvaal. The Miccess wjiicli has BtlprVrled eonfrr?ncee in re«pont to fmit .growing, dairying nnd other leads niy adviners to hope that a conference of persons connected with saw mill-

1 ing end timber inriuetrifle would be con- . rlucivo of much goo.i. .At an early dft'e ■ such a conference will to convert. My advisojH have de<?m«d it oxp-uiiem in lue publio intr««t <-> *bol,i«h-the • ' D'l«yf>ci System , f.r :«u-, which hie hrherto ■ existfid, eh-! in 'i-ii tiwof have reduced the .-I,*--,,-. 1. t.- <r»n-M,r-<.i'>n of <>Hi nar.y iol^b-..»-• ■!« : » »'Hi«ip-t-i n.rtt the inure-*-* 'in Use nurtiVr »' "■■••errems wi-l-.nore-tlrin -o >« ' V, • bit*: co«f fliiiMilfid, * h,,1 conf r if, ~ H 4;rHllt ' boon on the P'in'io w thoui mcreiwmff tue burden of the taxpayer. In respect '<v the bank leßieUtion of !<wt β-won und the management of the Bank of New -Zealand, ciremnatancea h«vo tran-pired, which, in (he opinion of ray ttdvis»n», render it necessary that Btppe should be taken to remedy, certain defectp, and to ine«re the ir:tdre«(»of the oniony being propoily BeffS«ardfd. For ih* fourth timo you will 'be epke'j (o relief to retepayers by a Bill authoriping looal "anthontiea to levy rnteß npon improved land value?. . This eyptpm ac you are aware, now olitnina in tesj)eot of direct taxation for Government purposes. Bille hiive ts prevent neurions a of itrterent beiner charged, and to enable loc<»t bodies to apply 4 th9 co-opurotive pystem to the construction of works under their eh rg<\ A Bill dealing with prospecting for told and the coding of land by tho Natives for mining purposes will ba placart bßfnre you. You will be asked to coneirler biUe dealing with lani for exilement, wotkmen'e villagoa, State laboor farms, wages protection, private benefit societies, limiting the houra of labour, ohl »ge penaiona. the referendum, local government, Government fiie insurance, special jariee, matter of apprentuspa. fair rents, Goverumnnt valuation of Unds, advances to eett!ers } and a'coholin liquors sale control. You will be asked t) consider an importan'. change in the electoral law dispensing with the registration of electors on account of property.; alao securing'the represßntation of majorities and dealing with changes in the boundaries of the electoral. Icommand these importantmattßreto-yoiircar-fulconeiderfi-<ion, and eurneit'y beg to aasure you that it is my deniro to wiAi to co-operate with-you in promoting the beat interests of the colony, «nd I tru4 llMt with the blessing of God your deliberations imy result in the increased happiness and, prosperity of the people of New Zealand