OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1752, 12 October 1887, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

(By Telegraph). «- • — WELLINGTON, October 10.

The first session of tbe tenth Parliament of New Zealand was this day opened by tbe Governor at 2 o'clock. The weather was fine, but threatening. Tbere was ft large attendance of both Houses and also of the general publio. His Excellency was pleased to make tbe following speech :— Honorable Gentlemen of th« Legislative Council, and Gentlemen or the House of Representatives,—

I have great pleasure in meeting yon in Parliament assembled. It affords me much gratification to be able to prononne* that the ceremonies on tbe occasion of the fiftieth year of Her Most Gracious Majesty's reign were celebrated with ft splendor unsurpassed in the annals of our country, and evoked the most cordial feelings of loyalty, enthusiasm, and public reverence and respect in all parts of her Majesty 'b dominions. The Imperial Conference held in London to discuss the subjects relating to the prosperity, advancement, and protection of all interests affecting her Majesty's colonial possessing* concluded its sittings on tbe 9th of May lust. The result of its deliberations are regarded by the Imperial authorities and by the colonial representations, as being of ft satisfactory nature. The most important of the agreements ia the determination to provide for the more efficient defence of Her Majesty's most distant possessions against external attack. Papers relating to subject will be laid before you. In its result the general election just concluded points to a firm resolve on the part of the people of New Zealand to ensure effective, and substantial retrenchment in the cost of the public service. My Ministers feel that it is their first duty, and it is their intention to propose to Parliament, large reductions in the public expenditure of the colony. Tliese reductions will be made in the manner least calculated to produce inconvenience and hardship. To the subject of land administration my Ministers attach great importance. I am assured that they will make increasing efforts to secure the location of a pros*' perous class of settlers upon the lands of the colony. It has been well said tbftt New Zealand stands unrivalled among British possessions as a field for settlement, nnd tbe aim of all, of whatever political creed, should be to promote the establish* ment of a numerous and prosperous agricultural community whose industry cannot fail to add to tbe material progress of the colony. As a first step, and as soon aB practicable, proposals will be submitted to you to render the land system less complicated and to make tbe lands of the colony more easy of acquirement in ■mall holdings, and upon such tenure as selectors may prefer. My Ministers alto recognise tbe difficulties under which small holders of land irom tbe Crown are ctruggling, and they will consider what can be done to afford them reasonable relief.

In regard to our railways, it is the opinion of many competent to judge that tbe system under which the railways are worked is unsatisfactory, and it is believed that judicious change! can be made whereby public convenience may be more consulted, and a better revenue obtained.

My Ministers recognise that alteration! in the tariff are required to remove the anomalies which bave been brought into existeuce by the altered condition of things. They were anxious to have laid before you proposals tor a readjustment of duties, but until you gave your opinion upon their measures for effecting re* trenchtnent in the publio service, they feel that alterations of a thorough and satisfactory nature cannot be made. They will, however, during the coming recess, give the matter careful consideration, and will bring before- you measures dealing with this important subject. As tbe ream will necessarily be a short one, the time lost will, in the opinion of my Ministers, be more than compensated for by the subject being dealt with deliberately and thoroughly.

My Ministers bave under consideration tbe necessity of amending the laws relating to native lands ; and it will probably be necessary during the present session to pass 6ome measure of a temporary character to allay the feeling of dissatisfae* tion which at present exists. Aft6r ascertaining during the recess the views and wishes of the native people, and after weighing tbe subject carefully in all its branches, comprehensive measures will be submitted for your consideration. Honorable Gentlemen of the Housb OF Representatives, —

The estimates of revenue and expendi* ture will show in detail tbe reductions to which I have already referred. I neglect to say that at tbe present time our principle source of revenue, the Customs shows no signs of improvement, but my advisers trust that by limiting the public expenditure it will be possible to avoid placiug further burdens upon tbe peoplej Honorable Gentlemen of the Leqisla* lative Council and Gentlemen or the House of Representatives, —

This is the second session of tbe year. Being necessarily held at an inconvenient period, and under extraordinary circumstances, ie is proposed to submit for your consideration only such measures as may be urgently required.

Negotiations relative to the construction of the Midland Railway are still pending, and you will required to express your opinion on certain important points which yet remain to be settled.

Consistently with their duty to tbe colony, my Ministers will use every effort to enable Parliament to Arrive at a iair and reasonable solution of existing difficulties.

Iv connection with this important work my Government view with satisfaction the strong feeling manifested by the people ol the colony generally in favor of oar education system, and desire to convey an assurance that while its expense will be curtailed wherever practicable, no steps will be taken by them which would have the effect of impairing its efficiency.

CONCLUSION.

I commend to your attention the im* port ant quesuous that will be brought before you ; and I hope that under tbe blessiug of God your labors may prove of great service to the colony.

The canvass for subscriptions towards tbe bonus io aid of meat tinning works is being actively carried on, bulb, round Hawera and on tbe Plains. The general opinion is that some such local ontlet is much required, but money is •* very tight."

NO MOU7I TTARO '"[IVIES.

If you nil! st«i,i spi-ulu^ so much on fine clothe*, rldi food ar.ci fetjlv. buy • ood, healthy Icod, cheaper am! letter clothing; jet more real and substantial things of life every way, nnd especially atop the foolish ■>" habit of employing expensive quack doctors ov using so muce of the vile humbug medicine that does you only hsirm, but put your , trust in that simple, pure remedy, Dr. -. Joule's American Hop Bitters; that cures* alw.iys at a. trifling cost, and yw * - irood times and have good health.— Chron* icle.— 2. * V

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