THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Evening Star, Issue 7197, 27 April 1887, Page 1

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

It may be said of His Excellency's Speech—or rather of the Speech prepared for him by Ministers—that, like Famtaij's papers, it records " but one halfpennyworth of bread to an intolerable deal of sack." As might have been anticipated, reference is made to the melancholy record of the deaths in the Legislative circle which have occurred since last session. Then the Jubilee commemoration comes in for comment, and His Excellency is made to repeat what the circular of the Colonial Treasurer has already said on the subject. The next four paragraphs, touching the Conference and defence, require no comment, except that they admirably illustrate the saying of the French statesman: "Words, like weeds, shelter bare surfaces." There is a tench of jingoism about them which betrays the authorship. Nevertheless, their general tone is quite in consonance with public feeling; and it is satisfactory to know authoritatively that " the firmness of His Excellency's Advisers" (a faculty they were not supposed to possess) " in urging the claims of New Zealand to be " regarded to some extent" (it is not explained to what extent) "as a distinct naval station has been crowned with success." As Dominie Sampson would have said: " Prodigious !" Critically analysed there is not very much in this statement. As we read the proceedings of the Conference, all we in New Zealand are likely to get is increased naval protection at our own expense ; and, strange as it may appear to the Ministerial mind, which is ss jubilant over the matter, it really appears that the mere recognition of New Zealan'd as "a distinct naval station" does not carry much comfort with it.

At any rate, neither Jubilees nor Conferences, nor even "distinct naval stations" will help the people of New Zealand to better the times. What then have the Government to offer in the direction oflocal—that is colonial—progression !—for this is the matter which more immediately concerns the multitude who are waiting expectantly for better times. We reject altogether the pleasing illusion that the revenue has suffered from the causes alleged in the Governor's Speech. It has suffered in part from the lack of purchasing power, and partly from increased taxation on liquor, which has fostered illicit trading, as high import taxes always must and do, and as it was predicted the increased taxation on wines and sprits would do. The revenue has also suffered because ef the nationalisation "fads" of Mr Ballance and Sir Robekt Stout, and from the same cause further depreciation of the revenue will ensue ; for the persistent promulgation of their notions has caused a feeling of distrust which has lowered the value of real property in New Zealand to a vast extent. It is not possible to gauge the extent of the mischief that has been done by the practical enforcement of the land nationalisation scheme in New Zealand, by positively thrusting it on people who desire to be settlers, and are compelled to be mere tenants, and who submit to the system, inasmuch as it is the only one by which, under, .the present rdgime, they can obtain foot-hold on the soil. But, like Flixen's antagonist, they "eatand swear."

The reform of the Legislative Council is promised, but it is only to be " considered " when a measure for the representation of the people is being discussed. The Representation Bill is to be so constructed as to provide that " after every census the representation of the Colony will be self-adjusting." That is to say, that the representation of the Colony shall be " adjusted " by some sort of a political totalisator. And it? Includes an una vowed accusation that thej representatives of the people are not themselves fit to adjust the boundaries of districts—which is the only thing in question. i -, The most remarkable part of: the Speech is that in which Protection is smuggled in, after such fashion as can onlyiead to the conclusion that Ministers have not the hardihood to proclaim their views aloud; or, which is equally possible, they cannot agree upon it. Here is the nes little sentence in which it is sneakinglyinferred to: My Advisers believe that, together wiiu agricultual and pastoral ge'tlemrat, it is of jtheutmost importance that other industries should be eOofturaged. This paragraph is redolent pf ( ' Sir Robert Stout. It is what he a noncommittal. It pledges the Government to nothing, and yet opens, out.a yista of vast possibilities. We are told that Parliament will be "invited" to, consider this subject. Why, what sort of invitation is this ! Parliaments are made to consider; eyery subject, and want no Ministerial invitations to do that which it is their duly to do.. But a Ministry is a committee of the'whole, and it is their bounden duty to bring down a policy and to stand or-fall by it. r Jao honest self-respecting Ministry or Minister would retain office for one day if the .policy he desired were rejected by the people or their representatives. Yet here' we* have the spectacle of a Ministry withour a policy, asking the Parliament to advise them how local industries may best be encouraged, and destitute of sufficient moral courage and unanimity to point out the way* <"' There is only one other matter to which it is necessary to make any allusion. Ministers have made the Governor speak of "the good feeling thatis being exhibited by the Maoris towards the Government," etc. In view of the fervid protests made by the Natives against the policy and legislation of Ministers, it seems incredible that they should have had the hardihood to put such an open perversion ef'Jthjytroth and fact into the Speech which they^sked—or, shall it be said, condemned—the Governor to deliver. The Natives are; very far from entertaining the " good feeling,'', to them by Mr Ballancb, whose asseverations on this matter are of equal value to those about Wahanuis aukati spear, which Sir Geobge Gbey exposed. -., f>»' For the rest, we are .promißedi~very little, but amongst the trifles importefl into the penultimate paragraph) "Railway Boards of Advice " are tenderly mentioned. One would suppose that sdcli .an'.*important matter as the Jciur railways was worthy of more than to be smuggled into the,, verjr -jfasp end of a Governor's Speech ; but that it should be so done is quite characteristic* of * Ministry the members of which do nof hold two opinions in common upon any suojeet whatsoever. •'.