The Governor's Speech.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 835, 15 July 1879, Page 2

The Governor's Speech.

Wellington, 3.15 p.m. Honorable Legislative Councillors, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— It is a great pleasure to me, so shortly after my assumption to the Governorship of this Colony, to meet the Legislative Council aud the Representatives of New Zealand m Parliament assembled. During the limited time which has elapsed since my arrival I have endeavoured as far as possible to make myself acquainted with the capabilities and requirements of the colony, and to gain by- personal inter- . course a knowledge of its public men, * and of the various communities spread throus^hout its wide extent. The first impressions which I have formed, are very favorable. I have been much gratified by the loyal and cordial reception which has everywhere been accorded to me as her Majesty's representative, and I have to note with admiration, the extent and variety of the resources of the Colony, and the industry and enterprise which are developing them with such marvellous rapidity. I gladly avail myself of this opportunity to express to you, as representing both races of the people of New Zealand, my grateful acknowledgements for the welcome which has been extended to me, and to offer my congratulations upon the fair, healthy, and fertile counjxy which Piovidence has given to you .as an inheritance. My responsible advisers fully recognize the desire that exists for the enactment of measures which will secure a more equal representation of the people, for a more frequent return of members to their constituencies, for reelection for an equitable distribution of burdens of taxation, and for a mode of judicioiss dealing with public lands and with those belonging to Natives.' As a first step towards giving effect to these desires, the following measures will, amongst others be laid before you : — A Bill to amend the law relating to electors qualified to vote at the election of Members of the House of Representatives and a Bill to make provision for representation of people m the General Assembly. These measures, if they receive your sanction, will secure manhood , suffrage on a residential qualification to Europeans, and will give the franchise to men of the Native race who are enrolled on a ratepayer's roll, or who hold individual or grants from the Crown of land to a certain value. The effect of the measures will also be to adjust representation as far as practicable on the basis of population, and to limit duration of future Parliaments to three years. Providing that m future Native reserves lands shall be dealt with only by public auction or public tender, thereby abolishing the present monopoly.

of dealing with lands, and securing the bjst price for Native owners, and giving to every one an opportunity of competing for sales or lease. It is also under consideration how far this principle of public auction ought to be fairly and beneficially applied to such Native land as now remaiu unsurveyed, or the the titles to which, have not yet been investigated by the Courts. The disposal of such lands, with the consent of the Native owners, under the existing land laws of the colony, would greatly promote the increase of settlement ; while, at the same time, it would secure to the Native owners the full value of their estate. Enquiries are now being made to ascertain the opinion of the Natives generally, and if acceptable to them, a Bill for this purpose will be laid before you. The fanaticism which has prevailed on the West Coast of this Island for some years past; has, during the recess, assumed a somewhat alarming appearance. The necessary steps have been taken to secure the peace of the districts, and it is possible that a peaceful solution of the difficulty will be found. Papers m reference to his matter will be laid before you. The negotiations with the Waikato Natives have been suspended, and all offers of settlement have been withdrawn, so that future negotiations must be commenced on a new basis. The behaviour of Tawhiao and his people continues friendly and peaceful, and my advisers have reason to believe that these relations will be mantained. At the same. time, the well-known chief Rewi has given further important proof of his good faith and loyalty. The attitude taken by him affords a guarantee for the continuance of peace, and the maintenance of this would, m a short time, lead to the opening up of the interior for settlement. Generally, the behaviour of the Native people has been loyal and peaceful. Very great progress. has been made m the acquisition of Native lands as public estate, especially m localities through which the proposed trunk linos of railway m the North Island are likely to pass. It will be gratifying to you to learn that the revenue received under nearly all heads has amounted to about £190,000, under the head of Land Revenue, a large deficiency has occurred but it must be borne m mind, that whilst a deficiency of the Customs Revenue or of auy revenue of that character would be aloss to the Colony which could never be replaced, a falling off of Land Revenue practically means only that so much le3B Crown Land than was calculated on has been Bold during the period m question. The Crown Lands, which is the capital of the Country, still remains for sale, and can be sold when the progress of settlement will give it an enhanced, value. The policy which yon sanctioned last year of reserving Crown Land from sale m districts through which railways are m course of formation until their construction is complete, will necessarily and the value to the process which may be anticipated from the sale of such lands. The falling off m the sale of Crown Land during the year may be attributed m part to the commercial depression which has prevailed through the world ; fortunately less m New Zealand than elsewhere, but ohiefly to the postponement of the sale of confiscated lands. The probable .continuance during the current financial year of a decreased Land Revenue renders it requisite m the opinion of my Government to impose fresh taxation to get the requirements 'of the colony. In accordance with the j principle of equalizing the inoidence of taxation, measures will be presented to you for imposing a tax on income. One result of that tax will be that so soon as the finances of the country admit of it being done, the Legislature can lessen and ultimately abolish all duties which now press heavily on the necessaries of life and the springs of industry. Those railways which, under the authority of Parliament, have been completed between large centres of population, are now yielding a yearly revenue which not only meets the charge of their maintenance, but pays a large proportion of the interest on the cost of their construction. The estimated gross revenue of these railways for the current year is £950,000. They have given a greatly enhanced value to property throughout the colony, and have materially promoted the development of its resources. Encouraged by this experience, the Government propose to proceed rigorously with the construction of these lines which have been, and may hereafter be, authorised by Parliament, the completion of which wilt be of great advantage to the entire community, aud for that purpose a measure will be submitted to, authorising an additional loan of £500,000 to be raised. The estimates will be laid before you have been prepared with ajcaref ul regard for economy. Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : — My advisers are of opinion that the present system of county local self-Go-vernment should be placed on a better footing, and that this should be done without impairing the self-governing powers possessed by Road Boards and Municipalities. A Bill will therefore be submitted to you, -for enabling County Cuncils to raise, under certain conditions, and subject' to the assent of the ratepayers' loans for Public Works such as can now be raised by Municipalities. The Bill will contain provisions intended to encourage the union of two or more counties for executing such works, but it will not be sought to withhold the powers from any County standing alone, provided the various conditions are complied with. It would be manifestly impossible for the Government to present, during this session, measures which would effect m their entirety all the objects which have been indicated. Nevertheless the raeasureswhich will be proposed are all m the direction which my advisers believe to be consistent with the wishes of the country. To be among other important Bills submitted to you is a bill to suspend plurality of voting m cases of election to local-governing bodies, whilst more bodies are subsidised out of the general revenue of the colony. A Bill for the better management and the maintenance of Hospitals and charitable Institutions, and a Bill to regulate the immigration of Chinese m accordance with the intention stated m my predecessors speech i last session. A Royal Commission has been appointed to inquire into the subject of Higher Education. I

1 am confident that your careful attention will be bestowed on all measures which may be brought before you m the interests of the whole colony. I desire to unite cordially with you m carrying put the wishes of our most Gracious Sovereign for the welfare and happiness of Her Majesty's subjects of both races m New Zealand, and I hntnbly express my hope that Divine Providence may bless our endeavors to attain those beneficient ends.