OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 106, 13 June 1885, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

"Wellington, Thursday. The second session of the ninth Parliament of New Zealand was to-day opened by the Governor. His Excellency was accompanied by Major Eccles, Mr Pennefather (Private Secretary), and Consuls Pearce, George, and Toxward.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. Hon. Gentlemen of the legislative Council and Gentlemen cf the House of Representatives — I have much pleasure in again having recourse to your assistance in Parliament assembled. The depression which was prevalent throughout the colony when you met last year shows signs of passing away. Notwithstanding the low price of wool and wheat, satisfactory evidence is apparent of renewed enterprise, and by confidence in the future progress of the colony. The loyal disposition of the Maoris, and the readiness they have displayed in aiding the construction of the Northern Trunk Railway, must be exceed ingly gratifying to you. My inisters' desfje, in dealing with the natives, is to treat them with justice and consideration, whilst at the same time the law is maintained. There are throughout the native territory many signs that the attitude of the Moaris is not only peaceful, out friendly ; tribes and hapus hitherto standing aloof frcm Europeans have shown art earnest de&ire to co-operate heartily with the Government. My advisers are of opinion that in order to avoid misunderstandings in the future, it is most important that a better mode of dealing with Native lan.ls should be devised. To accomplish this in a manner just to th( Maori owners and beneficial to the Colony, they propose to submit to you a Bill to regulate the sale and other disposition of the lands belonging to Natives, fie construction of the North Island Main Tmnk Railway, which was happily inaugurated near Kihikihi in April last, cannot fail to have a most lenefioial effect on the relations existing between the European and native races, an>l as land is provided for settlement along the line, the North Island will doubtless make great strides in permanent agricultural settlement. My Ministers have proceeded cautiously, but effectively, with t!ie prosecution of other public works, av.d they hope at no distant date that the Rail- \ way between Wellington and Napier will be finished. Rapid progress is being made in the construction of the Otago Central Railway, which when completed will open up the interior plains of that provincial district. No time was lost in making an agreement under the Easv and West Coast an 1 1 Nelson Railway Act ; my Ministers are ' in hopes that in accordance with its provisions Nelson and the West Coast will before long be connected with the East Coast of the Middle Island, and that that vast area of land, which from its nature requiies a railway to develope it, will become available for useful purposes. The gain to the colony from the opening of these lines of communication' with the West Coast, my Ministers consider will be of immense importance; whilst the utilisation of the land, of which the colony will retaiu alternate blocks, mu^fc prove of great service. You will be asked to consider whether the effective working of the railway opened for traffic could not be improved by the constitution of Boards of Commissioners, to whom would be entrusted the general management of railways — in order to enable you to deal with this subject, my Ministers will submit a Bill for your consideration. In accordance with authorities given by Parliament m 1632, and by you last session, a loan of £1,500,000 has been raised, and exceedingly satisfactory prices obtained. Papers on' the subject will be laid before you. The Industrial Exhibition in Wellington will shortly be opoued, and my