OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume V, Issue 548, 24 September 1897, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

The Governor’s Speech. (By Telegraph). Wellington, September 23. Parliament was opened this afternoon. His Excellence’s speech was as follows - Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,—

As the representative of Her Most Gracious Majesty, it is pleasing to me to meet you in Parliament assembled so soon after my arrival in New Zealand. The cordial welcome tendered to me on my landing will ever begratefully remembered. From what I have already seen I am favorably impressed with your safe and beautiful harbour and splendid lands and with the manifest evidences of industrial progress, and I feel assured that with careful administration and reasonable opportunities this Colony has 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 Zealand is famed, and to endeavour to obtain a personal knowledge of the productiveness of the soil, the progress that has been made m the establishment of industries, and the richness and extent of the mineral deposits. Bincc you were last called together, the brightest event in the history of the British nation has occurred. -Representatives from nearly all parts of the world took part in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Her Most Gracious Majesty received from her subjects in all parts of the empire congratulations on the completion of the sixtieth year of her glorious reign. The enthusiasm everywhere shown on the part of her subjects gave proof of their loyalty to the throne, their reverence and personal attachment to the Sovereign, and their appreciation of the benefits, political, social, and moral that have accrued since Her Majesty’s accession. In fitting recognition of the hospitality of the British nation and as an evidence of our attachment to the Throne and the Royal Family, my Ministers are of the opinion that the invitation to their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York to visit Australia and New Zealand should be renewed. During the recess the Prime Minister, having with your concurrence accepted the invitation of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, visited London and took part in the Record Reign Celebrations. The hearty and enthusiastic welcome accorded to all the Premiers and to the Colonial defence force contingents, by the vast concourse of people there assembled, abundantly showed how closely we are united with those at Home and how strong are the bonds of affection existing between the people of the colonies and their kindred in the mother country. Visits were made by the representatives of the colonies to several of the principal towns in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, and everywhere the greatest hospitality 4ml goodwill were manifested. Amongst tho important matters discussed between the Secretary of State and the colonial Premiers were questions relating to closer trade relationship with Great Britain, alien immigration, investment of trust funds in colonial securities, assimilation of of commercial laws, improved cable communication, postal arrangements, the Pacific Islands, and Australasian defenco. It was deemed advisable to publish only tho decisions arrived at, together with tho speeches of the secretary of State for the Colonies, and the First Lord of the Admiralty. When received theso will bo laid before you. Meantime it is with pleasure I inform you that tho Imperial authorities have denounced such treaties as stood in tho way of the colonies regulating their own fiscal concerns and improving their commercial relations with the mothor country. Tho treaties, however, cannot bo annulled until a year after they are denounced. I have further to inform you that tho Home authorities do not intend to make any alteration respecting the Australian squadron, and unless Parliament otherwise orders my advisers intend that tho existing agreement shall remain undisturbed. The Secretary of State has forwarded to the various colonial Governors a despatch containing a report of the conference between tho Colonial Office and the colonial Premiers, in which he states that the Imperial Government desires to record its strong sense of the loyal and patriotic spirit shown by all the representatives of the colonies in the course of their discussion, but hopes that their colonial colleagues arc satisfied that their visit has been productive of great advantage to the Empire and that the conferences which have been hold liavo resulted in such a free interchange of views as will have a lasting and beneficial effect in securing a complete mutual understanding between tho colonies and tho mother country. Tho despatch will bo laid bofore you in due course. Tho success that has attended tho sending of a contingent of our dofence forces to tako part in tho Diamond Jubilee celebrations will, l hopo, havo removed tho misgivings of those who hesitated to incur tho necessary expense. The self-sacrifice of thoso who formed tho contingent in undertaking in the interest of the colony and Empire so long a journey and devoting so much of their time without fee or reward cannot he too highly commended. They were received with tho greatest enthusiasm by the people at Home, and their efficiency, physique and excellent behaviour evoked much praise. Our kindred 111 the mother land wore greatly pleased to wolcoino in tho ranks of the contingent members of the Maori race whm;o preseneo as comrades in arms testified to tho oqtsido world that tho two races were welded together by a common sentiment of loyalty which will for over tend to promotp the well being and tho best interests of the colony. The representative team acquitted themselves most creditably at Bisloy, and tin? colony has every reason to bo proud of the excellent performance, especially in tho competition fur the Kolapore Cup, in wtyioli they took second place. By tho death of the

chief of the Ngatiporou tribe, tue Honourable Major Ropata Wahawaha a remarkable figure in the history of the colony has been removed. He rendered valuable services to both races, and at a trying time Btood by the early settlers and saved the lives and property of many of them. Major Ropata will ever bo gratefully remembered by tho people of New Zealand. The loss of life and damage to private property, roads and railways by floods in portions of Hawke’s Bay and ltangitikoi have naturally evoked from all parts of the colony expressions of regret and sympathy. Practical assistance has been rendered and to some extent the losses sustained have been lightened. The Government has given every help and is endeavoring to restore permanent railway communication as quickly as possible. Tho periodical recurrence of floods in these localities points to the necessity of adopting remedial measures. Seeing the seriousness of the situation the local authorities will no doubt give the matter their best attention, and it will bo for Parliament to decide how far they will be assisted by the State. A conference was held in February last at Hobart, in which the premiers of Australia and this colony were present. Amongst the subjects dealt with were closer trade relations with the mother country and Australasia, intercolonial reciprocity, Australasian quarantine, codification of the commercial law of the United Kingdom and all the colonies, treaty with Japan, conservation of British interests in the Pacific Islands, naturalisation of aliens, export of Australasian produce, the Paris exhibition, uniformity of legislation on mechandise marks and alteration in the mode of preparing statistics relating to imports and exports. Copies of tho resolutions pissed at the conference will be laid bofore you. The outlook with respect to mining in the colony is very promising, and the development of our mines and mineral resources is making satisfactory progress. Changes in the method of working, tho application of new processes, and the substitution of modern machinery and appliances for such as had become obselete, caused a temporary stoppage and a consequent falling off in tho returns from mines in work last year. The returns for the half year ending 20th June exceed those of the corresponding period last year, although not augumented to any appreciable extent by the proceeds of new mines. Me Speaker and Gentlemen of the Holse of Representatives,— Estimates showing the receipts and expenditure for the year have been prepared and will be submitted to you. The education expenditure has increased considerably during last six years. Following growth of the population economy has been observed, having due regard to the growing requirements of the colony and of the public service. The necessary moneys will, my advisers hope be cheerfully provided. As compared with last year’s returns there is an increase from railways, customs, excise, stamps, Land and Income Tax and miscellaneous sources. But as the effect of a disastrous snowstorm two winters ago and of other causes there has been a falling off in respect to territorial revenue, particularly in the sales of land for cash. Not a matter for serious regret. The frequent interruptions that oocur in telegraphic communication with Auckland and the northern parts of the colour 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 Wellingtpn. Owing to funds not having been provided and other causes the existing legislation is a dead letter. A measure will be submitted providing an endowment, but on such conditions and so safeguarded as to secure to students from the primary schools, whose parents are not well-to-do, the advantages of a university course. You will also be requested to pass further legislation for technical schools and tho promotion of technical education. Hon. Gentlmen of the Leoislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.—

The excessive freights ohargod for some time past for carriage of New Zealand products to Europe with the keen competition ruling have severely handicapped our producers mid become a matter of grave concern. My Ministers, after carefully looking into the concern, came to the conclusion that action should be taken in the matter. When in Australia in the commencement of tho year the Prime Minister made the fullest enquiries with the result that the producers of New Zealand were found to be paying considerably lqoro than was being paid by their Australian competitors. Later on, immediately after bis arrival in London, considering the matter important and urgent, ho brought it under public notice and intimated that unless reasonable reductions were made it would be the duty of the Government to bring the matter under tho review of Parliament. 1 am glad to bo alio to say that substantial reductions have been made, but my Ministers are of the opinion that in somo respocts the freights on dairy and other produce are still too high. Papers relating to this matter will bo laid before you. My advisors consider tho question of distribution and storage of tho products of our colony in tho Mother Country very important. A wider and increased market ill Great Britain, the colonies, and other parts of the Empire is wanted and tho introduction of some of our staple products to foreign countries is possible. The greatest oure mid supervision should be exorcised in shipping our produce and also during transit. Concentration of the cargoes and combination so as to ensure regularity in feeding the home market are very necessary. Tho Government has every reason to believe that the Thames liQijk (’O. are willing on fair and reasonable terms to expend a large sum in erecting and oquipp' ig will placed sorting sheds for frozen produce. Information regarding theso important questions will also );o placed before you. It is well known that at the prosout timo the products of Now Zealand suffer at the hands of unscrupulous veudors of tho products of other countries. Th s matter lias received tho anxious attention of Ministers, and whilo in no way wishing to interfere unduly with private ontorpriso they are of opinion that the supply of superior products

should be insured to buyers and that the honest producer should be rewarded for supplying a first class article. Legislation on this subject will, I hope, receive your best attentiou. The dearth of information supplied to the British public, especially in the provincial districts, and to foreign nations with respect to the colony and it 3 products and resources ealls for attention and remedial measures will be submitted for your consideration. Seeing the abundance of fish there is in New Zealand waters, and bearing in mind ihe great national advantages to he derived from deep sea fishing, and the little that has been done in this direction up to the present, my advisers desire to draw your attention to this question. They will also invite you to consider the expediency of further assistance to acclimatization. The intentions of Parliament as to the preservation and protection of the fur seals have been frustrated. The great value of the skins, the scarcity of seals in other parts of the world, and the possibility of establishing seal fishing on our shores and the islands adjacent thereto render it necessary that the present unsatisfactory condition of affairs should be remedied. When in Hobart the Premier offered subject to ratification by Parliament to lease at a nominal rental from the Tasmanian Government the Macquarrie Islands. This offer has been favorably received, and papers relating thereto will be laid before you. During the recess a Royal Commission has enquired into the working of private benefit societies, and it is pleasing to find from the evidence adduced that in a great majority of cases the societies are doing good work. A legal status should, however, be given to them bnt on such conditions as will in no way hamper their operations. My Government has had to consider the propriety of introducing further banking legislation, and having regard to the generally expiessed opinion that in order to strengthen the business of the Bank of New Zealand a change in |the constitution of its board of directors is desirable, it has been decided to submit for your consideration proposals which they hope may be final and satisfactory. As you are no doubt aware the San Francisco mail contract shortly expires. To give Parliament an opportunity of fairly considering the question of the carriage of mails between the United States or Canada, the mother country and New Zealand, it is proposed to make temporary arrangements until the 81st day of March next. The Vancouver mail boats are now calling at Wellington without, however, any arrangement with or obligation on the part of the Government. The time taken for the carriage of our mails by sea under present servioe ia capable of improvement, and developments that are taking place render it advisable for you to give this important question your earnest attention. One of the first measures you will be asked to pass is a Bill to provide for the protection of young girls, and for the prevention of an evil which it is painful to admit exists in the larger cities of tbe colony. 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. Y'ou will also be invited to consider Bills to amend tbe constitution by abolishing tbe life tenure of members of the Legislative Council under certain conditions and by providing for the reference of ] resolutions of both Houses and j rejected bills to the direct vote of the people thereupon. To limit the 1 hours of labor of persons engaged in j factories or in and about mines tc eight hours, to prevent usury, to j provide an optional system of Government fire insurance, to amend I the law relating to masters and j apprentices, to extend the municij pal franchise and consolidate and j amend the laws relating to municipal corporations, to extend the operation j of the Land for Settlements Act, the satisfactory export of products and other necessary measures will, in due course, be submitted for your attention. You are no doubt aware that for sone time past litigation lias been pending between the Crown and the Cassel Gold Extracting Company • Ltd). To end this matter, but without prejudice, an agreement has 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 lie asked to consider a bill to give effect to this proposal. Tbe principal mining act of tbe colony was passed in 1891. Since that year there have been numerous amending mining acts passed, and experience proves that the necessity exists for consolidating and simplifying the laws affecting gold-fields and mines, and for provision being made to meet the altered circumstances attendant on tho development of our mines which has taken place during late years. It is also necessary to extend the tenures in cases where the proper . working of the mines involves large j expenditure of capital. For these | purposes a mining bill will be laid ' before you. You will be pleased to i hear that tho mining legislation of last year is working satisfac- 1 torily. During last Parliament an ; ! Act was passed for the purpose of ] ascertaining what number of aged people there were in tho colony who under certain conditions would claim pensions should the State decide to j provide the same for them. The I returns will be laid before you and you will be asked to give your attention to this most important and necessary though complicated social question and tho means by which provision may be made for aged and deserving persons without easting a I stigma on the recipients. It having boon proved that in certain portions of our colony beet root can be grown with satisfactory results my advisers consider that the time has arrived when tho production of sugar from | Now Zealand grown beet should he | further encouraged, a bill to amend 1 and extend the present law will be I submitted to you for your oonsidora- I tion. For some time past exception has been taken to tbe tax imposed ! upon non - residents commercial I travellers. It has been looked upon by the other colonios as nnncighborly and 111 the Mother Country it has been stall'd that the existence of, ibis tax prevented merchants and manufacturers from sending repie 1 sentatives to New Zealand. Under those circumstances, and a healthy exchequer permitting it, the question of repeating the existing law will be submitted to you for your ; consideration. The trade and Commercial prospects of the oolony are good and the settlement of lint,

people on the land is progressing satisfactorily. During the recess there was a slight falling-off in exports, bat this was in value more than in volume. On tbe other band a legitimate increase in imports took place, evidencing comparative prosperity, increased population, and enlarged spending power on tbe part of tbe people, the advance in tbe price of bank insurance, gas, shipping, woollen, meat, railway, and ouiiding companies' shares shows confidence, and proves that the financial mist which clouded the business horizon three years ago is fast disappearing and that larger investments are flowing into natural and productive channels. I feel assured you will devote your best energies to the development of UK resources of this richly endowed colony and to the promoting of the welfare and happiness of its inhabitants. It is my earnest desire to help and assist you. I now decline this session open, Parliament opened, and I trust that by the blessing of Almighty God its proceedings mayadvance the honour of Parliament and redound to the credit of the empire and to the good of the people of New Zealand.

By Telegraph.—Per Press Association.

Wellington, This Day. Parliament opened yesterday afternoon with the usual ceremony by tbe Governor in person. There was a large attendance of the public. In the Coijucil, tbe resignation of J. B. Whyte'and the death of Major Ropata Wahawaha were announced. The Hon. Mr Harris gave notice to move the Address in-Reply on Tuesday.

A resolution was passed placing on record the Council's appreciation of the valuable and gallant services to the colony by Major Wahawaha, and as a mark of respect to the dead chiefs memory the Couneil adjourned till Tuesday.

In the House, Mr C. Wilson, Member for Wellington Suburbs, was sworn in, sad took his seat.

On the Speaker intimating that the Hon. Mr Ward was re elected for Awarua, Mr Geo. Hutchison raised tbe question of the legality of tbe issue of the writ. The Speaker said he had no knowledge of Mr Ward's bankruptcy when he issued the writ. If Mr Ward was present it would be his duty to administer the oath to him.

Mr Ward not being present the matter dropped. Mr Wilson gave notice to move tbe Address-in-Repiy on Tuesday. Feeling and appropriate reference was made by tbe Premier, leader of the Opposition, and Mr Fisher to the death of Mr Fish, and as a mark of respect the House was adjourned till Tuesday.