GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Colonist, Volume XXX, Issue 4793, 27 April 1887, Page 3

GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

; Wellington, April 26. . The fourth" session of the 9th Parliament of New Zealand was opened this day by the Governor, when ,his Excellency was pltased to make the following speech :—•

HONOEABLB GENTLEMEN OV THE LEGISLATIVE Council and. Gentmbmen or thh Housh on Eeprbsbntatiybs— I have again to express the pleasure I feel in meeting you in Parliament assembled. You will join me in regretting that since last sersion so many members of both Houses, have been removed by the hand of death. The, loss of Mr Macandrew is widely mourned. It is unnecessary that to you who knew him so, well I should dwell on his groat qualities as a statesman and a patriot. :, ' ■ I The proper manner of celebrating the Jubi--1«8 of our most gracious Sovereign has been considered by ber Majesty, and she has i intimated thafc'the founding of an Institute that will remain a permanent exhibition of tbe wealth and industries of her wide dominions will'be most pleasing, to her, steps have been taken in England to carry this project to a successful issue, and the Colonial hate been' invited to join in this mode of celebrating her Jubilee. My ad\isers, in accordance with: the wish of hiß Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales, have asked the local bodies to invite assistance from private individuals, and it will be for you to consider whai further steps should be taken tq testify in .the way desired by our Sovereign, or in; isucb. other manner as you may approve, the love and loyalty of the people of this Colony i to-the Crown. - I

A Conference convened to disouss important subjects affecting all parts of the Empire is now being held in London. This is .the first meeting of the kind in the history of our country, and it marks a new era in the great work of colonisation. I have no doubt that, even should its. results appear to be'meagre, the very fact of such a Conference will help forward that close union of the' Empire which the citizens of a great State must desire to see maintained and developed. The more firmly the bonds of relationship between the English speaking people are drawn, together, the better., it ruuat be for every Colonial dependency of the Empire. The question of naval defence has necessarily been discussed by the delegates. lam glad to inform you that there seems every prospect of id reasonable and fair arrangement' being concluded between the Mother Country and her Colonies. A proposal has been; made, which will be duly submitted to you, by which, at a comparatively small cost to the- Colony,! the fleet in the Australasian waters will bo increased, and due provision made in time of war for tho protection of. the coasts and shipping. Perhaps, however, the most gratifying announcement that can be made in reference to this.subjept is that the.firmness of my advisers, in {urging the claims of New Zealand to be regarded to some extent 'as a distinct naval station, has been crowned with success. '. New Zealand,, subject to your approval of the proposed arrangements, is henceforth to be the head quarter* of a portion of the fleet, with a peace establishment of two vessels of war. Such a recognition of her maritime position cannot fail to be of service to her materially! and my Ministers dekire to express their sense of the generosity with which all the other Colonies supported this proposal. 80 far as the Conference has proceeded,, all may rejoice at the harmony that has characterised its proceedings, and at the evident feeling in favor of union that has been displayed by Her Majesty's subjects in all parts of the. Empire. Intimately related to naval protection is the defence of the principal ports^ which are also the chief centres of the wealth of the country.

I am glad to be abla to state that the defence works are gradually approaching completion, and that the Government ia now is a position to entrust their execution to the permanent forces of the Colony. When the forts and batteries are finished, the harbor defences of New Zealand will redound to the credit of the Colony, and will be of the utmost service to her should war unhappily arise. The cultivation of friendly feelings amcngsi the Colonies cannot be too strongly urged Th« Colony of Victoria is about to celebrate the Australian centenary by holding an International Exhibition, and you will ba aiked t« consider whether New Zealand shall be represented orumch an important occasion. A.n Exhibition of this character cannot fail to be of immense service to the Colonies in bringing before visitors from all parts of the world the products and resources of theia vast territories that only require capital and labor for their further development. The increase in the price of wool and the bountiful grain harvest that has just been reaped must have a benefioial effect on all the industries of the Colony. Though the price of agricultural produce has been low, the work of settlement has made great progress, and you will be pleased to learn that large numbers of families have been attacked to the soil during the past year under the various schemes of land settlement that are provided for in the Land Act. When the large areas that hare been recemtly acquired from Native owners on the route of the North Island main trunk railway have been made available for occupation by the construction of the line, there will no doubt be further extension of settlement in the interior of the Island, the difficulties, in the past in arranging with natives for obtaining land are daily being lessened, and the recent adjudication by the Native Land Court on some millions of acres, prove that the Maoris are awakening to the advantages to be.derived from the profitable occupation of their ian<ta. Papers will be laid before you regarding the Conference held in Sydney relating to the importation of stock in the Colonies; , < Gbntlehen or thi Housh op Bbpbksexta- . iivks— - , . Theestimattf «f the revenue for the current financial year will be brought before you at an early date. - The revenue hai been1

diminiih«J to a oonsidmbk «xt«nt t p«tl7 byth.f4lliathepri«jofgood«,»u€ partly recogniM the neoessity of limiiing the txpenst<slf|s|!ottn£tol^^ anaihav^riodoubtthatvwhtnthe flnanoitl

position and requirements of the country ire plaoed before you they will receive your most careful consideration. . ' Hoijwubm Gxhtleurh of thi Lioislativb , Council, ahd Gintusmbn or thh Hooai or Rbpebmstitivks— ' , A Representation Bill Iwill be bronght before you. Its purpose will be so to deal with the subject, that after every eensas, the representation of the Colony will be self-adjust-ing. ■ * ' • The reform of the Legislative Council has beepr frequently before Parliament, and my adviser's believe that it may bo fitly so considered when a measure for the representation of the people is being discussed. A Bill on the subject will be brought before you. The Loans to Local Bodies and Government Loans to Local Bodies Aots, which were passed by Parliament last jear, have given general satisfaction throughout the Colony. Experience, however, has shown that some amendments may be necesiary in order to more effectually carry out their provisions. These will be submitted to you.

i liyjadviseri-belieye^ihatoniofvthflf main 1 aids of the progress of i, the ; Colony Is the promotion Xof agricultural settlement.: :,Mueh hag already been done in this direction; and it; will ; jbev; for v you to; consider; "vrhetber exceptional legislation ,is •; not deiirable to establish small farm .settlementa where there are no 'Crown lands avaUable.: M^ believe that, together with agribultural and pastorall settlement, jf is -of' the utmost importance that other induetries; should be eucouraged, and you will be ; invited to consider how the object can best be aooomplished'

, The good feeling that is being exhibited by the; Maorif; towards ;ihe Government has bean evinced, in a, marked manner by the generous offer to the Colony-of the Ruapehu, ToHgariro, andNgaruahoe Mountains by the Ngatitawharetoe tribei who dosire that. a large area of land should be set aside as a National Park, '^ou wili'b* a«ked to legislate on tho subject in ordtr that effect may be; given, to their Wishes. . ] Efforts have been made to further develop the mining industries of tke Colony. The: pressing want is felt at present to be some mode of treating the rich arid varied ©tea that! are to be found in many parts of the country. It is hoped that riew methods will be applied which \will turn to account the valuable: mineral resources of the goldfieldg that »re now left unproductive.' The question as to the assistance thAt can be properly devoted to «uch a purpose will no doubt receive your close attention.

You will be askad to consider Bills provid- v ing for amendments in the Electoral Itwa,' the GoTernment lasurance Act, the Criminal: law, and tht Guardiamhip of Infants, and for the constitution of Railway Boards of Advice. Tarious other bills will be submitted for your consideration. ; f* < I commend to yonr atttntion the important; questions, that will b« brought before you, and I hope that, under the blessing of God, your labors may prove of great service to the Coloßy.' ...••■ • : ;: -v\:' ■;'' '•• •..■■•■■■-■ ■ '■■■""■. ■ '■'■ ;

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, April 26. Just before two o'clock a sharp shower , fell, and the look of the weather portended a ( repetition of last year's experience At the { ceremony of opening Parliament. Before, I however, hia Excellency arrived/the rain had ;ceased, but; the atmosphere remained thick and, cloudy. The. Permanent Militia, and Volunteer. Artillery turned out as usual to form a guard of honor arid fire a salute, but there was "no band to enliven the proceedings, and its absence was much commented on. i3ir William entered the Council Chamber attended by the Hon A. Fortesque and Captain Medley, A.D.C's, Majbr-General Whit-r more, Cols. Bayley and Butts, Major Jervois, and the French, GermjCta, and Danish Congals. There were 17 Councillors in their seats, and a,t the summons of the Clerk 59 members of the' Lower House made their appearance.' The Ministers, presentwerethe Premier, Mr Richardson, Mr Tole, and Mr Ballance* There were a large number of ladies both on the floor of the Chamber and in the galleries. The public gallery was full to overflowing, and the muster of Press representatives was unusually large. His "Excellency read the j speech in a firm, clear, voice, and as soon as iitwaaover both Houses applied themselves to brief formal business. - ,