OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 14, 29 May 1880, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

[Specially Telegraphed to Star.] (from our own correspondent.)

Wellington, Friday night.

The Governor's speech is rather flat. He trusts that the distress which existed among the working classes will be only of a temporary character ; declares that the determination which has been shown to redress grievances, where they may be proved to exist, and at the same time to assert the supremacy of the Crown, cannot but favorably affect our relations with the Maori race ; regrets "to have to announce that a falling off has taken place in all the principal items of revenue." Then comes the following very remarkable sentence : — " Under these circumstances, my advisers entertain no doubt as to the course to be pursued. Expenditure must be decreased ; luxuries must be curtailed ; and the public works, which have already been constructed, must be made more reproductive." This is probably the strongest 1-mguage ever used in such an address. It is more than emphatic. It is also arbitrary, and certainly displays the confidence of the Government in its own strength. It is somewhat strange that one of the first notices of motion, which followed on this expressed determination to curtail luxuries, Bhould have been moved by Dr. "Wallis, to the effect that he proposed to ask why if had been held necessary" or desirable v to sendthe' Government steamer Hinemoa to

Auckland twice within a few days. This luxury, apparently, was not yet to be " curtailed."

[PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Friday night. Parliament was opened to-day by the Governor, but very few members from either House were present. In the Lower House, Sir W. Fox was sworn in. Notice of moving the Address in Eeply was given on behalf of Colonel Trimble, who had not arrived. A despatch was read from the Imperial Government, containing the Queen's ac* knowledgment of the address of condolence passed by both Houses on the.death of the Princess Alice. Ministers laid a number of papers on the table, and gave notice of introducing Bills for the Regulation of Elections, Corrupt Practices Prevention, and Election Petitions. - The Telegraph Act Amendment Bill was read a first time. Both Houses adjourned till Tuesday.