GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1230, 21 August 1884, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Wellington, August 19. The first session of the ninth Parliament of New Zealand was this day opened by the Governor, when Ris Excellency was pleased to make the following Speech : Honorable Gentlemen op the Legislative Council and Gentlemen op the House op Representatives—

It affords me much pleasure to meet you again m Parliament assembled. I have recourse to your assistance as early as the arrangements consequent on the retirement of the late Administration have peimitted. My Advisers are of opinion that it is undesirable that the questions of abstract policy should at present be dealt with further than circumstances render imperatively necessary, and that concentrated attention should be given to many urgent matters relating to the material, economic and industrial interests of the colony. As far as time will allow, it is proposed to deal with such matters during this session. Groat importance is to bo attached to improving the industrial resources of the colony, prominant amongst which may be mentioned the mining interest, the promotion of settlement, and the advancement of local production and manufactures. It is of the first consequence that the country should possess satisfactory and sufficient industries. The subject requires very careful and comprehensive treatment, and little in such a direction can be effected througli the Customs tariff, which is already very high. The progress of the public works also demands resolute attention. It will .be necessary to consider carefully the position of those now in progress, with a view to determining how they shall be proceeded with. It cannot prove economical to construct works in a manner so slow and fragmentary as to postpone indefinitely any return from the money expended. On the other hand, the colony must bo careful to restrain the exercise of its borrowing powers within reasonable limits. My Ministers consider that a great deal of the pressure which is brought to bear on a Government to construct works in unprofitable fragments arises through the fear that if works are delayed Pat liamentary authority for them may be withdrawn, and are therefore of opinion that it would be expedient to determine that the public faith is pledged, unless under very exceptional circumstances, to the works which parliament once sanctions. If this assurance be well understood, the various districts concerned will be contented to see the work carried on in a manner compatible with early returns on the expenditure. My Ministers consider that great care should be exercised with regard to extending existing engagements. Some works already commenced require to be carried on vigorously, such, for example, as the Otago Central Railway. The small length of line required to connect Napier with Palmerston North should also receive early attention. The authority to continue the Nelson line to Round Hill should be extended to connecting Nelson with the line between the East and West Coasts of the Middle Island. The trunk system of the Island would then be very nearly completed. The line to connect the Bast and West Coasts of the Middle Island, to which I have, just referred, is of great importance. My Advisers will propose to you to endeavor in the first instance to procure its construction by aiding private enterprise. There is every reason for believing that the West Coast of the Middle Island possesses mineral resources of enormous value. Indeed, as regards coal and gold, the existence of such resources under highly remunerative conditions have been proved. The proposed railway will greatly benefit the district, but for the proper development of the capabilities of the West Coast other measures will be required while the railway works are in progress. I commend the whole subject to your earnest consideration. The completion of through railway communication between Auckland and Wellington is a colonial work of vast importance, which must bo hastened to a conclusion with the utmost possible expedition. It will be proposed to you to appoint a Select Committee to report which route it would be moat expedient to adopt. Authority will be asked to enable the State to acquire extensive blocks of land along the line of this railway. My advisers are of opinion that lands adjacent to this and other railways should beset apart for the settlement of a large,

number of families, upon conditions calculated to ensure their prosperity, the area for each family being limited. You will recognise that it is of great moment the lands in the North Island that are now held by natives should be put to productive uses as rapidly as possible, either by the natives themselves, or Europeans. It .is, therefore, very desirable that the best means of enabling the natives to dispose of their lands when they desire to do so should be adopted, but it will be useless to provide machinery for the sale or leasing of native lands unless the natives themselves are favorably inclined to make use of it. My Ministers therefore, whilst considering that the present system has moat objectionable features, propose to postpone final legislation on the subject until next session. A temporary Act may possibly be necessary, but the'object to be kept in view is to come to an understanding with the natives during the recess as to the plan which, whilst not inconsistent with the interests of the colony, will be' most likely to lead to results satisfactory to the Maori race.

Plans will be submitted to you this session, if possible, for strengthening and improving the system of local government by giving to local bodies larger duties and an assured income. Gentlemen of the House of EepresenXAirVBS — Estimates of revenue and expenditure will be laid before yon with the least possible delay. My Adviser’s’ are of opinion that the: present expenditure for departmental and other purposes may be considerably contracted. They consider it necessary to establish an. equilibrium, between expenditure and receipts. They greatly object to the present property tax, and will propose to repeal it at the earliest moment practicable. They are favorable to.an equal and moderate land tax, deducting from the value af ths land, improvements and a reasonable amount of exemption. Ths results ef such a tax should as far as possible be localised, in accordance with the proposal to strengthen local governing bodiesHonokable Gentlemen or the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Bepebsentattvss—

My Ministers consider that the present management of the colonial railways is open to much amendment. A measure will be submitted to. you to provide for Boards of Management in the Middle Island and in Auckland, subject to Parliament retaining control over the tariff of charges. Your attention will be called to the expediency of promoting trade and commercial relations with the South Sea Islands.

Amongst the measures to be bo brought before you will be Bills to improve the condition under which married women may hold property, and to incorporate and place under adequate management the Life Insurance Department, with provisions for establishing Local Boards elected by the policy-holders. I commend to your most earnest attention the large interests confided in yon, and I earnestly hope that with the blessing of God great advantage to the colony may result from the discharge of your arduous duties. , LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. MISCELLANEOUS. In the Legislative Council, after the Governor’s Speech was read various notices were given for the appointment of the usual sessional Committees, and the Council adjourned till half-past two o’clock next day. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. NEW BILLS. On the House reassembling after the Governor’s speech, Mr Shrirasbi gave notice he would introduce a Bill to amend the Licensing Act. Sir George Grey gave notice that he would introduce a Bill for abolishing plurality of voting in the election of Members for the Bouse of Representatives. Mr Barron gave notice that he would introduce a Bill to extend the hours of polling at elections for Members of the House of Representatives. ADDRESS IN REPLY. Mr J. S. Mackenzie, of Mount Ida, gave notice he would on Wednesday move an Address in Reply to the Governor's Speech. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. Sir Julius Vogel, Who was allowed to retain his seat whilst speaking, and who was he»rd indistinctly, said the step the late Government had taken in not resigning till the House met after the General Election was a very wine one, as it would have been difficult to have formed an Administration unless a large number of Members were present in Wellington, therefore the course that had been pursued was a proper one. The Speech brought down from the Throne comphrehended the policy of the Government, therefore it was not necessary for him to speak at any length on that point; hut he would leave the . policy to the Speech, which spoke for itself. On Saturday week His Excellency commissioned him to form an Administration, and on the following Saturday they were sworn, and were approved by His Excellency. It was unnecessary for him to add more than that his health would not permit of his taking the Premiership, hut had he been inclined to take that position, it would have resulted in considerable delay, as it would necessarily take up much of his time which should be devoted, to the preparation of the Financial Statement, It was not necessary for him to go further into that question. On all points of practical politics, they were agreed. The best proof of that was to be found in the fact that although they were only sworn in on Saturday, they had been able to bring down the Speech from the Throne and transact business on the Tuesday following. The hon. the Premier then moved that the House adjourn till Wednesday at 2.30 p.m., which was agreed to, and the House rose at 2.60 p.m.