PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 250, 21 October 1868, Page 2

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.

The following speech (received by telegram from Wellington), published as an Extra by the Examiner, was delivered by his Excellency the Governor, at the prorogation of Parliament, which took place yesterday, at 2 o'clock p.m. Honorable Legislative Councillors, and Gentlemen of the House erf Representatives — I am happy to be able to release you from your labors, and to thank you for the patient attention •which you have given to the business of the country during the long and laborious session now about to close. Much of your time has been occupied by discussions originating in your anxiety for the peace of the country, and I hope that these discussions may not have altogether failed of good results by enlightening the country on the important question of the relations between the European and Maori races. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives — I thank you for the supplies which you have granted for the public service of the present year, and for the provision you have made to meet the special circumstances arising out of the unhappy disturbances in a portion of the Northern Island. I assure you that due diligence and economy will be observed in administering these supplies. The financial reform to which your attention has been invited has not yet been perfected. But the advantages of the proposal have been so generally recognised as a necessary preliminary to the reduction of taxation, that its adoption is only deferred for a short time. Honorable Gentlemen, and Gentlemen — The development of the important goldfields in the Province of Auckland will promote the prosperity of the country by opening out new fields for industry. I hare assented "with pleasure to many valuable measures which you have passed for improving and consolidating thelaw on social subjects, thereby conducing to the material progress of the country. The numerous petitions from inhabitants of outlying districts of the colony which have been addressed to the General Assembly during the present session, praying in one form or another for increased power in matters of local concern, indicate the existence of a wide-spread feeling of dissatisfaction with the working of local institutions, and leave no doubt of the necessity for an improved system of local government as the most effective means of removing discontent and disunion amongst important sections of the , population, and of preserving the unity of New Zealand. /£) I have transmitted to the Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies the resolutions passed by both Houses, praying that the departure of the last Imperial Regiment from the colony may be delayed, and I have removed the two companies lately quartered in this city to the town of Wanganui, where their presence will give confidence to tbe Friendly Natives, and disabuse those hostile to her Majesty's authority of the idea that the countenance and support of the Queen would be withdrawn from the colonists. I have every confidence that the efforts and courage of the Colonial Forces, including many Friendly Natives, will shorten the period of trouble'in the disturbed districts, will allay any misapprehension which may arise amongst the peaceful population, and repel all aggressions of fanatical tribes ; and I pray that by God's blessing, peace, order and the authority of the lawmay be secured to the people of New Zealand.