OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12404, 14 July 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

— : o THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

A BRIEF CEREMONY. WELLINGTON", July 1. . The third and last session of the' fourteenth Parliament was opened this afternoon with the usual ceremony. The weather was all that could be desired, ami there was a large attendance of tho public, both inside and outeido the Parliament Tiuilding?. The Governor arrived at- the- Legislative Council Chamber at 2.30, the Horotuungu Mounted J Rifles tarnishing tho escort anrl the 'Wellinjf ■ ton Collego Cadets a guard of honour, while D Battery fired tho salute. Hjs Excellency ! was nceompanied by Contain' Alexander, Captain Rich, of HiM'S. Ringarooma, Goneral Babingtori, and Captain Campbell. Lady Constance Knbx, Lady Eileen Knox, Lady Ward, and Miss Ward occupied feats' alongside the Speaker's chair, uud opposite to thorn the foreign Consuls .were grouped. There .was a large muster of members of i the Lower Home, but the attendance- of Legislative Councillors was small. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. The Governor's Sncfch much shorter . than usual, and only occupied 12 mimitca in delivery. Tho speech wns as follow-;.: — Honourable Gentleman of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives. . . Tho pleasure with which I have hitherto i met you in Parliament* assembled is on this ■ occasion clouded by the distressing intelli- ' geneo of his Majesty's illness and' the eonso- . quent postponement of tho Coronation. The fad news reachod mo from the Secretary of | State on the 25th June, and it was at once decided that all contemplated festivities should be abandoned, excepting (as intimated by his Majesty's wish) those relating to the children and tho inmates qf.benevolent institutions, and tin's accordingly wns done. Intercessory services were held in tho churches, and the deepest regret and sympathy were, universally manifested and telegraphed to the Secretary of State, expressing on behalf of the Government-and ps.oplo of New Zealand their'deep sorrow at heaving of his Majesty's illness, and their earnest wishes for hisispecdy recovery. The latest medical bulletins arc reassuring, and we wait in prayer and hope that Divine Providence iu iu wisdom and mercy may long spare him to his people- and the Empire. I have to.congratulate- you upon the termination of the war in South Africa and the restoration of peace—a peace honourable to the Empire and generous to the vanquished. There is every 'prospect that our late enemies' will loyally accent the new conditions, and as members of tho Empire enjoy in the near fuin.ro the fame constitutional rights of self-governmsnt as aro possessed by the people of New Zealand. During the year three additional contingents (the Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth) were despatched, making a total force of &701officers and men and 6520 horses sent from i New Zealand to South Africa during the war. Tlio last contingent were raised as readily as the first, affording ample proof— if proof were nooded—that tho colony has been moved, not by pacing impulse, but j by ii firm resolve to maintain the integrity of the Empire. Our troops have liornc themselves gallantly and' "well, and the colony is proud of them: It will give pome measure of consolation to the relatives of those who have fallen to know that there is universal sympathy for them in their I sorrow, and that the memories of tho fallen will always be hold in honour, by New Zeahuukrs «s those of men who foil fighting for their country. The birthday of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales—his first birthday under that title—was celebrated on tlio 3rd June. The respectful congratulations of tho Govenimenl ami people.of.;the colony were duly conveyed to,.and graciously acknowledged by, his Royal Highness. An Imperial Conference of the colonial Premiors and representatives of the British. Cabinet has been summoned to meet in London, and, a? yon are aware, the Premier of New Zealand is ren'rosenling this colony. Important subjects will" bo di-cussed there, ond Parliament may be- nsked to pass piich legislation as will be.necessary to give effect to the decisions of the conference, in so far as they afjeet New Zealand. His Majesty having honoured New Zealand by inviting the Premier to attend the Coronation cermv.onios as hu guest, Mr fieddon proceeded to London by way of South Africa. He spent ovor a week there, and matin all possible inquiries as to the condition and comfort, of the New Zealand (roops, as well as: to matters affecting trade relations with this country. He reached Lomloli on (he Mlh of .Tune. My Ministers aro ratified that at the conference and cl-ev.'lievc he will do good r.cmce to the State in questions of Imperial concern' as well a? in those nioro immediately affecting New Zealand. The hearty reception everywhere accorded to him m> tho vepvcw.ntativo of Now Zealand is a gratifying recognition of the assistance rendered by this colony during the war, T am pleased to inform you ilia* the Australian Commonwealth has agreed to admit New; Zealand letters at. tho.pc-Tiny rate. Our pnnnj- postage system has thus' within the British Empire become universal. A wnvl; of Imperial , and colonial importance—viz., the laying of the first peciions of the. Pacific cable from Queensland to Norfolk Island, Fiji, and New Zealand, has already boon completed, mid the final section conncpiing Vancouver, Fanning Island, and Fiji will probably be- finished in about six months. This work may be ■ fittingly termed a link in tho cliain which will bind tho various portions of the Umpire with tics of a common onuso and common interest. _ His Imperial .Tapaneso Majesty's train-, ing ships Iliyoi and Kongo lately visited tho polony on their way to Fiji. - Tho commanders and their office™ were, welcomed by my Ministers, and every attention was shown them, Tho courtesy they received was cordially acknowledged. The- terrible, disaster which has overtaken the residents of the island of Martinique and other islands adjacent thereto ha's excited the sympathy of all classes in this country, and a message to that effect has been despatched to the French Government. Major-general Rabingfon has been .appointed Commandant o[ the New Zealand Forces, and has assumed control. Undov his 'direction I trust 'this branch of his Majesty's service will .'receive th&. attention its importance domauds. He lias already visitwl a largo number, of corp3, iind is malcinpr himself acquainted with the country and its requirements. His report wMI be duly placed before you. Tho legislation passed during last session M Parliament creating a system <if Maori Umiipils has boon favourably received, and ! promises to bo mecovful. The Native ; Minister has visited the various parts of , tho colony, and met large numbers of . Maoris, phein? before them fully tho nature , and details of the system. It is with picaHire I inform you that tho relationship existing between tho Europeans and Maoris if of the happiest dcfcriplion, and that the new legislation orivos good hope of a higher ami more intelligent lifn for. the Maori ■ people. The administration of the Cook Islands i is proceeding satisfactorily. The changes I consequent on their lioin« included within the boundaries of New Zealand have been effected without friction, and tho natives soein perfectly contented with thn new order of tliiiijjs. Fipureg relative to tlio trade of tho island; will be placed before you. <Vs ! the act expires eoon after the clow of the ! session, an amending bill will be neces- ' isary. - . i : trade with South Africa has developed during tho year, nnd I am happy to say , that a consiflcrohlc portion of it has come ■ to New Zealand. Much, difficulty .has been i experienced in obtaining snitablcr steamers , for carrying on a dhvei; service, but it is : expected that the negotiations which have been proceeding for some timo will be i successfully completed. [ My Ministers aro of opinion .that it u : advisable io an'point commercial agents in . the United Kingdom. South Africa, and ! Australia without delay, with a view to , obtaining increased markets for our pro- . du.ee.. i I'lirsuant to the statutory provision in ( that behalf, . tho Representation. Comniis- ; sionevs have mot for the purpose of read- . jushing the boundaries of the electoral disI tricts on the Ikiri, of the Inst census, and . assigning electorate* to thn six additional i sp.its created by " The Kopresc-utat-iou Act, . 1900." Their report will 'bo submitted to ■ you at the earliest possible date,

Since thn last session of Parliament I have visited various parts of the colony, and am happy to inform you that upon nil sides I found evidence of the progress and prosperity of the people. Mr Speaker and (iontlemcn of the Houso of Representatives. Notwithstanding many heavy and unusual items of non-recurring expenditure., and the luvge concessions made to tho public jn railway charges. Customs duties, and postage, rates, the ropult of the year's operations has boon satisfactory. The revenuo has kept up, mid a sultsfcatitial balance stood to tho credit of the colony at' the end of the financial year. The Estimates for the year, prepared with tho strictest economy 'consistent with efficiency, will, in the ordinary course, be placed boforo you for consideration. Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and (icntlomen of the House of Representative?. Mc»shm3 will bo submitted dealing with the electoral laws, .so as to bring them more in touch with the existing circumstances of the' colony. They will include the Referendum Hill, which was passed last session by one branch of tho Legislature. A bill providing for State fire insurance will alro bo introduced. Some necofs'ary amendments in tho Land Act (including proposals for rebates to Crown tenants) will likewise be submitted. You will also he asked to consider a measure making provision for tho aged and retired officers of tho railway service. The labour legislation is' working with reasonable smoothness, considering tho complex interests involved, but some amendments of a detail nature may be necessary. Under the act of last sescion a State coal mine has been purchased, and my Ministers hopo it will soon bo in working order. The Point Elizabeth Railway Coal Company's railway has been acquired in connection with it, In the opinion of my Advisers, the question of preventing combinations by which the prices of food supplies are improperly raised to consumers is of imnortanco, anil should be considered. Ymi will bo asked to mnko provision for the important work of prosecuting tho trunk lines of railway, as well as of carrying, on other lines now in course of construction. Difficulties have arisen in applying the Military Pensions Act to the South African service, and several eases of undoubted hardship have occurred which, in the' opinion of my Ministers, should be pio- . vided for by an amending measure! The timber industry is active, but to ensure its permanency further provision should bo made for felling and forest conservation. Further provision is equally necessary for the reading of the lands to open up back" blocks and assist settlement. Several estates have been acquired under flic Land for Settlements Acts, and aro being satisfactorily disposed of. It is the unanimous desire of my Adviser? to do all in their power to make settlement a succo-e. Proposals on these subjects will be submitted to yon, and, in addition, you will be asked to deal with measures relating to mining matters, the public health, the protectiou of young persons, the company law, and other subject? affecting the social and industrial welfare of the community. Commending the proposals of my Ministers to your earnest attention, T pray that, with the blessing of Almightv God, the result of your labours may be for the good of the Empire, and of lasting benefit to the people of New Zealand. ' .

LF.GISLATIVK COUNCIL.

On (ho Council resuming; after the. opening ceremony, The Hon. W. C. WALKER moved that an address of sympathy bo forwarded to the King in his illness, and expressive of a hope for his speedy and coinplote roeovoty. j:To believed such an address would meet the approval, not only of the Council, hut the whole colony. Tho King's illness eamo as a. shack to the whole country, and a imivcraii} cry arose to tho Throne of Mercy for his recovery. Tho King's life had bocii that of a live man. and his loss would have boon a loss -to progress. The Hon. Mr 'BATLIte seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES.

SYMPATHY. WITH THE KING. Immediately on tho Houfo re-assembling, Sir ,T. G. AVARD moved that before entering on the ordinary business of the session this House, desires to express its deep sorrow for Ills Majesty tho King's illness and its earnest hope that ho may speedily be restored to health, and that an < address b« presented to 'the Governor requesting him to forward a copy of this resolution to tho Secretary of State for the Colonies for submission to his Majesty. Sir J. fi. Ward added that the Governor had during tho afternoon received tho following message from Mr Chamberlain:—" Glad to inform you tho King continues to progress'as favourably as could possibly ho expected. No bad symptoms. Inform Parliament," The Acting-Premier, in expressing regret at tho circumstances which had caused the postponement of the Coronation, said his Majesty had the deep sympathy of his loynl subjects, who earnestly desired .that hia recovery might continue till ho was fuilv restored to health. Sir WILLIAM RUSSELL seconded the motion, which was agreed to.