GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1531, 12 June 1891, Page 2

GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

[By Telegraph.] Wellington, June 11. The second session of.the eleventh Parliament of New Zealand was this opened by the Governor, when his ExcoH| lency delivered the following speech : Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative CouncJß and Gentlemen of the House of Repre-^ SENTATIVBB,

It gives me much pleasure to meet you in Parliament assembled, I have been much gratified during the autumn months of this year to meet in many places numerous gatherings of our fellow-subjects of the Maori race. The reception in all cases accorded to me as her Majesty’s representative was such as I can recall with unmixed satisfaction. In particular, I was glad to be able to traverse portions of the country of the Uriwera tribe—hitherto so seldom visited by Europeans. Then: the welcome given to me by no mean: fell short of the cordiality of that bestowed upon me elsewhere and left upon me the pleasant impression that this famous tribe has now, at any rate, ceased to be dangerously committed by the persistent desire for isolation attributed to it for many years past. . I am able, upon the whole - to congratulate you upon the continued evidences of the soundness of the colony’s financial position and the substantial progress made by its chief industries The provision made during the session of 1860 for carrying on the public service has proved more than sufficient. The elasticity of the colony’s resources has been again shown by a further increse in the already remarkable volume of our exports. This has now attained dimensions sufficient to convince the most apprehensive that the resources of New Zealand are far more than sufficient for the fulfilment of* all her obligations. At the same time my Ministers think it would be a mistake to ignore the unfortunate exodus of population from our shores tojthe neighboring colonies, which still goes on without abating. The returns of the census now in course of completion—satisfactory and encouraging as they are in most respects—appear <o show that a stream of emigration, though not large, has continued to flow from these islands to Australia. My Ministers consider that this strange phenomenon—for j such it must be considered in so young and richly endowed a country as this —is well worthy both of systematic investigation, apd of the application and persevering use of national remedies. The alienation of the waste land of the Crown has been going on during the last 12 mouths at a rapid rate. My Ministers, however, are of opinion that for some years past the amount of actual settlement effected has not been quite commensurate with the somewhat large area of land disposed of. While It is doubtless true that a number of genuine settlers have taken up land, it seems also unfortunately to be the case that In many instances selection, instead of bringing about occupation and cultivation, has only meant acquisition for speculative purposes, or addition to estates already sufficiently —if not indeed superfluosly—large. Amendments in the land laws designed rigidly to reserve the demands of our Crown lands for genuine occupation and improvement will therefore be laid before you My advisers propose that the utility of this legislation shall be augmented by regulations designed and administered with the view of planting and increasing numbers of small but thriving occupiers upon the soil. My Advisers are convinced that improved and vigorous methods of settling die waste lands of the Crown, however necessary and valuable do not by any msans com prise the whole scope of the work of settlement. Side by side with the opening up of Crown lands should go the acquisition of portions of the vast tracts stilMield by the Native tribe of the North Island. Moreover, tire time seems to be approaching,when the immense task of re purchasing parts of private estates which now bar settlement in some of the most fertile parts of the colony must be entered npbn and undertaken with caution, justice, and discrimination. During recess a royal commission composed of gentlemen of long special experience of the customs and opinions of the Native race has carefully investigated the working Of the complicated, costly, and cumbersome array of laws which have for so many years lacher hindered than advanced the course of dealing with settlement upon Maori tribal lauds. The full interesting report prepared by the commissioners will be laid before you and yon will be invited to give your assent to laws {carefully framed to further the undoubted desire of the great majority

of Native owners to dispose of their superflous land on fair terms. I have observed with regret that the past year has been marked by a distinct and discouraging decline in the field of our goldfields. During the last three months, however, the raining returns indicate a considerable improvement. It is very gratifying to find that the output from several coal mines of the colony is steadly increasing and has attained an amounr Mtherto unknown in the colony. With tl is in reased output of our own coal mines hers is a corresponding decrease in the qua tity of coal imported. Proposals for promoting the development of the mm ing industries of the colony by legislation and other means will be submitted to you. In accordance with the decision arrived at by the late Parliament, three delegates from the colony attended the National Australian Convention held at Sydney m tile months of March and April last. Ihe Hon. Sir H. A. Atkinson, Sir G. Grey, K.C B. and Captain Russell were accredited for that purpose. The official record of the proceedings of the convention will be laid before you At the Postal Conference held 4t Sydney about the same time this colony Was represented by the Postmaster-General. Hon. GBNTT.itSBS op thb Legislative Council,— I deeply regret that within a period of a very few months your Government has been deprived by death of three much esteemed members. One of these—-the late speaker, Sir Win. Fitzherbert—had completed a public career of more than ordinary length and distinction Gkstlkxibn of thb House op Representatives, j The estimates of revenue and expenditure will he laid before you. The estimate of expenditure have been framed '.vith a due regaid to economy in continuance of the work of retrenchment begun in ISB6 .and carried on by the last Parliament. My Ministers h?ive not hesitivted to reduce the cost of their different departments where they could be fairly and prudently done. In Ibis way substantial savings have been effected, the details of which yon will, as a matter of course, have every opportunity to discuss. My Ministers are of opinion that the time has come for effecting » held reform of the chief part of the direct taxation as now levied. Bills have been prepared for this purpose. In these proposals. however, my Advisers have studi ously borne in mind that financial changes should, as a matter of expediency be made gradually, so as to neither the public sense of security nor run a risk of loss of revenue. SON, Gentlemen of thb Legislative Council and Gentlemen of thb House 0? B.OTMISKNTATIVES,*— A measure will he submitted to you providing for the reform of the Legislative Council in a manner which my Advisers believe will be found to be in accord with public expectation. It will berin your recollections that some time since the Imperial Govermrient invited the colony to enter into an arrangement by which the rate of postage "to' Europe would be're<lneed to? 2id vt letter. The late Parliament signified Us wish that this arrangement should be made and this has laccardipgly heed done with most satisfactory" results. Following on this you will be‘ asked inherit to a still more important postal change which it is Thought will he acceptable to aU sections of the community. Returns will be laid before you containing information of the results of all branches of traffic upon the ( railways. These will present one or twofea- j tqresclalmingyonr special attention. There , ure now ready foryourconsideratioii hills for -consolidating and amending the law rela- j ting to'electors ami elections, and for completing the abolition of plural voting ; for classifying and improving the civil service ; for amending the law affecting gold mining and the working of our coal fields ; for , altering and consolidating the law of bankruptcy ; for defining ‘he law of libel ; for amending the laws relating to companies | and juries ; for fixing the liability of the promoters and directors of companies : for consolidating and codifying the criminal law; as well as other hills dealing with matters of public interest. These hills •will shortly he placed before you. My Advisers propose to prosecute with zeal the -construction of reproductive public works out of such monies as are or may become available for the purpose. In letting contracts for public works my Advisers intend to discourage the pnctice known as “ sub contracting,” and they propose to encourage as far as possible the association of workmen on the co-operative principle In the session of last year a number of hills dealing with matters of special interest to employers and employees were introduced, I,lit only one passed into law. M y Advisers propose to again introduce these bills with certain amendments, and will ask you to j give them your earliest and most careful consideration. In addition to these another bill providing for the establishment of boards of conciliation and courts of arbitration to deal with industrial pursuits has been prepared, and will be laid before you. Id v Advisers believe that a measure of this ■nature is earnestly desired by thoughtful observers of the matter, and in diminishing difficulties which beset the relations of labor and capital, and commend these matters to your attention I assure you of my heartfelt wish to aid your efforts to further the interests of the country, and I pray that your labors may bave the blessing of God, and promote the happiness and welfare of the people of New Zealand.