OPENING

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume X, Issue 1926, 10 May 1888, Page 3

OPENING

WELLINGTON, May 10.

The second session of the tenth Parliament of New Zealand was this day opened by the Governor, when his Excellency was pleased to make the following speech : — Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the

House of Bepresentatives, —

It affords me much pleasure to again meet you in Parliament assembled.

BETTER TIMES.

Although I atn'not able to congratulate you upon any decided change in the condition of the great industries of New Zealand, or of tbe trade of the country, it is satisfactory to know that signs of improvement are not wapting. "While some classes of produce are, unfortunately, low in price, the increase which Ims taken place in the value of wool must beneficially affeot the people.

MINING REVIVAL.

There are also encouraging indications of a revival in the mining industry throughout the colony. Considerable sums of money have been lately invested in the acquisition and development ot mining properties which can only be rendered profitable by v large expenditure of capital. It is believed that through the introduction of machinery suited to the treatment of the refractory ores found on our gold fields, a largo tract of country now lying \iseless will be profitably worked. Through the use of new appliances, large portions of the sea beacbea of New Zealand will be rendered available for working, and thii9 an almost limitless source of wealth will bo opened up.

RETRENCHMENT.

During the recess my Advisers earnestly endeavored to give effect to the will of the country by reducing public expenditure. The task imposed upon them involved much anxious consideration. They have sought to make every reduction compatible with maintaining the efficiency of the Public Service.

CLASSIFICATION OF CIVIL SERVICE.

The question of tbe classification of tbo Civil Servioe of the colony is intimately connected with that of retrenchment. My Government believed that it was neceesary, in order to put tbe service permanently upon a proper footing, that the subject should be dealt with comprehen sively. Notwithstanding the difficulties which have grown up through the absence in the past of any uniform plan in its different branches, a bill has been prepared dealing with the civil service, which, it is believed, will meet with your approval. It is hoped that the classification which it is proposed to effect under it, while rendering economy more easy of attainment, will act beneficially upon tbe Service itself. My Ministers wish to place upon record their appreciation of the manner in which the civil servants, as a body, have aided in carrying out the changes neceesary to effect economy. They have readily furnished information and advice, and have displayed a willingness to fall in with an altered system, although it in many instances entailed reduced remuneration and increased duties. The task imposed upon the Government has thus been much facilitated.

WAR VESBELS BUILDING.

Yon will be grateful to learn that the building of the war vessels to be supplied under tbe provisions of " The Australasian Naval Defence Aot, 1887," is being carried on by the Imperial Government with all possible expedition. The time is therefore not far distant when we may expect to see Australasian waters a naval force, which, acting in concert with our land defences, will ensure the safety in times of war of tbis part of the Empire, and protect its trade.

DEFENCE.

The harbor defence works, which form a necessary part of any scheme for the protection of the colony against external danger, have been so far completed as to render it unnecessary to maintain the past heavy expenditure. My Ministers have been anxious to effect large reductions in the annual cost of tbe Defence Department. They believe that, notwithstanding such reductions, the colony is now fairly well prepared for any emergency which may arise. The thanks of the country are due to Major-General Schaw for tbe valuable assistance and advice whioh have been given by him. With tbe completion of these works, and the re- organisation of the forces of the colony, his experience, tbe benefit of which was freely given to my Government, has proved of great advantage.

LAND LAWS.

The anticipations of my advisers as to the beneficial effects of the Land Act of last session have, so far, been verified by events, and relief has been afforded to many hard-working holders through the operation of its Clauses. Considering the time which has elapsed since this Act came into force the number of desirable settlers who have been placed upon the 'waste lands by means of its operation is very satisfactory. Full information will be afforded you with regard to this and other matters connected with settlement of Crown lands.

EDUCATION.

My Ministers are glad to be able to state that the economies rendered necessary by tbe reduced vote for education have been carried out without impairing the system. They regard its maintenance in a vigorous condition as essential to tbe public wellbeing. Papers on this subject will be laid before yon.

I NATIVE AFFAIRS.

I have much pleasure in informing you that the attitude of the Maoris is marked by muob good feeling towards the Government. It must be a matter of congratulation to both races that Tawhiao should at last have seen that it was to the interest of himself and people, that the two races should be united under one Government. The action taken by them may be regarded as the final abandonment! on the part of the natives, of their wish to establish a separate authority for their own Government. NATIVE LANDS.

My Ministers believed that the time has arrived when tbe whole question of dealing with native lands should be treated upon a basis in accord with the advancing knowledge of tbe native race, Bills; will be submitted for your approval, whioh have been prepared with due regard to this consideration.

ESTIMATES.

Tbe estimates of the revenue and the expenditure for the current year will be brought before you at an early date, when I have no doubt they will receive your careful consideration. Hon. Gxmtlembn of the Legislative Council ' and Gentlemen of the House o# Bbpbesentattves. , cfimute question The Chinese question is becoming one of Mffona. difficulty-, and my advisers consider that until some common ground of agreement is arrived at between the Imperial Government and the Government of the Chinese Empire this colony m ust joini n with other Australian colonies in enacting

measures of a restrictive character. A. bill dealing with the subject will be laid before you.

RABBIT PEST.

The rabbit pept which has long been a, matter of the gravest importance to this colony, baa received careful attention ; nlthrmgli the means which have been in use have, I am happy to state, proved sufficient to keep it in check, they are not calculated to completely remove this pest. My advisers have therefore taken steps to have the question of a thorough remedy considered by competent gentlemen in the colony, and they have joined with the other colonies in causing" the subject to be investigated in Australia. In furtherance of this project, they deputed a New Zealand settler of experience and high scientific attainments to attend the experiments which were to be made by the representatives of ( M. Pasteur, and others. The results of' these experiments and the report of New Zealand representatives will be placed before you as soon as possible.

RAILWAY REFORM.

Time has not permitted the carrying out ot the reforms contemplated by the Government Railways Act, 1887. Applications have been invited from those desirous of filling the office of Chief Commissioner, but a (selection has not yet been made. Until this has been done, it is impossible to have the Act put into force.

CUSTOMS TARIFF.

In accordance with the undertaking given by my Ministers during last Ression of Parliament, alterations in the tariff will be submitted for your consideration. By a readjustment of duties, it is hoped to remove certain anomalies which periodically appear in tbe tariff. One of the objects of this re-adjustment will be to afford further financial aid in carrying on the departments of the Government, while due regard will/ also be paid to the effect which tbe alterations will have upon the trade and manufactures of the colony.

DEFERRED PAYMENT SETTLERS.

The question of creating a means of adjusting from time to time the rents payable by deferred payment settlers, and by tenants of the Crown and of Municipal and other public bodies has received careful attention. A Bill dealing with the subject will be laid before you.

MIDLAND RAILWAY.

The Midland Railway contract, after much deliberation, has^ been prepared upon the lines decided by Parliament, and now awaits confirmation by the company.

FISHERIES.

In England the attention of my Government has been directed to questions relating to the establishment and preservation of fisheries, upon which subject a consolidating and amending bill, dealing with many important points, has been prepared.

NEW BILLS.

Bills for the amendment and consolidation of the electoral laws ; for the maintenance ot discipline in the naval and military iorces : for remedying defects in the municipal rating and Land Transfer Acts, and for the repeal of the Crown and Native Lands Eating Act will be submitted to you.

CONCLUSION.

These and other important measures to be laid before Parliament I commend to your careful consideration. I earnestly hope, that with the blessing of Gcd you may be enabled to discharge your nrdous duties with advantage to the interests of the colony.