GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 147, 3 July 1901, Page 3

GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

Wellington, last night. In the Legislative Council Chamber this afternoon, His Excellency the Governor read tho following address to the assembled legislators : Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,—lt is to me a great pleasure to meet you again in Parliament assembled. Since the last session of Parliament, an event of a strikingly sad character has overtaken the nation in the death of our late Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, who passed away on the 22nd day of January last. On her demise becoming known, one great throb of grief went forth throughout the civilised world. It was our late Sovereign’s constant desire to promote the best interest of her people, and to maintain their liberties, and improve their conditions. Her greatness and good works will livo for ever, and her reign has added imperishable glories

to our Empire. In the death of our late good Queen Victoria tho world has suffered an irreparable loss. She was loved and revered by her subjects, and her

memory will ever be in their hearts, and well may it be fervently said that “her grave was watered by a nation’s tears.” Messages of sincere sympathy and con-

dolence were forwarded by me to Ilis Majesty the King and the Royal Family, !o which the following reply was received Tom the Secretary of State for tho C’olotics : “ Ilis Majesty tho King and the loyal Family command me to express heir sincere gratitude, in which His Majesty’s Government join, for tho sym-

pathy of Now Zealand in the lamented death of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. On

tho death of his beloved mother, His Majesty assumed the throne as King Edward Vfl., and tho people of this colony most loyally acclaimed the reign of the new King, and his assumption of the tin-one was with fitting ceremony proclaimed at the threshold of our Parlia-

ment Buildings. In almost every city, borough and county throughout the colony similar functions took place, and the people with one voice exclaimed,

“ Long live tho King.” The most pleasurable event since the foundation of the colony was the recent visit of their Royal

Highnesses tho Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, and the enthusiastic and loyal reception given them by tho people of this colony will, I feel assured,

lie remembered with pleasure. Tho addresses presented came spontaneously from a free and devoted people, and breathed loyalty to His Majesty, his throne, and Royal person. The enthusiastic welcome and receptions given to their lioyal Highnesses tho Duke and Duchess were in all parts of tho colony visited heartfelt, sincere, and universal. The demonstration by the people of the native race at Rotorua was magnificent,

unique, and historical, and it is questionable if ever again there will be another such gathering of the noble Maori race.” His Excellency then procoedod to quote the Duke's letter of farewell and appreciation.

With the dawn of tho now century,

the birth of tho Commonwealth of Australasia was celebrated. Now Zealand was officially represented by the Premier and Native Minister. The Commonwealth Parliament was opened by Ilis Royal Highness tho Duke of Cornwall on tho 9th May, and was a most imposing ceremony. Tho Colonial Secretary . and Minister of Education officially represented this colony. It will bo pleasing to ail well-wishers of tho colony and the inhabitants of tho Cook and other islands to know that by letters patent dated tho 10th May, 1901, Ilis Majesty has approved of tho extension of tho boundaries of the colony so as to include tho islands mentioned in the resolutions passed last session by the Legislature, and by proclamation issued by me, and read in the presence of their lloyal Highnesses on

their arrival at Auckland, the boundaries have been so extended as from the 10th day of June, 1901. As you are aware, representative troops of the Imperial and Indian army were present at the Australian Commonwealth celebrations, and subsequently arrived in our colony, and it was with sincere pleasure I noted the hearty reception extended to them by the people of New Zealand. The hospitality shown them was much appreciated by the officers and men. The officers in com-

mand, an leaving, expressed their appreciation of the hospitality and kindness shown. lam pleased to inform you that

ic United States warship Brooklyn, ider the command of Hear-Admiral

Kemy, visited New New Zealand, and after a short stay at Auckland, came on to Wellington. The Bear-Admiral, his officers and men, were accorded a very

hearty welcome, and will, I feel sure, carry away with them a kindly remembrance of their visit to this colony.

I regret to say that the war in South Africa still continues. The successes, however, that have attended the vigorous efforts made by Lord Kitchener afford every reason to anticipate that ero long the war will come to a close. The first; second, and third contingents have returned to the colony ; tho fourth and fifth arc on their way homo, and on tho 29th their safe arrival at Albany was reported. The sixth and seventh Contingents were sent to relieve tho contingents returned and returning, and the colony has now in South Africa about one thousand officers and men. They are fully maintaining the high reputation for bravery, courage, and gallant bearing earned by Now Zealand troops that preceded them. It is n pleasure to mo to announce that the commencement of the construction of tho Pacific cfible is now an accomplished fact. The contract has boon signed, a Board of Advice has been formed, and the work of laying the cable is progressing, and this Imperial work, advantageous alike to tho colonies and the Mother Country, will, it is expected, be completed well within the next year. I regret to say that some friction has arisen owing to the Government of New South Wales, one of the contracting parties, having granted concessions to the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, which are deemed inimical to the Pacific Cable scheme. The others of the contracting parties were approached with the same object in view, hut Vomica to oe any parties to doing am tiling which would militate against the success of the Pacific Cable. This course will, we tool sure, be appreciated? It is the first time that the Imperial authorities and Canada have, with the Australian Colonies and New Zealand, undertaken a work of Imperial and Colonial importance, and nothing should ho done which alters the situation until after consulting, and with the concurrence of all the contracting

parties. I regret to state that the bubonic plague still continues in some of the other colonics. It is pleasing, however, to know that New Zealand is free therefrom. The Health Act of last session is working well, and every precaution is taken to ensure the health of the inhabitants of our colony, and to prevent the dreaded plague reaching our shores. In connection with health matters, I am pleased to note that the native race, under the powers given by the Maori Councils Act of last session, are using every precaution, and are improving the sanitary condition of their kaingas. One of the native race who is duly qualified has been appointed a health officer, and I have every reason to believe that the health of our brethren (the native race) will he improved, and that the death-rate will be redneed. During the recess Koyal Commissions have been appointed to inquire into and report on matters aff®fing the coal mines of the colony, the disposal of mining debris into certain rivers, the Midland

railway, federation with the Commonwealth of Australia, and the possibility or otherwise of a colonial scale of salaries for the teachers of New Zealand.

On the Ist of January last the penny postage scheme came into force in this colony and has given universal satisfaction. I sun happy to E&y it is a pro-

: nouneed success, and it is more than probable that within two years, as the result of the increased business, the revenue will equal that previous to the reduction. My Ministers regret that up to the present several of the Australian colonies have not seen their way to adopt the system, and are surcharging our letters. I sincerely hope the time is not far distant when the penny postage will be adopted by the Australian Commonwealth, and bo universal within the British Empire. Many nations that have not adopted the penny postage system within their own countries have most willingly consented to our penny rate. On the 31st March last, a census of the people of the colony disclosed a substan- [ tial increase as compared with the census of 1896, and a considerable increase as compared with the census of 1891. The increase on the whole is not unsatisfactory, yet in a young country like this so favorably circumstanced there is room for improvement, especially in respect to the natural increase, and the falling off in the birth rate gives ground for reflection and anxiety. One pleasing feature of the late enumerating of the people is that there is a marked increase in the number of the Maori race, and the outlook in this respec

is cheering in the extreme, and exceptional in regard to aborigines when surrounded by and brought into close contact with other races, their customs and environments.

The system of cheap money to settlers continues popular, and is very satisfactory, and during the last few months, when there was a tendency to increase the rates of interest, tho cheap money scheme of tho colony proved a great boon, not only to settlers but to all requiring to borrow. My Ministers have under consideration an amendment of the Advances to Settlers Act, to mc-c-t the cases of lessees on education endowments, who claim to have advances made on their improvements in excess of tho amounts mentioned in their leases, upon which the educational authorities have agreed to pay compensation.

Fair progress has during the year been made for the purchase of lands for closer settlement. The earth hunger continues, and to meet the demand tho acquirement of lands suitable will be vigorously proceeded with.

The law in respect to acquiring lands within boroughs for workmen’s homes has proved to bo defective. Owners, on being notified to place their land under offer, have immediately transferred portions to relatives, so as to bring the area within the limit allowed to bo retained, thus defeating tho object of the legislature. Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : Tho estimates of the year, with due- regard to economy and the requirements of tho colony, will in the ordinary course be placed before you. Until tho war in South Africa is at an end a normal condition in respect to defence expenditure is impossible. Owing to the largo demand caused by unusual conditions in tho English money markets, it was not deemed advisable to follow tho usual course of raising money required under the Aid to Public Works Act in London. My Ministers doomed it desirable to raise tho half a million loan locally, and tho experiment has proved entirely satisfactory. The amount askod for was almost doubly subscribed. A pleasing feature was tho number of small amounts that were offered, and offers of LSOOO and under were allotted in full. There was no commission or payment for underwriting, tho only expenso being that of advertising. An important departure, and one which my advisers anticipate will bo followed in other colonies, was that of the interest being made payable in Now Zealand, Australia, or London. The traffic and revenue on our railways, I am glad to say, still continue to increase, and an increased expenditure of necessity follows. With tho arrival of tho extra locomotives and rolling stock on (Continued on page 4.)