The Governor's Speech.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 42, 20 June 1890, Page 2

The Governor's Speech.

We are unable to give the first part of the speech, but it only refers to His Excellency's travels through the colony and to the Exhibition and to the public celebrations. He referred to the increase in production, and a still further increase, jand in eulogistic terms of the habits of the people, also that more adequate means Avould be provided for opening up land in advance of settlement by means of roads. Then comes a reference to the defence of the colony, and

in addressing the members of the House of Representatives says:—' The estimates of expenditure have been prepared with a due regard for economy. The increased demand for school houses and other public buildings has been considered, and in the opinion of my advisers it will be necessary for at least two years to make exceptional provision for these purposes. They believe that such expenditure should be provided for out of the revenue, and votes for these purposes will be found in the Estimates. Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Councill and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.

During the year your propositions were submitted by the Government of New South Wales for holding a Conference of delegates from the various colonies of Australasia in order to consider the question of creating one Federal Government recognising the magnitude of the subjects which were to be discussed, and the importance of cultivating close and friendly relations with the other colonies, I consented to accredit the Hon Captain Russel and the Hon Sir J. Hall to attend on behalf of the colony. The meeting took place in Melbourne during the month of February, when matters of the greatest moment were discussed. The report of the proceeding will be laid before you, and you will be asked to ratify the arrangement entered into for the appointment of delegates to attend a meeting of representatives of the colonies to be held this year. Proposals were some time since submitted by the Imperial Government to my Ministers inviting the colony to enter into an arrangement" by which the rate of postage to Europe would be< reduced to 2|d per letter.' My advisers were unable to agree to these proposals, inasmuch as they would have entailed a serious loss of revenue unless charges were made in the mail systems, which they could not do without your sanction effect. You will be asked to discuss the matter and agree to a proposition; which, if adopted, will, without causing a burden to revenue, greatly reduce the cost of pdstage to the United Kingdom and other couritries. Returns will be laid before you from which you will learn that there has been during the year a large increase in all branches of traffic upon the railways, affording another evidence of a steady advance in the productive power of the colony. There are now ready for your consideration bills for consolidating and amending the law relating to the classification and registration of electors, and providing for the issue of electoral rights, dealing with the law in regard to hospitals and charitable aid, amending the Counties Act, altering and consolidating the law of bankruptcy, and providing for local government on the West Coast of the South Island, as well as other bills dealing with matters of public interest. These bills will shortly be placed before you. During the recess a commission was appointed for the purpose of considering how far the evil, which is termed " sweating," had affected New Zealand. The thanks of the country are due to the number composing this commission for the ability, industry, and care with which they conducted their enquiries, and treated the matters which were referred to them. My Government, although gratified to learn from their report that " sweating " had not fully taken root, agree with the commissioners that an amendment of the law is necessary; bills, therefore, dealing with the questions referred to in the report, and other cognate subjects, will be submitted for your consideration. I commend all these matters to your careful attention, and I assure you of my earnest desire to co-operate with you in endeavouring to further the interests of the colony. I praythat your deliberations may, by the blessing of God, promote the wellbeing of its inhabitants.