OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Patea Mail, Volume XII, Issue 12, 14 May 1886, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

(per press association.) THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH. WELLINGTON, This day. The third session of the ninth JdW. liament of New Zealand was this oay opened by the Governor, when Hia Excellency was pleased to make the Honourable Gentlemen op .. the Legislative Council) and Gentlemen op the House of Rbpesen TATIVEsV— ' '‘

It affords n)fe Much-pleasure to meet you thus early in Parliament assembled. The year now passed will bp memorable throughout the British domi|iibnß as that on which our gracious Sovereign enters-.on. the fiftieth year of her reign. You will, I feel assured, desire to'prove that the subjects of this, the most distant portion of Her Majesty’s possessions, share 1 equally: with Her Majesty’s subjecte in other paits' bf the world,'the highest appreciation of the great results of her long and beneficent reign. You w ill be asked to point,out the Most suitable way. of shewing, on behalf of the people of Now Zealand, their, affection and* duty to the person of their loVo to the Crown, their sense of gratification at belonging to a realm enjoying so benignant a'reign, arid their desire to see the bonds which, unite every portion of Her Majesty’s vast empire confirmed and strengthened.., It is? particularly appropriate to such year that I.am’.able to announce to you that In the opinion of my Ministers- there has never been a time whMithe;rdkdlbns between Her Majesty’s European and Maori subjects have been of so ! ’ r aVhaWter. The Maoris are ; evincing an intelligent interest in colonising operations, and a cordial recognition of the laws, of the colony. They show this excellent dispositioii! by; the: readinoss with Tybjcb they are seeding Crown Titles for large •areas of ;c6untry, through which Ithe Northern Trunk Railway will pass; and by their willingness to, part with land to the Gbvemmenk‘ ;; fdr The” purposes of settlement along the line of Railway. Negotiations for srich lands are in the opinion of my advisers proceeding satisfactorily, and with due regard to the necessity, of a sufficient quantity by Maoris for their own use.

I-AHX> 3UA.WS.-- ■ ■ A. You will be asked to amend laws relating to the disposal ofNative Lands, in the direction which appears to my Ministers best adapted to do justice to the;■ Mao|i owners, • and tp. hastengthe occupation and settlement yhpn the country public Vworks have been proceeded with as rapidly as the means placed- at* the bf merit permitted: ' FPUBLIC Proposals before you for continuing railways and otheF public works, on-a scale consistent with the circumstances of the colony, and in a man ner most calculated ■to secure sound economical results.

DEPRESSION 1 . New Zealand is suffering from the depression that appears to prevail throughput is affecting j this|. Colony much' legs’ than other countries because of its great resources,, opinion that this,de juessipn rather .than.tending to discourage the energies oF the'people should lead them to additional exertions, and that,* Concurrently with the progress of railways,tunity be offered to settlers to bccttpy and cultivate land "|n farms of reasonable sizbi ? 'fkM^i^M‘' ir crtier countries will be attracted, to the Colony, jand materially aid the’progress. ' ’

Tii calling your attention lo tKe gracious compliment which Her. Majesty paid to all Hie Colonies and India by. opening the devoted „ to. their products, and to tKe gratitude the Colonies and India o.wo to His JRoyal ffighttpss the Prince, of Wales,- %•jthe untiring exertions which: have ;led to the success of; J am glad., to be able to say that ,my Ministers have .jjised their utmost, endeavour? tp-fsec|iro for this Colony an adequate representation, , , -.OP ; THE d50U8B; .bf!MEP- ’ EEYESUK A3fD EXPBNDITUEK. The estimates of revenue and expend!tute>for, the current , year laid before you. My advisers fully recognise the importance of keepitfg , down the expenditure to the lowest limit, consistent with meeting the requirements oithe'public'service;' and the wants of the country. The finances, of, the Colony are in a sound condition, and gratifying progress is being made, with of the loans. > : f , ' • ■ r! ' ’EBISCO MAIL' SERVICE. ' Tile San Francisco Mail Services ’have been,re-established at a, cost wifcbin the. ‘ authority which you gave.by resolution. It is gratifying that the contract should have been by a; New Zealand Company on behalf itself and a powerful Americari3rgani»ation.is equally gratifying., that ; jNewC Sqjtth joins ip the Mrangepiept,. and that assistance is. received from' the Government of the United States. -

Honoueable Gentlemen • h i>r' : the ' XegISBATIVE AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HbUSB jtyjf T.ATIYES,- -;... .; I 'V' * Whilst giving attention to the lingertakings ’which it is; the coiopgl should carry out, it is not to-fee forgotten that the works constructed by LOCAL BODIES •

Are of essential importance towards promoting and extending' the settlement of lands. A measure will be placed* before you dealing with the finance of local bodies,'and enlarging their power of directly managing their •own,,jwffairs. My Ministers view with .satisfaction the disposition being.shown to develop the LOCAL BESOUHCRS Of the colony, including those-pf the-.

; s , vr**** 9 V mines, the forests, and the fisheries. It ; is of and take advantage o£ wealth • of"' ’New Zealand, and, to encourage. the of industries of, , varied character. , My place great faith in the opera-, tion of a policy which embraces the pdk&s of (I protecting) local industiiea, and thus affording a bun-: dani* occupation ito the population; /permitting ; settlement by liberal Land Laws ; i constructing > railways, with a view to opening the country ; aiding the progress r of settlement,' and specially securing satisfactory economical results!; placing local bodies in a position to open roads and do other useful work; giving to the mining population liberal facilities, and the establishing of friendly relations with the Maoris The .arrangement for construction of ■■the M ■ ~ INLAND BAILWAT Under authority conceded by Parliament is, in the opinion of my advisers, a' matter of hearty rejoicing. Some points 'of a not material nature will (have to be submitted: for the of Parliament. : The attention, of my Ministers has been constantly directed .to vquestions relating to . V . ;THB SOUTH SEA ISLANDS. And; < whilst recognising! the important i interest New Zealand has in ’these : matters, they have carefully •avoided exceeding the' authority with 'which Parliament has endowed them. Papers on;the subject will be presented. Bills will be submitted to you toconsolidate the laws relating to crimes, to municipalities, * to.. Voiunteera, and to W : mihea; to establish a parcels post system, and to amend the Charitable 4jd and Hospitals Act. I commend to -your . attention the' business that will ‘comes- before you, and earnestly hop© ttfiat your labours..will under the blessing "of * .God bo’ attended with good to the colony.} ~ -■ ■ :