PROROGATES" OF THE NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Colonist, Volume XII, Issue 1160, 6 November 1868, Page 6

PROROGATES" OF THE NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

His Excellency the Governor prorogued Parliament on Oct. 20ib, at two o'clock in the afternoon, when he delivered the following speech : — Honourable Legislative Councillors, and GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF RePBESENTATIVES — I am happy to be able to release you from your labours, and to thank you for the patient attention which you have given to the business of tho country during the long and laborious session now about to close. Much of your time has been occupied by discussions originating in your anxiety for the peace of the country, and I hope that these discussions may not hare altogether failed of good results by enlightening the country on tbe important question of the rotations between the European and Maori races. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives— I thank you for tho supplies which you have granted for the public service of the present year, and for tho provision you hare made to meet the special circumstances arising out of the unhappy disturbances in a portion of the Northern Island. I assure you that due diligence and economy will be observed in administering these supplies. The financial reform to which your attention has been invited, has not yet been perfected. But the advantages of (he proposal have been so generally recognized as a necessary preliminary to the reduction of taxation, that its adoption ia only deferred for a short time. Honourable Gektlemen, and Gentlemen — The development of the important gold-fields in the Province of Auckland will promote the prosperity of the country, by opening out new fields for industry. I have assented with pleasure to many valuable measures which you have passed for improving and consolidating the law on social subjects, thereby conducing to the material progress of tho country. The numerous petitions from inhabitants of outlying districts of the colony which havebcen addressed to the General Assembly during the present session, praying in one form or another for increased power in matters of local concern, indicate the existence of a wide spread feeling of dissatisfaction with tho working of local institutions, and leave no doubt of the necessity for an improved system of local government as the most effective means of removing discontent and disunion amongst important sections of the population, and of preserving the unity of New Zealand.

I have transmitted to the Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies the resolutions passed by both Houses, praying that the departure of the hist Imperial Regiment from the colony may be delayed, and 1 have removed the two companies lately quartered in this city to the town of Wanganui, where their presence will give confidence to the Friendly Natives, and disabuse those hostile to her Majesty's authority of the idea that the countenance and support of the Queen would be withdrawn from the colonists.

1 linve every confidence that Hie efforts mid courage of the Colonial Forces, including many Friendly Natives, will shorten the period of trouble in the disturbed districts, will allay any misapprehension which may arise amongst the peaceful population, and repel all aggressions of fanatical tribes; and I pray that by God's blessing, peace, order, and the authority of the law may be secured to the people of New Zealand.