The Dunstan Times. CLYDE : FRIDAY, JUNE 19TH, 1896.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1776, 19 June 1896, Page 4

The Dunstan Times. CLYDE : FRIDAY, JUNE 19TH, 1896.

The speech delivered last week at the opening of Parliament was, like most governor's goveenor'b speeches, not very speech., satisfactory. We do

not blame the present Government for the unsatisfactory state of the speech, as all New Zealand Governors' speeches have for some time past contained nothing but details and remarks on what has been done—not what is to be done, which is really what our representatives and the Colony want to hear. We were glad to notice that the rovenue had increased, and also the railway returns, but we will wait till the Financial Statement is delivered before we can venture to criticise the supposed increase. It was to be expected the customs revenue would be increased after the changes in tariff of last session, but we can hardly express pleasure at that. The increase of the gold out-put by £250,000 over the previous year is a matter for congratulation, especially to this district, as we have little doubt our own district has tended largely to the increase. We agree with His Excellency in his rem,arks as to the recent Fruit Conference, and trust it will be the means of furthering the industry, so that New Zealand will in future be destined to become a great fruit-growing country. The remarks as to the alteration of the price of telegrams, we agree with, and we congratulate the Government on having, though tardily, conferred a great boon to the public. We notice that in dealing with this matter some of our contemporaries find fault with the Government for having abolished the delayed system, but we think that they have indeed made a change in the right direction, as the increase of telegrams will compensate for the reduced charges. Even in our own district we understand that the increase in the number of telegrams is very large. We regret to notice in the speech that wo are to have more banking legislation again, but as it is very vague in the information given, we can only hope that it is a matter of arranging a few details, The following is the paragraph: —"In respect to the Banking legislation of last session and .the management of the Bank of New Zealand, circumstances have transpired which, in the opinion of my advisers (the Government), render it necessary that steps should be taken to remedy certain defects, and to ensure the interests oi the Colony being properiy safe-guarded." The above paragraph is we consider most unsatisfactory, and may combined with other events, stir up a great feeling of unrest in business and financial circles, and we sincerely hope that the matter will be brought to the light of day as soon as possible. As this is the first time the banking laws have been referred to in the Governor's speech, we may at all events assume that no sensational surprise is being got ready this year. As usual, a large number of Bills are mentioned. The principal ones we notice are:—-The Referendum, Local Government, Government Fire Insurance, Fair Rents, Advances to Settlers, and the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Bill, any one of which to complete satisfactorily, will be heavy work. At the end of the speech one of the most important matters is referred to, and one which affects the whole Colony very largely—viz., aßill dealing with the changes in the boundaries of the electorates. This is a matter which we have referred to lately, and we trust the Bill will deal with the community of interest, and not be based by Commissioners entirely on the population basis. There is no doubt, from the last census returns, that the North Island will claim an additional member, ■ and possibly two, and such an alteration may make a serious difference to the South Island, but we understand it is principally the West Coast that will be affected by the changes. We join in the wish that with the blessing of God the deliberations of the Legislature " may result in the increased happiness and prosperity of the people of New Zealand.'"