THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Southland Times, Issue 19087, 1 July 1903, Page 3

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

(By Telegraph.)

Wellington, Tuesday, 30th June

Parliament was foilmally opened to-day by Lord Kanfurly, when his Excellency was p.leased to make the following speech >-—

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN OF T-l-IL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND GENTLEMEN OF T/HfE HOISK OlREPRESENTATI VES — 'When I last addressed yon the intelligence of his Majesty's illinss cast a gloom over our proceedings. Thanks to AlmightY CrOd, his Majesty's health has been restored, an-d the Coronation ceremonies took place on the sth August last amid the general und enthusiastic reioicing of his loyal and devoted subjects throughout our vast Empire. When delivering my first speech on the opening Of Parliament, I expressed the assurance that ' with careful administration and reasonable opportunities this colony had a great future before it ; that I would visit, the different parts of the colony and obtain a personal knowledge of the richness of the soil and note the industries and commercial enterprises, and the richness and extent of the mineral deposit*. During my stay with you I have visited almost each and every part of this great and beautiful colony, and the favourable impressions first fon.ined have been fully confirmed. I am proud to say that the prosperity I so tuuch admired on my arrival on" your hospitable shores has continued, and I feel assured that the colony of New Zealand is one of t utmost' flourishing within the great British Umpire. On the 10th day of August next my original term of office expires My advisers, however, expressed the desire that I should remain for a longer period, and, believing it to be consonant with the general wish. I consented, and his Gracious Majesty prolonged my te m of office. The people of New Zealand ha/ye extended to me that loyal friendship, that was to be expecued from a colony so deeply imbued with devotion to their sovereign and attachment to then Empire, and I have everywhere me', witn th& wannest and most enthusiastic welcome in j»y travels throughout their boundaries. Ere another session opens I shall be far away, and shall have sobered mv connection with .your colony. You may, however, rest assured that every effort will bo exerted by me to promote the welfare of a country to which I have became so deeply attached, to draw attention to New Zealand's position and jn-ogreas, and to explain to the best of my ability the causes which have led in so marked a degree to the general prosperity and happiness undoubtedly now existing within these shores. New Zealand, together with other oversea dominions within the , Empire, was invited to be represented at the .Coronation ceremonies and the Colonial Conference, and in my principal adviser, the Ut. Hon Mr Seddon, New Zealand, was fittingly .represented. The resolutions passed at the Conference aftd the recommendations made are far-reaching in elYect, end ha'.'e attracted considerable attention, and will -in due course be submitted to you. It will be known to hon. members that the coastwise laws of other nations have proved inimical to the commerce and shipping of this colony and to the trade of the United Kingdom, My advisers are of opinion that the time should not be far distant 'when our land should be brought into line, in lhi9 respect, with those of the nations whose laws are prejudicial tb New Zealand and the Mother Country. The Buypi re-girdling ' British-owned Pacific cable is completed. and the almost lightning-like rapidity with, which .messages have been despalch- ,. Ed .and received establishes its efneacy With proper energy and due regard paid to obtaining business on the part .of the » Board, the estimated revenue should l>c realised. The proposal of the Australian Conwnonwealth Government to grant by agreement concessions favourable to the Eastern Extension Telegraph Co. my Ministers consider regrettable, and fear the result will prove inimical fmanciallj to the Pacific Cable. 'Jlie Judicial Committee of the English Privy Council^ in delivering judgment in the Porirua Trust case, Wallis and others versus the Solici-tor-General, cast aspersions on the N.Z j l Courts, to which a formal protest and complete refutation was made by the Chief Justice and other Judges, it is sincerely hoped, in the interests of justice and the- Highest Courts of the Kim-' V pire, that the unmerited and uncalled-foi departure of. the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council rmay never occurr again. My Ministers are of the opinibu that an amendment, in the constitution of the v Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is imperative* and that unless a satisfactory change is made confidence in that great control tribunal of the Empire within the colonies, be shaken. I am pleased to inform you that the greatest good-feeing exists with the Maori race, and that afa,huta Tawhiao Potatau Te Wher'eo Wheren lias baan called to the: Legislative Council and appointed a member of the Executive Council. The estrangement of several of , the Maori tribes, which has too long existed, is now- closed, and Mahuta's influence will be Of value to the colony, especially in • the early settlement of the Maori lands. The Maori Lands and Sanitary Councils are working satisfactorily, and evidence " is daily being given that the Maoris have a complete knowledge of what is necessary to ediacate, improve, antl preserve their race. Whilst being pleased with the great and increased productiveness "of the colony, which close settlement has materially assisted, my advisers consider that settlement can be largely augmented provided adequate means are available to road Crown lands. This class of road construction should be permanent, seeing that the expenditure on such roads is but of borrowed money. 1 havo to congratulate you upon the very satisfactory, development of the agricultural and pastoral industries, and on the land set T tlement system generally. Several de- ,■' fecte in the uand for Settlements Act required to be considered, and the law providing for the acquiring of land for poor men's homes is practically a dead letter, -and requires amendment. The large increase of the nimount of capital invested; as well as the increased number of persons employed, in manufacturing pursuits warrants my saying that satis- . factory progress has been made, and the outlook is very cheering. The largelyincreased output of gojd and coal also proves that the mining -industry id in a flourishing condition. The excels of arrivals over departures gave the colony a ' large increase in population last \ear. i .'' The low birth-rate In some urban parts of the colony is, however, a matter to: -grave coticern. Largely-increased popuia- "■ tion is needed, and my Ministers are of opinion that if immigrants of the farm- i ing class of the United Kingdom were to come here, instead of swelling the * population of alien countries, it would be fto their advantage and to the oeneht of the colony, and add stability to the Empire. The Hon. Wm. Campbell Walter, C.'M.G.. has, after nearly seven years' faithful service, resigned the portfolio of ..Education, and his- position as a member of the Executive .Council, and the Hon. Albert Pitt has been appointed Attorney-General and a member of the Executive Council. ' GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF liEPRESENT/ATIVES.— The Estimates have been carefully con- . sidered, and, consistently with providing for efficient service, strict regard for economy has been observ;ed. With an increased ..population, extension of dspartmfints, . and development of resources. there must necessarily be an expanding coat. The estimated increase in the expenditure is proportionate to the estimated revenue. The owners of large areas of land resident outside the colony an; not taxed through the Customs, and seeing the aggregation of large estates continues, my Ministers conclude there will . not be any serious objection to increasing Hhe present absentee tax. '1 he graduation of the Land Tax, as now assessed uritier the existing law, a.lso requires ad- ' justriient to make it fair in its incidence. " You 'will be invited to enter into an agreement mnder sW.hich the New Zealand and Australian squadron is to lift strengthened,- and under which New Zealand offieens and men 'are to be trained under favourable, conditions. To enable >i reti- ' sonublo' preference to, be given in fa you r of certairu-goods produced in the Mother 1 Country; important^ fiscal changes are necessary— how and in what manner they •should be made it wifl be for., you to consider and to. determine, paying due regard to our own lndusvies. 'I he. lines adopted by Canada would best help Bri- ; rtish manufactures, without causing undue irritation to other nations. HONOURABLE GBNTLBMKN OF THE '™£E&rai|AT.lVE COUNCIL AND ■'■-■-■'; GI^NTLEMfSN OP THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,— TJuring the recent general elections several defects were found in our electoral system; and my advisers are of opinion ' that it would be consonant with demo- - cratic principle 'if the now-existing wo B,a.iy ivas removed, and single electorates alone obtained. The wisdom of «""!" t ;"P' alone obtained- The -Risdom of "^ ' f by way of subsidy to -steamers the placing of our 'produce in South Africa has & Clearly dermmsffatcd by the stupendous growth of trade w,itb that counto. Stock from Argentina being prohibited owrnc to disese, further extension and development- of the trade may /^^ bo .expected./ and for some years to come South Africa .will be a good market for the staple products of New Zcala 1 Further, my Ministers consider it would be to the advantage of the colony shoud the sale of New Zealand meat be ed to the manufacturing centres of tue ,!-„ United Kingdom, and .assistance to tnis .' end. should be rendered. Satisfactory ptogress in the placing of the people on waste lands of the Crown has been made during tho year. A large area of hum v, now open for selection. In respect to bush lands, proposals will be submitte.i allowing tenants to be rent free for a time, and other conditions -which, owing to the want of proper communications. . are now restricted will be" relaxed, opeoial efforts arc being made to settle cooperative men and returned troopers on land. During the year a large area ol laind has been acquired under the Land for Settlements Act. The demand is unabated, a'lid should be .met. The sons <>{ farmers in one part of the colony should tidt be compelled to leave their homes to- settle" elsewhere while large estates

homesteads. The defence forces are in much improved condi'ion. The number is maintained and fair discipline observed. jTlie cadet movement is very popular, J and tho training of our youths in the public a-hools and ordinary cadet corps will materially assist the volunteer movement. The ordinary defence charges will be less than last year, ami our liabilities und the permanent cost entailed by the sacrifice matte in South Africa is now I alimost ascertained. As Cue law exist*, cvmcers and troopers whose health was impaired aud who wero permanently injured otherwise than in action can neither receive pensions nor pratui! i<-s. Proposals to remedy this defect in tho law will be submitted. My Minis; ■ i---. are of opinion that a c -ita'.e Fire lns-ir a nee Department could wsih auvnnt.ago to the colony he esUt-b-Uhe'i, und t'uit I y enabling those insuring lo participate in profits, good business would ensue. Legislation assigning a |-r-.i| er | option t > (ire brigades, % and insuring tlirin ' herevenue necessary to carry on 'heir good work, my advisers deem necessary. The existence of trusts and combines If- ii-i---mical to producers, for such oigaui.sations limit, the sale to one buyer, and this tends to keep bckow the fair market value the price of products, while the consumer is injuriously allected by the selling price beiiflj raided The object for which these combines are iormen. namely, to purchase cheaply ami to sell at extortionate prices, is atiain-'d, ami trusts are enabled to obtain large profits for shareholders. My Ministers- de-em it in the best interests of the colony that, in respect to the housinp, food and clothing of the people, legislat ion should be passed insuring fair competition The guurantee given by the colony to the Hank of N'cnv Zealand expires by Mllitxion of time next year, and it will be necessary fi«i- lr-irislulion respecting this iflieilion to ho passed this session. Proposals in respect to this and the issue of bunk notes will bo submitted The hospitals for mental diseases are. in the opinion of my Ministers, unfitted for the aged and infirm. The condition of thinps now existing in this respct is worthy of investigation. The erection of the industrial school buildirg at Levin will soon be finished, and complete classification of children in Covern'inent Industrial Schools is advisable, and to attain that end my advisers propose to obtain additional land and erect the necessary buildings, and a well-equipped training ship for boys win also help to solve a dillicult pruhtoiii Measures providing lor the direct reference to tlie people of issues on large questions, (or dealing with shops and indices, conuneiisation lor accidents, arbitration naul conciliation, for improving present system of land valuation, for extension of rating on unimproved value of land, for improving ;>osition of civil servants and school teachers, and for amending the law and system of weights and measures ivill. with other matters, be submitted in due course Next year there is» to be a grfat exposition tit St. Louis. IS. A., and New Zealand has been cordially invited by the United States to exhibit its prcdurts thereat My Ministers consider that good would result therefrom, ami further that an exhibition ut no uista-.t date on an extensive scale in New Zealand would be to the advantage of agriculture, commerce, and the industries oi the colony.

1 fervently tniHt you may strenuously perform your arduous duties, so thai. with tho blessing of God Almighty; the result may be to the advantage of New Zealand and promote the happiness and well-being of its people.