OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10919, 28 September 1897, Page 3

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH,

Wellington, September 23.

The second session of the thirteenth Parliament of New Zealand was opened this afternoon by the Governor. Despite a blustering equinoctial gale there was a good attendance of the public in the grounds outside, and the galleries and floor of the Legislative Council Chamber weie, as usual, packed with ladies, among whom were the Couutess of Ranfurly and her eldest daughter. The horses attached to his Excellency's carriage wera frightened by the artillery salute, and it took 10 minutes to induce them to eater thß gates quietly. Lord Kmf urly was dressed iv a ralhei unusual uniform—a gold-laced coat and hat, white knee breeches, and white silk stockings—and he ■wore the Order of St. John. He was accompanied by his aide-decamp and private secretary aud six or seven consuls. Twenty-three members of the Upper and about 60 of the Lower House were present. Owing to the delay at the begiuuiog and ths unusual length of the Speech, it was just on.a quarter past 3 before the proceedings were finished ar;il the members were enabled to adjourn to their resuective chsmbsrs.

The following w&s the Governor's Speech : — Honourable Gentlemen* of the Legislative Council And Gentlemen ox^ thk Housa

OF REPitESEXTATIVES, —

As the representative of .her Bloat Gracious Majesty, it is pleasing to me to meet you in Failiama'tit assembled so soon after my arrival in New Zealand. The cordial welcome tendered to me on my lauding will ever be gratefully remembered. From what I have already eeen I'am favourably impressed with your safe and beautiful harbours and splendid lands, and with the manifest evidences" of industrial progress, and I Fesl assured that, with c«efnl administration and reasonable opportunities, this colony bas a great future before it. The enthusiastic expressions, of loyalty and devotion to her Majesty on the part of the people in all the places so far visited by me have been most gratifying. I shall, as time and opportunity permit, visit the different parts of the colony to make the acquaintance of the people, to see and admire the scenery for which New Zssland is famed, arjd endeavour to obtain a personal' knowledge of the pro.iu'jtiveness of the soil, the progress that has besu made in the establishment of industries, and the richness and extant of the mineral deposits.

Since you were last called together the brightest event in the history of ths British nation has occurred. Representatives from nearly all parts of the world took part in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Hei- Most Gracious Majesty received from her subjects in all parts of the Empire congratulations on the completion of (lie sixtieth year of her glorious reigu. The enthusiasm shovrn everywhere on the part of her subjects gave proof of their loyalty to the Throne, of their reverence aud personal attachment to the Sovereign, and of their appreciation of the bencQt3—political, Bdcial, and moriil—that have accrued since her Majesty's secession. In fitting tesognition of the hospitalityoi the British nation, and as an evidence of our attachment to the Throne and Royal Family, my Ministers are of the opiuion that the invitation to tbeir Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York to visit Australia sncl New Zealand should be renewed.

During tbe recess tbe Primt; Minister, having, with your concurrence, accepted the invitation of the Secretary of State for the Calonios, viqifced London; and took part iv the Record Reiga celebrations. The hearty and enthusiastic welcome accorded to all the Premiers and to the Colonial Defence Force Contingent by the vast concourse of people there assembled ibundantly showed how closely we are united with those at1 Home, snd how strong are the bonds of affrfciion existing between tha people 3t the colonies'and their kiudrcd in the mother country. Visits were made by the representatives of the,colonies to several of the principal towns in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wale?, and everywhere the greatest hospitality &nd goodwill were manifested. Amongst the important matters discusssd between the Secretary of Slate and the colonial Premiers OTerejgaestioria relating to closer trad© relationship with Great Britain, alien immigration, investment of trust funds in colonial securities, assimilation of commercial laws, improved cable communication, postal arrangements, the I'acific islands, and Australasian defence. It was deemed advisable to publish only the decisions arrived at,.togefher with the speeches of the Secretary of State for tho Colonies and^the First Lord of the Admiralty. When received these will bs laid before you. Meantime, if- is with pleasure I inform yon that the Imperial authorities have dvnouueed buc'q treaties as stood in the way of the colonies regulating their own fiscal concerns aud improving, their..commercial relations with the mother country,- The treaties, however, eanr.o& be- annulled until, a year after they are danounceyl. '

I hay« further to inform you that the Home authorities do nob intend to make any alteration respecting the. Australasian squadron, and, unless Parliament otherwise, orders, my Advisers infend that the existing agreements shall remain undisturbed. The Secretary of State has forwarded to the various/colonial Governors a despatah containing a ieport of the conference between the Colonial Office snd the colonial Premiers, in which/he states that the Imperial Government desires to record their strong sense of the loyal arid patriotic spirit shown by ail the representatives of the colonies in the course of their,discussions, bat hope that their colonial colleagues are satisfied that their visit has been productive of great advantage-to the Empire, and that the conferences which havß been held have resulted in such free interchange cf .views as- will have a lasting and beneficial effect in seburing a complete mutual uaderstanding between the colonies and the mother country. The despatch will he laid before you in due course. ;

/ The success that ha 3 attended the sending of a contingent of our defence forces to take part in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations will, I hope, have removed the misgivings of those who hesitated to incur the necessary expense. The Belt-sacrifice of those who formed the contingent in undertaking in the interests of the colony and Empire so long a journey, and devoting so much of their time without fee or reward, cannot be too highly commended. They were received with the greatest enthusiasm by the people at Home, aud their efiieiency, physique, snd excillont behaviour evoked much praise. Our kindred in the mother land were greatly pleased to welcome in the ranks of the contingent members of the Maori race, whose presence as comrade; in arms testified to the outside world that the two races ara welded together by a common sentiment of loyalty, which will ever tend to promote the well-bemg and best interest of the colony.

The representative rifle team acquitted themselves most creditably at Bisley. aud the colony has every reason to bo proud of their excellent performance, especially in the competition for the Kolapore Cup, in which they took second place. By the death of the chief of the Ngatiporou tribe, the Hon. Major Ropata Wahawaha, a remarkable figure in the hiatory of the colony has been removed. He rendered valuable services to both races, and at a trying time p.tood by the early settlers and saved the lives and property of many of them. Major Rop&ta will ever be gratefully remembered by tb.B people of New Zealand,

The loss of life and damage te private propsrty, roads, and railways by floods in pottion of the Hawke's Bay and Rangitikei districts have naturally evoked from all parts of the colony expressions of regret and sympathy. Practical assistance has been rendered. To some extent the losses sustained have been lightened. The Government have given e7ery help, and are endeavouring to restore permanent railway communication as quickly aSj possible. The periodical recurrence of floods iv these localities points to the necessity for adopting permanent remedial measures. Seeing the seriousness of the situation tho local authorities will, no doubt, give the niitter their bsst attention, and it will be for Parliament to decide how far they will be assisted by the State.

A conference was held in February last at Hofcart, at which the Premiers of Australia, and this colony were prelect. Amongst ths subjects dealt with were closer trade relations with the mother country and Au3trahsia, intercolonial rtcipronity, Australasian quarantine, codification of the commercial law of the United Kingdom and all tbe colonies, treaty with Japau, conservation of British interests in ths Pacific I-lsnds. &afu:'alisstion of aliens, txjurt of Australasian produce, I?iiri3 Exhibition, uniformity of legislation on merchandise marks, and alteration in the mode of preparing statistics relating to imports and exports. Ctpies of the resolutions passed at the conference will belaid before you, Tfco ontlook with respect to mining in the colony ii very nroaaising, and the development of our mices "and mining reserves is making satisfactory progress. Change* in the method of working, the application of new processes, and the substitution of modern machinery and appliances for snch as had become obsolete caused a temporary stoppage and a consequent fallinc-off in the retains from mines in work last year. The returns for the half-year ended 30th June exceed those of the corresponding period last; ye*r, although not nugtneuted to any appreciable extent by the proceeds of new mines.

Mb Speakeb and Gentlemen of ths House

of Representatives,—

Estimates allowing the receipts aud expenditure for the year hive been prepared, and will be submitted to you. The education expenditure in particular has increased considerably during the last six years, following the growth of the population. Economy has been observed, having dne regard to the growing requirements of the colony and of the public service. lhv

necessary moneys will, my Advisers hope, be cheerfully provided. As compared with last year's returns, there is an increase from railways, customs, excise, Btamp3, la^d and income tax, and miscellaneous soutces; but, as the effect of a disastrous snowstorm two winters ago and of other causes, there has been a fallingoff in respect to territorial revenue, particularly in the sale of land for cash—not a matter for serious regret. The frequent interruptions that occur in tels-gi-iphic commnnicatiou with Auckland aud the northern parts of the colony cause great loss and inconvenience, and render it necessary that an improved service should be established.

It will be admitted that there exists a necessity for the establishment; of a university college at Wellington, but, owing to funds not having been provided and other causes, the existing legislation 13 a dead letter. A measure will be submitted providiug an endowment, but on Buch conditions and so safegunrdsd as to secure to Btudents f coin the primary schools whose parents are not well to do the advantages of a university courae. You will also be required to piss further legislation for technical schools and the promotion of technical education!

Honourable Gkntxemeu of the Legislative Council and Geutlembs of tub House of Representatives,—

The excessive freights charged for some time past for the carriage oE New Zealand products to Europe, with the keen compstition ruling, h?.ve severely handicapped our producers and become a matter of grave concern. My Ministers, after carefully looking into the question, came to the conclusion that action should be taken in the matter. When in Australia, at the commencement of the year, the Prime Minister made the fullest inquiries, with the result that the producers of N«w Zealand were found to be paying considerably mote than was beiug paid by tbeir Australian competitors. Later ou, immediately afterhi3 arrival in London, conaidesiog the matter important and urgent, he brought it under public notice, and intimated that uuless wa<ion*bla retlustioua were made it would be the duty of the Government to briug the subject under the review of Parliament. I am gUd to b3 able to say that substantial reductions have been made, but my Ministers are of opinion that in some respects the freights on dairy and other produce are still too high. Papers relating to -this matter will be luid before you. My Advisers consider that the question of the distribution and storage of ths products or our colony in the mother country is very important. A wider and increased market in Great Britain, the colonies, and other parti of the Empire is wanted, aud the introduction of some of our staple products to foreign.countries is possible. The greatest care and supervision should be exercised in the shipping of produce and also during transit. Concentration of the cargoes and combination, so a* to ensure regularity in feediag the Home market, are very necessary. Tha Governnuufc have every reason to bslieve that the Thames. Dock Compaoy are willing, on fair and reasonable terms, to expand a large sum in erecting and eqoippiug wellplaced sorting sheds for frozsn produce. Information regarding these important questions will be placed before you. It is well known that at the present time the products of New Zealand have suffered. The matter has raceieed the anxious attention of the Ministers, and wbi'e in no way wishing- to interfere _ unduly with private enterprise they are of opinion that the supply of superior products ehould be ensured to buyer*, and th»6 the honest producers should be rewarded for'supplying a firstclass article. Legislation ou this subject will, I hops, receive your best attention. The dearth of info.-ination supplied to the British public, especially in the provincial districts, and to foreign nations with respect to the colony and its products and resources calls for attention, and remedial measures will ba submitted for your consideration. Sering the abundance of fish thero is in Now Zealand waters, and bearing in tnind the great national advantages to ba derived from deepsea fi>hing, and the little that has bean done in this direction up to the presout,iny Advisers desira to draw your attention to this question. They will alao invite you to consider the expediency of providiug further assistance to acclimatisation. . ■ ■■ ■ .

Tha intentions of Parliament as to the preservation aud protection of fur saals have beeu frustrated. The great; value of the skins, the scarcity of seals in other parts of the world, snd the possibility of establishing seal fishiug on our shores and the islands adjacent thereto render it necessary that the present unsatisfactory condition of affairs should be remedie'. When in Hob&rt, the Primß Minister offered, subject to ratification by Parliament, to leaoe at a nominal rental from the Tismauiin Government the Macquarie Islands. This offer hns been favourably received, and papers relatiug thereto will bo laid before you.

During the receM a Royal Commission has ißquirad into tha working of .private beuefis •societies, and it is plea^iag to find from the evidence adduced that in a gr.;at majority of cases the societies are doing good work. A legal status should, however, be givea to them, but ou such conditions as will in no way hamper their operations.

My Government have had to consider the propriety of introducing further banking legislation, and having regard to the geuerallyexpressed opinion that ill order to strengthen the business of th 9' Bink of New Zealand a change in the constitution of ths Board of Directors is desirable, it has been decided to submit for your consideration proposals which they hope may bs fiaal and satisfactory. As you are no doubb aware, the San Francisco mail contract shortly expires. To give Parliament nn opportunity of fairly considering the question of tne carriage of mails between the United States and Canadt, the mother country, and Now Zealand, it id proposed to make temporary arrangements until the 31st March next. The Vancouver mail boats are now calling at Wellington, without, however, any arrangement with or obligatipa on ths patb of the Government. The time taken for the carriage of our mnils by sea under the present services is capable of • improvement, and the developments that are taking place render it advisable for you to give this important question your earnest attention. One of ths first meaaures you will be asked to pass is a bill to provide for the p-otestion of youog girls and for the prevention of an evil which, it is painful to admit, exists in the larger cities of the colonies. You will also be asked to repeal an undesirable act now on our Statute Book relating to a subject which for some time past has caused considerable controversy. You will also be invited to consider bills to amend the Constitution by abolishing the life tenure of members of the Legislative Council under certain conditions, and by providing for the reference of resolutions of both Houses and rejected bills to the direct vote of the people thereupon; to limit the hoars of I labour of parsons engaged in factories oc in aad about mioes to eight hoor3 ; to prevent usury ; to provide an optional system of Government fire insurance; to amend the law relatiug to masters and apprentices ; to extend the municipal franchise aud tJ consolidate and amend the laws relating to municipal corporations ; to extend the operation of the Land for Settlements Act; and to ensure the satisfactory export of products. Other necessary raea.sar.is will in due course'ba submitted for your attention.

You are, no doubt, aware that for some time past litigation has been psnding between the Crown and the Cassel Gold Extracting Company (Limited). 'Jo end thi3 matter, bub without prejudice, an agt-eemeut ha? been made by which the Crown, subject to the approval of Parliament, acquires the rights of the company for the sum of £15 000. You will be asked to consider a bill to give effect to ibis proposal.

The principal Mining Act of the colony was passed in 1891. S'mca that year tliere have been numerous amending Mining Acts passed, and experience prove* that the necessity exists for consolidating and simplifying the laws affecting goldfields and mine?, and for provision being made to meet the altered circumstances attendant on the development of our mines which have taken place during late yews, It is also necessary to extend the tenure in eases where the proper working of the mines involves a large expenditure of capital. For these purposes a Miniug Bill will ba laid bafore you. You will be plf-ased to haar that the mining legislation of last year is working satisfactorily. During last Parliament an act was passed for the purpose of ascertaining what number of aged people there were.in the colony who, under certain conditions, would claim psnsions should the State decide to provide the same for them. The returns will bs laid before you, aud yon will be asked to give your attention to this mo3t important and necessary though complicated social question, and to the means by which provision may ba made for sged and deserving persons without casting a stigma on the recipients.

Ib br.ving been proven itmtin certain portions of our colony beetroot can bo grown with sitisfacbory results, my Advisers consider that the timo has arrived when the production of sugar from New Zealand - grown b:et ahould be farther encouraged. A bill to amend and extend fcho present lair will bs submitted to yon for your cocsidera'ion. For some time past exception has been talcon to tbe tux imposed upoa non-resident commercial travellers. It has bsen loiked upon by the other colonies as unoeighbonrly, and in the mother country it had been stated that -the existence of this tax prevented merchants and manufacturers from sending representatives to New Zealand. Under these circumstances, and a healthy exchequer permitting it, ths question of rcpealiog the existing law will be submitted to you for your consideration. The trade and commercial prospects of the colony are good aud the gittlement of the people on tbe land is progrtsjing satisfactorily. Daring the recess there was a slight falling off in the exports bat this was in value more than in volume ; and on the other hand a legitimate increase in the imports took place, evideueing comparative prosperity, increased population, and enlarged spending power on tho part of the people. The advance in the price of b&nk, insurance, gas, shipping, woollen, meat, railway,

and building companies' shares shows confidence, and proves that the fioancial mist which clouded the business horizon three years ago is fast disappearing, and that larger investments are flowing into natural and reproductive channels.

I feel assured you will devote your best energies to the development of the resources of this richly endowed colony, and to the promotion of the welfare and happiness of its inhabitants it; is my earnest desire to help to assist yon. I now declare this session of Parliament open, and I trust that by the blessing of Almighty God its proceedings may advance the honour of Parliament and redound to the credit of the Empire and to the good of the people of New Zealand.

The two Houses adjourned immediately upon assembling at, the cloeo of the Governor's Speech—the Legislative Council as a mark of respsct to tho memocy of the lafce Major Ropata Wahiiwaha, M.Li.G., and the House of Rt;pregpntatives out of respect to the memory of the late Mr H. S. Fish, M.H.R.