The Bush Advocate. SATURDAY, JUNE 21. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Bush Advocate, Volume IX, Issue 796, 24 June 1893, Page 2

The Bush Advocate. SATURDAY, JUNE 21. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

> The . customary speech »: delivered upon the occasion of the opening; of our annual -assembly of politi-i oians gives promise of some in-i tereßtin'g ,work. .fßeforifi in the 1 Native *Land Laws is prbmised. It has, always been, promised, , .-The; presentGoverhment 'seem to thinkj something more is really necessary,! that the question must W grappled; with, .and. that laws must. be : 'enacted that Will plaoe 'the rights' r cf the Natives and Europeans on a -just and equitable basis. That'isthe only course open. There have boon all sorts pi; schemes , concerning the Maori lands. They were to be burst up or bought up, it did. not- matter .which,, so long. as. the i Europeans, got<hold .of them.. Now, the fact is that no. purchase scheme, whatever that does not equally' apply to the Jands of the Europeans is possible to be adopted by the House.. .That there are vast tracts of native lands that could be settled can be readily admitted. They should be, reached by taxation, and when you commence to tax then the pwners are .entitled $o the' same privileges and, .rights as other owners. " • The measure to be introduced will probably be a system of leasing aomew-hat similar to tha,t whioh -is now working so successfully'on the west coast of this island. There is, according to the Speech to bo a sheaf of ' Labor' Bills, particulars of which will be forthcoming in due time. Other measures nre also included in the programme, and need not be referred to now. As. regards .the position of the colony we think the Ministry may- be pardoned 1 for making use of the exceedingly congratulatory phrases with which the Governor's speech ie ' 'composed. With the largest surplus on record, and a good stiff majority the Government has reason to be'- jubilant.