PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9318, 12 June 1891, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE OWN GIL.

THURSDAY, JUNE 11. Tho Hou the Speaker took tlio chair at 2.30 p.m

THIS governor's speech,

His Excellency und party having arrived, the inombera of the House of Representatives were summoned and attended the Chamber, ilia Kxoelloaoy then addressed them aa follows

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND GENTLEMEN OF THE House of Representatives, It gives mo much pleasure again to meet you in Parliament assembled. I have been much gratified during the autumn months of tbia year to meet In many places numerous gatherings of our fellow subjects of the Maori raoo. The reoeptioa in all oaaea accorded to me as Her Majesty’s representative was snoh as I can recall with unmixed satisfaction. In particular, I was glad to be able to traverse a portion of tho country of the Uriwera Tribe, hitherto so seldom visited by Europeans. There the welcome given to me by no means foil short in cordiality of that bestowed upon mo else, where, and left upon me the pleasant impression that this famous tribe has now at any rate oessad to bo dangerously dominated by the persistent desire for isolation attributed to it for many years past. I am able, upou the whole, to congratulate you upon the continued evidences of the soundness of the Colony’s financial position, and the substantial progress made by its chief industries. The provision made daring the session of 1890 for curying on the public services has proved more than sufficient. The elasticity of tho Colony’s resources has been again shown by a further increase in the already remarkable volume of oar exports. This ban now attained dimensions Bailment to convince the most apprehensive that tho resources of New Zealand are far more than sufficient for the fulfilment of all her obligations. At the same time my Ministers think that it would be a mistake to ignore the unfortunate exodus of popalatino from our shores to tho neighbouring Colonies, which still goes on without abatement. The returns of the census, now In course of completion, satisfactory and encouraging as they are in most respects, appear to show that a stream of emigration, constant, though not large, has continued to flaw from these islands to Australia. My Ministers consider that this strange phenomenon—for snob it must be considered in so young and riohly endowed a country as this—is well worthy both of systematic investigation, and of the application and persevering uses of rational remedies. The alienation of the waste .lands of the Crown has been going on during the last 12 months at a rapid rate. My Ministers, however, are of opinion that for some years past the amount of actual settlement elfeoled has not been quite commensurate with the somewhat largo area of land disposed of. While it is doubtless true that a number of genuine settlers have taken up lard, it seems also unfortunately to bo the oaso that in many instances selection instead of bringing about occupation and cultivation, has only meant acquisition for speculative purposes or additions to estates already sufficiently, if nut, indeed, injuriously large. Amendments in the land,laws designed rigidly to reserve the remainder of our Crown lands for gennine occupation and improvement, will therefore be laid before yon. My Advisers propose that the utility of this legislation shall be augmented by regulations designed and administered with a view of planting an increasing number of smalt bat thriving occupiers upon the soil. My Advisers are convinced that Improvedand vigorous methods methods of settling the waste lands of the Crown, however necessary and valuable, do not by any means comprise the whole scope of the work of settlement. Side by side with the oponing.up of Crown lands should go tho acquisition of portions of the vast tracts still held by tho Native tribes of tho North Island. Moreover, the time seems to be approaching wbon the immense task of repurchasing parts of the large private estates which now bar settlement in somi? of tho most fertile parts of the Colony must be entered upon, and undertaken with caution, justice, and discrimination. Daring the recess a Royal Commission, composed of gentlemen of long and special experience of tho customs and opinions of tho Native race, has carefully investigated the working of the complicated, costly, and cumbrous array of laws whiih has for so many years rather hindered than advoncod the course of dealing with and settlement upon Maori tribal lands. Tho full and interesting report prepared by the Commissioners will be laid before you, and you will ho invited to give your assent to laws careiully framed to further the undoubted desire of the great majority of Native owners to dispose of their superfluous lands on fair terms.

1 bare observed with regret that the past year has been marked by a distinct and discouraging decline in the yield of our goldfields. During tbs last throe months, however, the mining returns indicate a considerable improvement, it it very gratifying to find that the output from the several coalmines of the Colony is steadily increasing, and has attained an amount hitherto unknown in the Colony. With this increased output from ear own coalmines, there is a corresponding decrease in the quantity of coal imported. Proposals for promoting the development of the mining industries of the Colony by legislation and other means will bo submitted to yon. In accordance with the decision arrived at by the late Parliament, three delegates from this Colony attended the National Australasias Convention held at Sydney in the months of March and April last. The Hon Sir H. A. Atkinson, Sir George Grey, K.C.8., and Captain Russell were accredited for that purpose. The official record of the proceedings of the Convention will be laid before you. At the Postal Conference held at Sydney about the same time this Colony 5 was represented by the Postmaster General. I Honourable Gentlemen of tub Lkcusla. ♦ tive Council, — I deeply regret that within a period of a very few months your Council has been deprived by death of throe much-esteemed members. One of these—yi nr lata Speaker, Sir William Fitzherbert—had completed a public career of more than ordinary length and distinction. Gentlemen of tub House of Representatives, — The estimates of revenue and expenditure will be laid before you. The estimates of expenditure have been framed with a due regard to economy. In continuance of the work of retrenchment begun in ISSG and carried on by the last Parliament, my Ministors have not hesitated to reduce the cost of their -different departments wherever this could be fairly and prudently done. In this way substantial savings have been effected, the details of which you will, as a matter of course, have every opportunity to discuss.

My Ministers are of opinion that the time has come for effecting a bold reform of the chief part of the direct taxation as now levied, and Rills have been prepared for this purpose. In, these proposals, however, my Advisers have studiously borne in mind that Snsnoltl ohioges ihonld, a* a matter of ex<

pediency, be made gradually, so as to neither shako the public sense of security nor lo run the risk of any inconvenient loss of revenue. _ Honouraulk Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of THE UO'JHK of Representatives,—

A measure will be submitted to you providing for the reform of tho Legislative Council in a manner which, my Advisors bollcv.*, will bo found to be in accord with public expectation, it will be in your recollection that some timo since the Imperial Government invited this Colony to enter into an arrangement by which the rate of postage to Europe would be reduced to 2£d per letter. The late Parliament signified its wish that this arrangement should be made, and this has accordingly been done, with most satisfactory results. Following on this you will be asked to assent to a still more important postal change which it is thought should bo acceptable to all sections of tho community. Returns will bo laid before you containing information of tho results of all branches of traffic upon the railways. Ihese will present one or two features calling for your special attention. ‘ There are now ready for your consideration Bills for consolidating and amending tho law relating to electors and elections, and for completing tho abolition of plural voting ; for classifying and improving the Civil Service, amending tho law affecting goldraining ami tho working of our coalfields, altering and consolidating the law of bankruptcy, defining the law of libel, amending tho laws relating to companies and to juries, fixing the liability of promoters and directors of companies, and consolidating and codifying the criminal law ; as well as other Bills dealing with matters of public interest. These Bills will shortly bo placed before you. My advisers propose to prosecute with vigour tho construction of reproductive public works out of such moneys as are or may become available foi the purpose. In letting contracts for public works my advisers have endeavoured to discourage the practice known as •subcontracting,’ and they propose, as far as possible, to encourage the association of workmen on the co-operative principlo. . In the session of last year a number of Bills dealing with mutters referred to in the report of the ‘Sweating’ Commission, and with other matters of special interest to employers and employed, were introduced, but only one passed into law. My advisers propose to again introduce these Bills, with certain amendments,, and will ask you to give them your earlioit and most careful consideration. In addition to these, another Bill providing for the establishment of Boards of Conciliation and Courts of Arbitration to deal with industrial disputes has been prepared, and will bo laid before you. My advisers believe that a measure of this nature is earnestly desired by thoughtful observers of tho many and undimiaishing difficulties which beset tho relations of labour to capital, I commend those matters to your attention ; I assure you of my heartfelt wish to aid your efforts to farther tho interests of the country ; and I pray that your labours may, with tho blessing of God, promote the happiness and welfare of the people of New Zealand.

The Council resumed at 3 p.m. The Hon the Colonial Secretary brought down a message from Hie Excellency the Governor notifying that leave of absence had boon granted to the Hon Richard Oliver and the Hon Ropata Wahawaha. A message was lead from His Excellency the Governor notifying that the seats hitherto held in the Council by the Hons U. VV. Fitzherbert, W. Reovos, and W. S. Peter had boon vacated by death. The message also notified that owing to being absent without leave, the Hon T. W. Wiglsy had forfeited hie seat In the Council. A budget of papers was laid on tho table of the chamber by the Colonial Secretary, amongst them being the correspondence in tho case of tho Attorney-General v. Judge Edwards.

The Hon the Colonial Secretary gave notices of motion as follows For tho appointment of a oommitee in connection with the management and extenaion of tho Par. liamcntary Library ; for the appointment of a committee to provide for the comfort and convenience of members of both Houses ; for the appointment of a Joint Committee on Bills, in accordance with Standing Order No. 202. The Hon tire Colonial Secretary also gave notice of motion for leave to introduce a Bill ootitlod, A Bill to Amend the Legislative Council Act, 1891. Tiro Hon Sir G. Whitmore gave notice of motion that ho would ask at the next sitting of tho Council, whether the Government propose that tho Colony be represented at the inhibition to bo held at Chicago, U.S.A.

Tho Hon the Colonial Secretary gave notice that he would move, tit the next sitting of tho Chamber, that tho Hon Coptain Eaillio bo appointed Chairman of Committees, in compliance With Standing Order No. 521. The Council then adjourned till 2.30 p.m. next day. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. THURSDAY, JUNE 11. Tho House met at 2.30, the Speaker in the chair. Mr Felix Maguire, member for Egmont, took tho oath and his seat, address-in-kbply. Mr Machjike gave notice that ha would next day move tho Addcesa in-Reply to the Governor’s speech. THE TE AROIIA ELECTION, The Judges’ report on this election having been read, The Premier gave notice that he would next day move that the report bo entered in tho journals of tho House. The Speaker said there was no necessity for snch a course, as the Corrupt Practices Act provided for that being done. The Premier : I formally move that the report be duly entered on the journals of the House. The Hon Mr Bryce said ho thought a great injustice had been inflicted on Mr Allen, who was away at the time of the eleation, and ho thought the inhabitants of that district would feel very pleased it the qneslion could be hold over until they bad had au opportunity to send in a petition praying that the decision of tho Judges might be reversed. The Premier said lie thought they would bo making a groat mistake if they tampered with tho decision of tho Judges, The Speaker remarked that tho decision of the Judges was to be considered by the House, Mr Fisher put it to the Premier that he would be doing Mr Allen an injustice if he allowed a stigma to be put on record against him which he did not desorvo. Mr Taylor said because Mr Allen was a man of wealth they found Mr Fisher gettiog rip aud resenting euoh a course being token. If it had been a poor man Mr Fiohor would have allowedv'tho law to take its course, and that was'what they ought to do in this Mr Rees said it had been laid down that there ehould be no polities! interference with these petitions, and if the House was now to step in and say that Mr Allen was not to bear the penalty of hie agent’s acts, it would be a very .tad precedent indeed. If the House did not interfere with the question after the decision of the Judges, it would be very much bettor, Tho Premier pointed out that the question of any stigma attaching to Mr Allen could not be affected by any petition whatever, aa the judges themselves, by their report, had done all they oould to reinstate Mr Allen’s character. (Hear, hear.) It was Important that a writ should bo issued immediately f or tho inhabitants of To Aroha would be practically disfranchised during the greater part of tho session. The motion was then put and carried on tho voices. Tho Premier then moved that a writ be issued for the election o! a member for tho Te Aroha district, which was carried. new RILL. The Expiring Laws Continuance Bill was introduced by the Premier# TUB ArJOURNMBNT. The Premier moved vho adjournment until the next day. Tho Hon Mr Bryce asked what they were going to do as to the immediate course of business, and suggested that it would bo advisable to allow tho two leading speeches to be made the next day, and then adjourn the debate until Tuesday, The Premier replied that it was thsir de« sire to push on tho business, and if they found any desire on the part of the Opposition to debate the Address, they would afford them every facility for doing so. Tho House then adjourned at 4 o’clock till 2.30 the following day.