PARLIAMENTARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XI, Issue 3995, 1 September 1874, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

[By Electric Telegraph.] THE PROROGATION SPEECH. [per akolo-austkaltan telegram company.] WELLINGTON, Monday. The House met at three o'clock, when the following prorogation speech was delivered by His Excellency Sir James Fergusson :— Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen op the House of Representatives,—

I have to thank you for the attention which you have paid to the discharge of your onerous duties during the short but very arduous session which I am now about to terminate. This is the last occasion upon which I shall have the honor of addressing you from this place. I desire t to assure you that in resigning the high office which I have held but for a short term, I am deeply sensible of the constant courtesy and consideration which have been shewn mc by all 'with whom I have been brought into contact, whether in my official or private relations. In returning to a private station at home, I shall retain a deep interest in the welfare of this most promising community, and I shall deem it not less a privilege than a duty to serve its interests in so far as my humble means and opportunities may enable me. I anticipate a great benefit to the colony from the State Forests Act which you passed, providing, as it does, for the setting apart of forests, which will not only be of use in maintaining the future industries of the colony, but which may be expected to have a beneficial effect on the climate and upon the productiveness of its lands, providing, as the Act does, machinery for the establislmient of State forests. 1 am not disposed to regret the short delay in determining the actual positions of tlia forests. You have unmistakably committed the colony to the establishment of State forests, and it wi l : be your duty to see that adequate lands are provided for them from which sufficient revenue will be obtainable to do justice to your intentions. You have passed many measures this session which will materially aid in carrying on the public service of the colony, and in remedying defects which experience has proved to exist. I regret that the length of the session did not (■■■uable you to deal with the question of promoting commercial intercourse with Polynesia. It is one whicli 1 hope will have your careful consideration, and it '.'.'ill be the diity or my advisers to bear in mind the large interest which New Zealand lias in the subject, with the ric-w of bringing it before you on :i future occasion. The attention of my advisers will be earnestly given to further continuing public works, promoting immigration the re-establishment of the Californian mail packet service in conjunction with New South t, . 01, 8, And ia giving effect Co the provisions yen have made for the public service, and it will be the care of my advisers to administer them with the utmost economy consistent with their efficiency. Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— This session will be memorable for the decisive step which has been taken iu the direction of abolishing the form of Provincial Government in the North Island. The opinion of the House of Representatives have been, expressed by a large majority which voted for the resolutions, whilst debates in the Legislative Council have left no room to doubt that that Chamber was al so favourable to the proposed policy. For years past there has grown up a belief that the Provincial system in this island does not really afford that amount of local government the people desire. The decision arrived at is memorable also for the desire which the Legislature manifests that the land fund of the colony should be applied to suitable purposes, and as far as possible be localised. That decision must effectually do away with apprehensions in any part of the colony that the change in the Provincial system would mean the absorption of the land fund, in opposition to opinions upon the subject, which have been, confirmed during a long course of years. I hope the Provincial Governments of the North Island, loyally recognising the decision of the House of Representatives, will, during the recess, exert themselves to the utmost to so manage the affairs of their provinces as to enable the projected change to be effected next year with the least possible ;, iconvenience.* I shall be glad to be able to continue to remind you of the inereas ; ng prosperity of the colony, .and I hope the success which has attended your past efforts will, under the blessing of Divine Providence, continue to be made manifest in the future, and that you will live to see, as the result, New Zealand becoming the home of a large, prosperous, and contented population.