Opening of Parliament.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXII, Issue 6347, 21 June 1889, Page 2

Opening of Parliament.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. (By Tklegrapii.) W bllington. last night, Tiik third session of llio tenth Parliament of New Zealand, was this day opened by tho Governor, whan His Excellency was pleased to make the following spouch lIOX. GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES— It affordse great ploasore to meet you in Parliament assambleii so soon after my assumption of tho Govornmeut of the Colony. Tins period which has elapsed since my arrival ims been too simrt to pormif of my visiting the various parts of (he oniony, so as to enable mo to take a comprehensive view of its capabilities and resources, but what I have seen has favorably impress!- During my stay iu Auckland, and "vurlaod j >mney to thi? city, and whiio I have icsided here, I have j noted with gratification the variety and extent ol the natural wealth of this Island, and the energy and iwlnnlry which have been displayed in promoting the wcrk of the Colony- I havo also boen much gratified by the cordial and loyal reception which has been given to mo, as Her Majesty's representative, at t!''u and the other places which I have visited. IMPROVED CONDITION OF COLONY It is alike my privilege and my pleasure on this, the occasion of my first meeting you, to bo able to congratulate the colony upon a much improved condition of affairs. Tho offortß which have been made to reduce tho cost of administering tho Govornmont, and to increase the public rovenno, have fortunately been successful. I am glad to be able to stato that the; reductions, in tho opinion of my Ministers, havo been effected without in any way impairing the efficiency of tho public service. While my advisers claim for you and Jor themselves a part in bringing about this result, they recogaiso that it is greatly duo to tho happy change which has been going on m tho circumstances of tho country, and the increase in the value and volume of many of its productions has mado tho task of retrenchment oasier, while it has had an effect in adding to tho revenue. There aro encouraging signs that tho improvement which has taken place will continuo. Tho higher prices which have been obtained for its chief exports;, while adding to tho capital and increasing the income of the country, aro restoring tho confidence in its resources which for a time seemed | to have been almost lost by many colonials. This is shown, not only by tlm large amount of capital expended in industries which havo boon fnunl remunerative, but in tho extent of land whijl; has been purchased from the Crown, and in tho colony from largo owners who liave subdivided their holdings into convenient aroas, and offered thorn for sale. A la-go addition has thus been mado to the land brought into useful occupation. While confidence is being restored among colonists, and a renewed vigor shown in promoting our industries. Now Zealand is coming to bo rogardod with great favor by persons outsido tho colony who are in search of u home, or of a place ef resort for recreation and health. I judge too by tho value of its securities in the London market that the colony's crodit has from month to mouth, during tho past year, steadily advancod in England, JUDICIOUS EXPENDITURE PROPOSED. My Government, while remunerative expenditure, hove recognised the advantage of a judioious outlay of money in dovolopiog the resources of the oountry as occasion required. They havo, therefore, in pursuance of the authority given by you, lot for construction auch works as they believe were likoly, either directly or indirectly, to be remunerative. Detailed .information on this subject will, belaid before you.

THE DUNEDIfi EXHIBITION.

One of the most pleasing manifestations of the increased confidence of the people in iho colony's future is furnished by the determination of lha of Otago to bold in Dnnedin an Exhibition of Industries and Fine, Arte, and by the favour' ablo response which they have received from other parts of the colony to their invitation to join in tbo uiulortakiiig, my aih is<"B regard the enterprise as one likely to have a beneficial eiEecl generally, and yen will therefore tie asked to Banctiou aii arrangement v/hiuh has been entered into by them to assist in bringing the Exhibition to a successful issue. THE RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS. During the recess u:y Government have brought into operation " The Government Railways Act, 1887." and have placed the ..always unler the management of three locally appointed officers. Aftor cirefttl inquiry my advisors came to the conclusion that it was impossible to get from abroad for the saiary which was authorised, or indoed for any salary which they were prepared to ask you to voto, a Chief Com- | missioncr in 'whom tlicy considorod they would bo justified in entrusting tho gieat powers vos:ed io that officer; while ou tho other hand their oxperionce of Mr McKcrrw pointod to his being a person well qualified to fill tho office My advisers holievc that their choice of Commissioners will be justified by the results.

SA'/E OP LANDS SATISFACTORY.

Tl o silos of public lands within the colony have boon very satisfactory, both an !o the quantity disposed of, ami the clam of persons who iiavo acquired it. Miiflli of tho land has beon taken up in small areas, and by persons who are making their honica upon it. The sales of runs which have lately talcon place show that tliero is i(icrea> -d confidence in tho groat imliißtry of v. 'ol /•cowing. My Ministors aro confident ih.it by caroful administration, and by taking advantage at Reasonable times of opportunities for opening ni> the country, New Zealand will noon bo niade to occupy that prominence at Home for a thtiving population, which her position, climate, and toaourccs fit her to attain.

HON. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE 1 OF REPRESENTATIVES— ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EX- • PENDITORE. The estimates of the revenue and ex penditiire for the current year will be brought boforo you at an early date, when t lliey will, I have no doubt, receive your v careful consideration, The estimates of 11 expenditure have been prepared with duo 1 1 regard to economy. * HON. GENTLEMEN OF TEE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES— CONSTITUTION OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. There will be laid before you for your consideration a number of Bills dealing with matters of great public interest. My advisers arc of opinion that the time has arrived when an alteration should be made in tho constitution of the Legislative Council. They regard the present mode "f appointing tor life as unsatisfactory, mid not in keeping with the rest of our Constitution. A Bill will therefore be submitted for your consideration, making alterations in these and in oilier lespects, ALTERATION IN ELECTORAL LAWS My advisors are also of opinion that tho lime has come when tho laws regulating the election of members of the House of Representative should be revised, and a oew departure taken, A Bill will bo submitted for your consideration, which will provide for a mode of election founded. 1 upon what is commonly known as the ' "Hare system;''' The Bill will also amend tho qualifications required for electors, and make new provisions as to the mode j of registration, and provide a more effective moans of ptiriiying the rolls. My advisers believe that these and tho other provisions which tho Bill contains will render it possible for the public will to be j expressed by elections, CLASSIFICATION OF CIVIL j SERVICE, f My advisers believe that unlii a measure 1 classifying the Civil Servants and provid--1 ing for their promotion aad remuneiation f upon defined principles shall have been B passed into law, the Civil Service can never bo placed upon a proper footing. They also I believe that this quostion is intimately connected with tho economical carrying on B of all public departments, and they have » therefore prepared a Bill dealing with the wholo question. " HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID, j. A subject which has been found diffioult , to deal with in all countries, that of the Jj management of hospitals and distribution of chaii. ,blo aid, has engaged much public '> attention throughout tho colony, A Bill D lias been prepared in accordance with what 0 my advisers believe to be the principles )' which have been found to ensure the relief s of deserving persons, and at the same time y avoid the danger of increasing the evil 0 which is incidental to indiscriminate aid. 1 Your careful and patient consideration wi'l B be asked for this difficult subject, y THE PROPERTY TAX. f My advisers have had the Property Tot a under their earnest consideration, Whilo e the state of the colony's finances render? it , impossible to forgo any considerable part of i the revenue derivable from thn tax, they ' recognise that some ot the provisions of the Property Assessment Aot ought to be | amended with a view to removing the objections which expe.ience ha 3 shown can 3 reasonably be made to them. There will 1 therefore be submittal to yon a Bill dealing . with the important matter, Among other 3 measures there will be presented to you for . consideration Bilk dealing wi'h the law of . copyright in New Zealam ; for consolidate 3 ing and amending the law relating to j Patents and Trade Marks; for relating the , registration of medical practitioners and J constituting a Medical Council; for improving the mode of registering transfers of j personal property; and for consolidating ' and amending the law of bankruptcy. 3 I c ■mmend all these mstters to your care- • ful consideration, and I assure you of my - earnest desire to co-operate with you in 3 your efforts to promote the welfare and r prosperity of tlie colony, and I pray that , your labors may, by the blessing of God, t conduce to the well bei 'g and happiness of its inhabitants,