OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Hastings Standard, Issue 39, 11 June 1896, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. / I'rr F(tr<ir of <tnrsrmiifnt. / lloxoj; able Gentlemen ok the Legislative Council and Gkxtlemex of THE HOUSE OF ItEPIiESEXTATIVES. It affords me very great pleasure to again meet you in Parliament assembled, and to have recourse to your assistance and advice.

Her Majesty's loyal subjects in New Zealand, as in the other parts of her dominions, viewed with anxiety and concern the serious complications which threatened for a short time the peace of the world. It is a matter of congratulation tliat war with all its evils has been averted, and the prestige and honor of the Empire maintained without recourse to arms. The whole of the forces of the colony are now armed with the now approved weapon, the Martini-llenri. The permanent forces have been increased, and every effort has been made to make the defences efficient. The frequent presence in New Zealand waters of the Admiral and the Australian Squadron is also matter of congratulation to the colony, not only as a material evidence of an ever ready first line of defence, but as a constant reminder of our intimate connection with Imperial interests. I was able during the recess to visit the Bay of Islands and the romantic and historic parts of the colony north of Auckland, and was much gratified by the cordial and loyal reception everywhere given to me. In response to an invitation, I with pleasure visited the Chiefs of the Tuohe, the chiefs and the people of the Native race in what is known as the Uriwera country, and afterwards those of the Ngati Maniapoto. The loyalty expressed to Her Majesty, together with the friendly greetings and hearty welcome accorded to me personally, will ever be implanted in my memory, and I am fully assured that friendly relations with these once-turbulent and warlike tribes have been fairly established, and that they are now peaceable and loyal subjects. I congratulate you upon the satisfactory relationship of the two races and on the general benefits arising from the recent legislation affecting Native lands and the Native Lands Courts.

The Natives in all parts of the colony have evinced a desire to have their lands opened up by roads, and thus bring themselves into closer touch with civilisation. Their anxiety to have schools established in their midst shows that they are alive to what will prove of great moment to their children in the future.

I am pleased to be able to inform you that the long-standing and muchvexed question in connection with the Wairarapa Lake has been satisfactorily settled, and has been the occasion of much rejoicing. The construction of roads through the Uriwera country is making satisfactory progress, and the erection of Native schools at Ruatoki, Te Waiti, and Waikarea will soon be completed. During the recess several changes in the Ministry have taken place, the Hon. Sir Patrick Buckley having resigned his Ministerial office and his seat in the Legislative Council when he was appointed to be a Judge of the Supreme Court. I feel assured you will join with me in deploring the loss the colony has suffered by his death so shortly after assuming the position, Next, the Hon W. P. Beeves ten-

dered his resignation, and was ap pointed Agent-General.

Mr Hall-Jones has been called to the Ministry, with the office of Minister for Public Works, and the Hon W. C. Walker andrthe Hon T. Thompson have been appointed members of the Executive Council, and to facilitate the administration of public offices they and the Hon J. Carroll have been allotted portfolios without salary. The finances of the colony continue to be sound, and afford good reasons for general satisfaction. Strict regard to economical administration in every department has been considered essential, and once more I am in a position to state that the provision made by Parliament has been more than sufficient for carrying on the Public Service. The Public Accounts show a substantial surplus of revenue over expenditure. lam glad to be able to congratulate you on the greatly improved condition of affairs, and the general prosperity of all parts of the colony. The temporary depression which prevailed some two years ago is fast passing away without any farreaching effects. Renewed hopes are being realised, with every prospect of a bright and lasting future. Most of our staple products have risen in price, and the discernment of our agriculturists in respect to grain-growing has met with a profitable return. The steady upward tendency in the prices of wool, grain, and other products is a matter for congratulation. The unprecended falls of snow in portions of the higher lands in Nelson, Canterbury, and Otago, by which numbers of sheep were destroyed, was a heavy and imlooked for disaster to the pastoralists and runholders in those districts, but the loss lias to some extent been lightened by the measures adopted by Parliament last session to remit rentals and extend the term of leases. In March last, a mining disaster un-

paralleled south of the equator occttrred in the Brunner Mine, 011 the West Coast of the Middle Island, by which the sixty-seven miners employed therein lost their lives. An expression of Her Majesty's sympathy and that of the Secretary of State for the colonies was transmitted to me by telegraph, and by Her Majesty's command I caused it to be forwarded to the relatives of these unfortunate men. I also immediately conveyed my heartfelt sympathy with the afflicted throughout New Zealand. In the other colonies the deepest sympathy lias been evinced and has assumed practical shape. The heroic work done by the rescuers at the risk of their own lives is deserving of all praise, and entitles them to the respect and esteem of their fellow men throughout the Empire. 1 have thought it advisable to issue a Royal Commission to inquire as to the cause of the accident, and its report will be placed before you in due course.

The revival of gold-mining has been most noteworthy during the last year, resulting in an increased output of gold by a quarter of a million pounds sterling over the output of the previous year. The great mineral wealth of our colony is attracting the attention of capitalists in many parts of the world, and, with security of tenure and capital expended in the legitimate prospecting and development of our mines, there is every reason ro believe that the gold mining industry of New Zealand will increase in importance, besides affording relief to the labor ma rket by drawing off a considerable number of men to remunerative meployment. The goidfields in the Auckland provincial district receive at present most attention, whilst those on the WestCoast are being brought into prominence, but there is every reason to believe that the gold deposits of Otago will shortly command the attention which their prospects and possibilities demand. The dispute in respect to the cyanide patent has not yet been settled. The settlement of the people on the land has progressed most satisfactorily during the year, and the benefits accruing under the Land for Settlements Act have been so greatly appreciated that land is sought for by the people of the colony most eagerly, apd this is proved by the fact that for most of the sections thro wn open there have been a large number of applicants.

Ia respect to the method of making application and dealing with the same, unforeseen difficulties have occurred, and to prevent duplication and ensure a proper class of settlers, remedial provisions will require to be made.

The beneficial effect of the Government Advances to Settlers Act has been clearly demonstrated, and the decrease in the rates of interest previously charged has proved to be a great boon to those engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits. Every precaution has been taken to see that advances have not been made except upon good securities and in accordance with law. The extreme care taken in respect to the securities first offered doubtless limited the number of loans, but it is now generally conceded that the effect has been to compel care in making application, while the increasing aggregate of amounts advanced, together with the increasing number of applications received weekly, leads to the belief that on the whole the Advances to Settlers Department with its new machinery will henceforward work satisfactorily. The systematic grading and cool storage of our dairy produce have proved satisfactory. Uniformity has been achieved, and higher prices obtained, and with increased number of competent experts the Department of Agriculture hopes during the present year to further improve the results of dairy - farming, and there is a general belief that New Zealand butter and cheese will ere long command higher ■ prices in the markets of the world.

[The wire had not concluded when we went to press.]