OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1071, 25 September 1879, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

(i'KU Pi:ESS ASSOCIATION). Vi'Ki.T.i.vin'r.N. September 24. Alter flic members had been sv.vini in, Tilt- Premier moved the election 01 ' -Mr. < I'Rorko as .Speaker. He said a fc.v ; v. :.•<:!« :ig-> jit the commencement of List « session a similar duty had devolved up:,si 1 <':! that occasion lie spoke at some 1 Iciri!!! of the ■..•xieitsivc experience of tlie ' candidate. -Mr. O'Rorke possessed Parlia- ] !-!'.:nrary practice. as also the strict sense ] ~f impartiality he had sill along displayed i•• tlie conduct of such business as the 1 ! f"U.-:e had entrusted to ltiin in connection ] v. itli ti.o r'!i:.ir;iianship of Committees. £ Tiii- eoixhi.-t displayed l>y Mr. O'Rorbe as 1 , f ihe s'.'s.-.i'iti of Parliament. 1 iiad iuiiv jit.ii niciii th«??« comments, and 3 ; ;iji ci.;:!;duucc in bringing .r».v.:'d ".'ill., ui.iiion. The ]i."i. Mr. Hall seconded the v motion. Ho lie said, during a r lengthened i.aniamentary career enjoyed I fav<liable opportunities for estimating jVXr. t ()']{•■ >rke's character and disposition as a a member <>f the House. On some occasions t he had been privileged to find that he t was working on the same side as Mr. t; O'Rorke, and on other occasions they were I

in opposition. Whatever the circumstances or condition of affairs in that respect might happen to be he had always found him strictly honorable in his actions, and thoroughly impartial in liis conduct. Xo other member having been proposed, the motion was carried without dissent. In acknowledging the election, Mr. OT'orke referred to the lengthy period during which he had acted ;us Chairman of Commiuees, and while admitting thai a very warm cr;npii'.iient had iu-eii paid him both by the mov - r and seconder oi his election, ho expressed his conviction that in not a single instance was lie aware of his rulings having been called into question. He said that it would be his best endeavor to conduct the business of the House in such a maimer as would merit a cuniintiiince of their confidence. Mr. Iteader Wood moved the adjournment of the House, and in doing so congratulated Ml*. O'Rorl'e on the occasion of his election as their chairman. The motion was seconded by Major Atkinson, who likewise congratulated the newly elected Speaker. At 3.50 p.m. the House adjourned till 2 p.m. to-morrow. V.*!-:r.i.!XcTox, September 25. On Parliament assembling to-day His Excellency the Governor delivered the following VICE-REGAL SPEECH. Honorable Legislative Councillors, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives— In opening this the seventh Parliament of New Zealand, I am sure you will unite with me in an earnest hope that the new Parliament may be distinguished for tho enactment of such measures as shall be most conducive towards promoting the happiness and welfare of tho people. Wc have readied what- is perhaps as yet the most- important epoch in tho history of tho Colony, and the future will very much depend upon the imj>ress which may be stamped upon it by the action of this Parliament. It is matter for congratulation that notwithstanding the severe monetary pressure and commercial gloom which have for some time past prevailed through the world, the position of this Colony is thoroughly sound. In accordance with constitution;;! usage, I recently allowed an appeal to the Colony, and the electors have availed themselves of this opportunity to make manifest their wishes with regard to the measures of great importance which it was proposed should be enacted as part of the permanent constitutional law of the Colony. The elections having been completed, I have, at the earliest possible period, called you together to avail myself of your advice and assistance in considering the measures and in carrying on the necessary legislation of the countrv. My responsible ad visers, following up the law of policy which was indicated during tho last Parliament, have prepared measures giving ell'ect to the views which were then made known to the country. Amongst these there will be submitted to you a Bill to amend the law relating to electors qualified to vote at the election of members of the House of Representatives. On this measure the broad principle is adopted that every man who pays taxes, and is otherwise affected by legislation, has a right to representation: A Bill which will also claim your consideration is one which proposes to reduce the longest period for which the House of Representatives can sit from five to three years. This enactment will render each member more directly accountable to his constituents than he at p'.r.;eiit iss, and will secure to the electors tho Power cf rch:v:.i;;; members so

frequently to the .iiou.v.' of Representatives that public opinion, which often in young countries tithes a new direction from the rapidly varying circumstances '..:h communities, and will bo fairly reproiinted in every phase which that opinion may assume. But these provisions will be of comparatively little value, ridr-ss the constituencies are so arranged that, in as far as practicable, population in each electoral district respectively shall he duly represented. This right was .assured to the people of New Zealand by the British Parliament in the act which originally gave them a representative constitution. The measure on this subject which is to be submitted to you will substantially secure a return and an adherence tor the future to that important principle of the Constitution Art. These three measures are, in the opinion of my advisers, so equitable in themselves, and so accordant, with the spirit of modern times, that, should they become law, there is, the Government believes, every prospect that a feeling of genera! contentment would be permanently established iu tho Colony. Tho

nower of legislation would thou largely rest in tlie hands of the people of Isew Zealand, and it is to be hoped that they . will always maintain within its limits an I'Hiiitiiblo system of taxation, a just ad- ; ministration of public lands, and a sound ' system of local self-government. The , alterations which will be produced in the C in.siiiurion -Act by the proposed measures will be but slight, whilst tlie-y are evidently in accordance with the popular wish. A Biil will bo submitted for your consideration to suspend a plurality of voting in case of elections of local governing bodies, whilst those bodies are subsidised out of the general revenue of the Colony. Measures will also be submitted to you which will enable those desiring to occupy small farms or rural allotments to obtain possession of lands much more readily, and at a smaller cost, than they can be obtained under the present system. Gentlemen of ihe House of Representatives — The Estimates will be laid before you, accompanied by financial measures calculated, in the opinion of my Government, to promote the interests of the Colony and to maintain its credit. A very general desire appears to exist that consideration should be given to the best means of promoting and encouraging manufactures and local industries in this Colony. With a view to give effect to this desire, you may probably think it advisable to appoint a select committee to enquire into and report upon the subject. The public works in progress continue to be vigorously prosecuted, and you will be asked to make provision for the further prosecution of those works which have already been authorised by Parliament. In pursuance of the intention of the Legislature in the session of 1870, considerable pains have been taken by the Public Works Department to ascertain the best route for connection by rail of the East and West Coasts of the northern portion of the Middle Island, and also the best route from Amberley to Cook's Strait. As these are works of great magnitude and importance; and must involve a very large expenditure of public money, it is deemed prudent, in order to take advantage of every possible | means of ascertaining the best routes, that the relative merits of the various lines should be carefully considered. With that view, you will be asked to submit the whole question to full and exhaustive examination and inquny by a Select Committee. Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen oi the rL.-use or Representatives. A measure will be laid before j"ou by which lands, the property of the natives, • not purchased by the Government for tile ' public, will henceforth be sold in small blocks in the open market on such terms i as may be agreed upon with the proprie- i tors. My advisers are of opinion that by i the adoption of this system great advantages will be secured to the whole ■ European population of New Zealand, i

whilst the natives will have the satisfaction of receiving the full value of their estates, autl will no longer be subjected to those importunities and temptations to induce them to part with their lands which have hitherto proved a fertile source of misunderstanding and of evil to the two races. Tile assurance which I was enabled to give to the members of Parliament at the opening of the last session, in regard to the peaceful and loyal action of the native people generally, has been borne out. by the results. No further development has taken place of riie fanatical movement;; on i;..: West Coast, and the tribes concerned appear to be qu:-;-:y a,v;:'.he action or Parliament and of the ordinary courts of law. Steps are being taken for the holding of a full enquiry into the existence and extent of the alleged unfulfilled promises in regard to lands. Two inter-tribaJ disturbances, arising out of disputed claims to land, have occurred, in one instance attended with loss of life. The necessary measures are being taken to vindicaie the law. A Pill will be submitted for your consideration to regulate the immigration of Chinese into the Colony. A valuable report of the Royal Commission appointed to enquire into the subject of higher education has been received, and laid before both Houses. When the final report has been made, no delay shall take place in laying it before you, and in communicating to you the measures which the Government may recommend for adopting on the whole subject, which is one of paramount importances educational iuioros.s in the Colony. Various other measures will bo laid before you during the session. Lpon each of these I am confident you will bestow your careful aitcn'ion. being yourselves anxious in all respects to promote the interests of this Colony, the destinies of which providence has in so large a measure entrusted to your char.e. In all your efforts to attain this end you may rely on receiving my ready and earnest co-operation. I sincerely trust that a spirit of wisdom and of sound judgment may animate each branch of the Legislature.