OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7653, 11 June 1896, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

HIS EXCELLENCY'S SPEECH.

[Herald Special Reporter.] Wellington, to-day. The weather was fine this afternoon for the opening of Parliament, which attracted the usual crowd of sightseers, the Legislative Council Chamber being thronged with ladies, who were accommodated on a space railed off on the floor, as well aa in the galleries. The tasteful costumes of the ladies, together with the handsome uniforms worn by His Excellency and suite made a pleasiDg spectacle. Punctually at 230 Lord Glasgow and party arrived from Government House", and were received by a guard of honor, a peal of cannon signalling their arrival. His Excellency having taken his seat iv Mr Speaker's chair, the faithful Commons were summoned and crowded in at the far end of the chamber. All having arrived, His Excellency delivered the following address : — Hon. Gentlemen of tub Legislative Council and Gentlemen of tub House of Representatives. It affords mo very great pleasure to again meet you iv Parliament assembled, and to have recourse to your assistance and advice. During the recess Her Majesty's loyal Bubjecta in New Zealand, as in nil other pans of Her dominions, viewed with anxiety and concern the serious complications which threatened tor a short time the peace of the world. It is a matter for congratulation that war with its attendant eviU has been averted, acd the pros' ige uud honor of the Empire maintainod without recourse to arms. The whole of the forces of the colony are now armed withe the new approved weapon, the Martini-Henri. The permanent forces have been increased, and every effort has been made to make the defence efficient. The frequent presence of the admirable Australasian squadron is. also

a matter of congratulation to the colony, not only as material evidence of an ever-ready first line of defence, but as a constant reminder of onr intimate connection with Imperial interests. I was able daring the recess to visit the Bay of Islands and the romantic and historical parts of the colony north of Auckland, and was much gratified by the cordial and loyal reception everywhere given to me. In response to an invitation I, with pleasure, visited the chiefs of the Tuhoe tribe, the chiefs and the people of the Native race in what is known as the Uriwera country, and afterwards those of the Ngatimaniapoto. The loyalty expressed to Her Majesty, together with the friendly greetings and the hearty reception accorded to me personally will ever be implanted in my memory, and I am fully assured that friendly relations with these once turbulent and warlike tribes have been firmly established, and that they are now peaceful, loyal subjects. I congratulate you upon the satisfactory relations of the two races and on the general benefits arising from the recent legislation affecting native lands and Native Lands Courts. The natives in all parts of the colony have evinced a desire to have their lands opened by roads, and thus bring themselves into closer touch with civilisation, Their anxiety to have schools established in their midst shows that they are alive to what will noSVe of great moment to their children^ Sjjfc^ future. I am pleased to be able xtiWHRQ! you that the long-standing "and mucffvexed question in connection with the Wairarapa lake has been satisfactorily settled, and has been the occasion of much rejoicing. The construction of roads through the Uriwera country is making satisfactory progress, and the erection of native schools at Ruatoki, Te Whaite, and Waikaremoana wili soon be completed. During the recess several changes in the Ministry have taken place. The Hon. Sir P. Buckley having resigned his Ministerial offices and his seat in the Legislative Council, was appointed to a judgeship of the Supreme Court. I feel assured you will join with me in deploring the los 3 the colony has suffered by his death so shortly after assuming that position. Next the Hon. W. P. Reeves "endered his resignation, and was appointed Agent-General. Mr Hall-Jones has been called to the Ministry, with the office of Minister for Public Works, and the Hod. W. T. Walker and Hon. T. Thompson have been appointed Members of the Executive Council to facilitate the administration of publio affairs. They and the Hon. J. Carroll have been allotted portfolios without salary. The finances of the colony continue to be sound and afford good reasons for general satisfaction. Strict regard to economical administration in every department has been considered essential, and once more I am in a position to state that the provision made by Parliament has been more than sufficient for carrying on the public service. The publio accounts show a substantial Biirplus of revenue over expenditure, and I am glad to be able to congratulate you on the greatly improved condition of affairs, and the general prosperity of all parts of the colony. The temporary depression which prevailed some two years ago is fast passing away without any far-reaching effect, renewed hopes are being realised with every prospect) of a bright and lasting future, most of our staple products have risen in prioe, and the discernment of our agriculturists in respeot to grain growing has met) with a profitable return. The steady upward tendency in price of wool, grain, and other products is a matter of .congratulation. The unprecedented falls of snow in portions of the higher lands in Nelson, Canterbury, and Otago, by which large numbers of sheep were destroyed, was a heavy and unlooked for disaster to pastoralists and runholdera in those districts, but the loss has to some extent been lightened by measures adopted by Parliament last seßsion to remit rentals and extend terms of leases. In March last a mining disaster, unparallelled south of the equator, occurred in the Brunner mine on the Weed Coast of the Middle Island, by which the 67 miners employed therein lost their lives. An expression of her Majesty's sympathy and that of the Secretary State for the Colonies was transmitted to me by telegraph, and by Her Majesty's command, I caused it to be forwarded to the relatives of the unfortunate men. I also immediately conveyed my heartfelt sympathy with the afflicted throughout New Zealand. In other colonies the deepest sympathy has been evinced, and has assumed practical shape. The heroic work done by the rescuers at the risk of their own lives 3s deserving of ail praise, and entitles them to the respect and esteem of their follow-men throughout) the empire. I have thought it advisable to issue a Royal Commission to inquire as to the cause of the accident, and its report will be placed before you iv due course. The revival of gold mining has been most noteworthy during the past year, resulting in an increased output of gold by a quarter of a million pounds sterling over the output of the previous year. The great) mineral wealth of our colony is attracting the attention of capitalists in many parts of the world, and with security of tenure and capital expended in legitimate prospecting and development of our mines there is every reason to believe that the gold mining industry of New Zealand will increase in importance, besides affording relief to the labor market by drawing off a number of men to remunerative employment. The gold fields in Auckland province receive at present most attention, while those on the West Coast of the Middle Island are being brought into prominence, . bub there is every reason to believe that the gold deposits of Otago will shortly command the attention which their prospocts and possibilities demand. The dispute in respect to the cyanide p&tent has not been settled. " The settlement of the people on the land has progressed most satisfactorily during the year and the benefits accruing under the Land for Settlement Acthavebeen greatly appreciated. That land is being sought for by the people of the colony most eagerly is proved by the fact that for most of the sections thrown open there have been a large number of .- applicants. In respect to the method of making applications and dealing with the ' same, unforseen difficulties have arisen, and to prevent duplication and to insure a proper, class of settlers remedial provisions will require to bo made. The beneficent effect of the Government Advances to Settlers Aob - has been olearly demonstrated, and the de< crease in rates of interest previously charged has proved to be a great boon to those engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits. Every precaution has been taken to see that advanoes have not been made except upon good securities and in accordance with law. The extreme care taken in reßpect to the securities first offered doubtless limited .the ' number of loans, but it is now generally conceded that the effect has been to compel care in making applications, while the inoreasing aggregate of amounts advanced, together with the increased number of applications received weokly, leads to the belief that, on the whole, the Advances to.Settlora Department with hs new machinery will henceforward work satisfactorily. The syßtematia grading aud cool storage of our dairy produce, has proved satisfactory. Uniformity has been achieved and higher prices obtained, and with un increased number of competent) experts the Department of Agriculture hopes during the year to further improve t\^B~nt suits of dairy farming, and there is a gen^vsl belief that New Zealand butter and cheese will ere long command the highest prices in the markets of the world. Recently a conference of fruit growers was held in Wellington and was attended by experts from the other colonies and from all parts of New Zealand. Ihe results were very encouraging, and should be productive of lasting benefit to'|the fruit industry. The opinion was generally expressed that New Zealand, from the nature of. its soils, climate, and other natural . advantages was destined to be a greab fruit-growing country. The colony was congratulated for being the firsb ia Australasia to have the proceedings of the conference fully reported, and recognition was made of the advantages of this and the other colonies of publishing in the records of the colony tho valuable papers and discus* sions thereon. The improvement in the price of kauri gum has had a marked and favorable impression on that industry, and 4 those engaged therein are fairly well satis- ..J fiod with the result 3 for the year. It is matter for regret that the once flourishing and remunerative flax industry has languished during the year consequent on the unprofitable prices ruling. [The remainder of the. speech was nob to hand when we went to press.] Mr Lawry moves and Mr Meredith seconds the Address -in - Reply. Mr Arkwrigbt. moves the Address in the CounoiL