The Lyttelton Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1892.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 9760, 24 June 1892, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1892.

The Speech with which Lord Glasgow opened Parliament yesterday, will probably rank as one of the most I comprehensive of its kind that has ever been delivered in the Colony. The subject-matter embraces almost every phase of contemporary politics, as well as a programme of work which indicates that Ministers are prepared to give Parliament plenty to do. If Ministers intended the Speech from the Throne to afford the Opposition a field for the full discussion of their administration and policy they have succeeded admirably. The graceful allusions to the hearty welcome the Governor has received at Wellington, and to the death of the Duke of Clarence, appropriately pave the way for the business-like declarations by which they are followed. The predominant tone of the speech is one of confidence in the position and prospects of the Colony. This is conspicuous in almost every paragraph, and to whatever causes the present condition of things may be due, it is useless for the most bigoted Conservatives to deny that New Zealand is just now enjoying an era of almost unexampled prosperity. There is a large surplus in the exchequer ; the industries of the Colony are in a healthy condition ; the exports continue to increase rapidly; the imports show a marked improvement ; the exodus has been stayed; the congestion of the labour market has been removed, and employers and employees have been brought into communication, with a result which the Speech happily describes as the “ circulation of labour.” The Crown lands are being rapidly settled; Special Settlement Associations are springing up on all sides; the Natives are selling their lands to the Crown ; the “ King movement ” has received its death blow through Tawhiao’a acceptance of a pension, and the mining industry shows hopeful signs of renewed prosperity. Such is in briefest outline the summary which Ministers have placed in his Excellency’s mouth. That it is a record of facts, clear as noonday, who will venture to deny ? The connection of the Government policy and administration with the prosperous condition of the Colony may be a subject of debate; hut the prosperity itself cannot be a matter of doubt. It speaks for itself, and Ministers have done a public service in placing before the world in the most emphatic form the fact that the policy of the Liberal Party has as its very base confidence in the resources, the self-reliauce, and the immediate prospects of the Colony. Those politicians who have, daring the recess, been indulging in the prophecy that the proposed changes in the incidence of taxation would not take place, will have their self-confi-dence considerably shaken on learning that the data secured by the recent assessments prove that the substitution of the Land and Income taxes for the Property tax will leave the revenue undisturbed. We nave never had any anxiety on that point. The proposals of the Treasurer displayed too much caution to warrant any fear that the finances of the Colony would be disturbed by the changes in the taxation. Still there have been some even amongst the supporters of the Ministry who mistrusted the large exemptions provided under the Act of last session. The assurance given in the Speech will destroy the last hope of the Conservatives that the finances of the country would be thrown into confusion by the abandonment of the Property tax. The references to the vacancies made by death and resignation and temporary absence in the ranks of the Legislative Council point very clearly to a strong opinion on the part of Ministers that the nominated branch of the Legislature should be strengthened. Turning to the programme of work for the session, it is evident that Ministers are much better prepared than their opponents believed. First on the list the Government places the great question of the management of the railways. No indication has, so far, been given as to what alterations are contemplated. There can, however, be little doubt that the Act by which the management is vested in Commissioners will be freely discussed. Should the House declare in favour of maintaining the present system, it is quite possible that some limitations will he placed on the powers of the Commissioners. A thorough discussion of the whole management of the lines can scarcely fail to produce beneficial results, and we have every confidence that the House will emphatically endorse the views frequently expressed in these columns, that the primary object of the railway policy should be to advance settlement and strengthen the industries of the Colony. n The Bills embodying the leading features of the Liberal policy, which were rejected or withdrawn last session, are all to be re-introduced, and we trust that many of them will find their way on to the Statute Book. Amongst these may bo mentioned the three Bills relating to laud—-the Land Bill, the Land for Settlements Bill, and the Crown Tenants Belief Bill—and the Electoral Bill. These contain the cardinal features of the policy the Government is pledged to carry out. A large number of other measures, all of importance to the Colony, are promised. The large labour interests are not overlooked in the speech ; indeed, the prominent position the Government has always given to them is fully maintained. The references to the excellent work accomplished by the Bureau of Industries, and by the development of the co-operative system, show the warm sympathy the Government has towards the wageearning classes. The allusion to the abolition of sub •contracting in connection with public works and the prominence given to the Bill for the establishment of Boards of Conciliation and Courts of Arbitration, prove that the G-Jvermnent has in no way lessened its efforts on behalf of the labour interest. Altogether we can warmly congratulate the people of the Colony upon the tone ot the Bari of Glasgow’s first Speech from the Throne. It shows that his Excel-

lency’s advisers are determined to press on the good work they have commenced; it shows, too, that they are fully prepared for the opposition they are sure to encounter. The people have at last made their voice heard in the Legislature of the country, and they are, we hope, about to enjoy the fruits of their labour. What they have won by energy and persistence they will hold with moderation and justice.