OPENDING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1054, 4 June 1869, Page 2

OPENDING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

fJBOM OTO O\m COBBHS3»OIW)BirX.I I Wellington, Tuesday, June 1. Ths Assembly was opened- by commi&ten this day in the following speech;— Tlie fulfilment of the pronti«fe given last Session, no les§ than the disturbed state of the country, have required that recourse should be ha.d to your advice and assistance earlier in the year than usual. That assistance you will, no doubt, freely "give; for you will recognise that the colouy can no longer endure tne evils under which, it has, with, but temporary intermission, long Suffered, from the determined hostility of tbe turbulent portions of the native race. Since the close of last session, that hostility has displayed itself in an aggravated form. Murder and other atrocities, entirely unprovoked, have been committed in cold blood on unarmed persons. Another missionary, whose life had been devoted to their service, has fallen a victim, and neither age*, sex, nor race has been spared. Every means afc the disposal of the colony has been employed in the prosecution of a war forced upon us, and which has had to be encountered on both sides of the North Island at the same time. Large numbers of men have been raised and trained, and have been engaged in active operations in the field, and defensive works have been ereoted for the protection of places exposed to the attacks of the enemy. It will be your duty to consider how efforts hitherto made may be sustained and strengthened. The thanks pf the colony are due to Colonel Whitmore, the officers and men of the coloniat forces — European and native— for the conspicuous courage with which they have encountered the enemy wherever he has presented himself, and for the indomitable energy and zeal with which they have tracked and dispersed his retreating forces — arduous and harassing duties, in course of which they have penetrated forests and inhospitable wilds, hitherto unyisited by a European force, and inaccessible to ordinary means of transport. The difficulties they have surmounted have had no parallel ia the military history of the country. No troops could have displayed a more gallant spirit — no officers could have conducted the campaign with more enterprise, skill, and prudence. The great difficulty of the country must be grappled with, and a permanent remedy applied to a state £of things which is paralizing industry, and in every way retarding progress and the settlement of the country. Any policy which fails of such results will but abandon the country to disaster and ruin, which, spreading far beyond the scene of conflict, will be felt by all sections of the community throughout New Zealand. . Such a polioy demands a highly organised force, embodied for a definite period, established in the best strategical positions, and occupied in perfecting communication. Correspondence between the Governor and the Secretary of State for the colonies, with reference to the retention of Imperial troops in New Zealand, and especially to the resolution on the subject passed by both Houses of the Assembly during last session of parliament, will be laid before you. The question cannot be further pressed by the Legislature with any dignity or self respect, or beneficial results to the people of New Zealand. , A Bill of a temporary character will be submitted to you, providing for summary means of dealing with, persona found in arms against the Queen, or who may have been concej^dJn~expepiianaUw.^»~<.wa -xnrcns^arTorMe rebels. The conquest of permanent peace will require exceptional expenditure beyond what it is advisable to levy in the shape of annual revenue, and portions of it should be provided by loan. An application for a guarantee to such loan has been made to the British Government. You will probably believe that the condition of the country requires a renewal of the application, and justifies the hope that the last prayer of the colony to the Mother Country will not be rejected. Estimates for the ensuing year will be placed before you. While providing for the efficiency of the public service, they exhibit, with the exception of the requirements of the colony for purposes of defence, a reduction in the expenditure of the country. The result of operations under the Consolidated Loan Act will be laid before you. You will gladly recognise that, owing to the able manner in which operations have been conducted, a considerable diminution of the annual charges on the revenue has been effected. The electric telegraph is in course of extension to Wanganui, on one side, and towards Taupo and Auckland on the other. The cessation of active warfare will be immediately followed by the completion of the latter line to the capital and goldfields of the north. Those singularly rich fields continue to increase in importance, andreliable authorities prognosticate extensivd discoveries of like deposits throughout many parts of the Northern Island, which will give profitable employment to large , populations. The bearing of this on, the early pacification and security of the country is important. The approaching termination of the present parliament calls for legislation to re-adjust the representation of the people, in conformity with the altered condition of several districts. ' You will be invited to consider a measure for making uhdevised real estate distributable amongst the next of kin in the same manner as personal property. Although native questions will largely engage your attention, other matters of public interest and importance will doubtless not be neglected. In the especial circumstances under which you are assembled, may the Spirit of Wisdom so guide your councils as to promote the welfare of the people of New Zealand. . Thursday, June 3. At the meeting, yesterday, of the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company, it was agreed to offer the Circular Saw Company the ships and fixed property for £2 10s. per share. Other assets would make up the total receipts to shareholders to £3 10s. per share. The offer is waiting the arrival of MrJ Henderson, now daily expected. It will probably be accepted. ' Mr. Edwards moved the reply on Wednesday, guarding himself, in so doing, against being pledged to support the Government. Mr. Swan seconded the motion ; a few other members spoke ; and the reply was passed. The whole only occupied about half an hour. To day several routine committees were appointed, and one for considering the tenders received for the various mail routes to

| Australia, and reporting as to the best route for adoption. I There is nothing, on the paper for tomorrow. Some twenty southern members being still absent, no impjjrjtant movement can be decided upon^jiaSejjy the oppositions. The absented are .expected to arrive in a few daytfij'jg , ; ■ ' - A co*dperative ( |)»j,|ißibn society was established last Digjhfcl %