THE Thames Advertiser. Favour to none; fear of none; Justice to all. SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 1896. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8454, 13 June 1896, Page 2

THE Thames Advertiser. Favour to none; fear of none; Justice to all. SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 1896. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Pkmiafs the most striking thing in tho Governor's speech is its abnormal length. Apart from the forccastc of the Government policy, which even is nut altogether now, the document cannut be said to be interesting reading. His Kxoclloiicy's movements during the recess have been duly chronicled with much elaborateness from time to time, the changes in the Ministry is a mutter of past comment, and so on mostly throughout the piece. We cannot see this resume is of much use. We are growing weary of these ancient methods full of formality, and it would be well if the opening of Parliament wis attended by procedures more in keeping with the spirit of the age, In what way, wc wonder, does the flourish of trumpets, the sound of cannon, or even the reading of wortiout platitudes do to advance the business of the country 1 We could say much as to the absurd formalities that [are, practised altogether in connection with the proceedings of Parliament, ! but our purpose just now is to gather I what we can from the inspired utterances given in the <( Speech from the | Throne." We have to read half way ! through the prepared document before Iwe meet with anything interesting at a]], but what then attracts our attention is startling even in its absurd\vm. Note tlio paragraph (the italics .are ours)! "The great mineral wealth of our colony is attracting the attention of capitalists in many parts of the wiirld, ami with mainly of (enure find capital expended in legitimate prospooling and development of our mines, there is every reason to believe that the goldmimng industry of New Zealand will increase in importance, besides affording relief to the labor market by drawing off a considerable number of men to remunerative employment." We need to pause find think. Is there security of tenure! Ask the Tairua licensees, and wo think the reply will be that if threats of cancellation of license go for anything the very words are nothing short of satire. In truth, we know then; is the very reverse of security of tenure, and wc almost wonder at the effrontery of the Government in using the term. The next point in the speech is in reference- to the settlement of the land. We gather it is proposed to alter the law somewhat so that duimuyism as it occurred in connection with the] Ardgowan and other estates cannot again take place. Wo will heartily welcome tin; amendment. There in some gushing over the benefits

given lo the. colony by tlm Advances to Settlers' Act, and also with regard lo the Hteps taken by the Government to foster agricultural and other industries, and in that connection wo are glad lo notice everything possible will bo done to push the Jinx industry ahead; Wo think it a vciy good suggestion which the Trades Council of Wellington has | taken tip that an export should bo sent abroad to pick up what wrinkles he can and in fact do everything possible to put the trade in flax on a profitable ba»;is. With lliojlnn. MrHcddan's great idea of aci|iiiring control of some of the outlying islands we wore not at all surprised to see the reference to Norfolk Island. The correspondence with the .Imperial authorities in connection therewith should be of some interest'. The most important part of the speech is its {latter part, whore We have the proposed measures for the session. Alien restriction is wanted, trade reciprocity in a wide hoiisc is essential to our prosperity, and a Jiill on good lines would no doubt be agreed to, The people of the colony will no doubt be surprised to see that further hanking legislation is required and unless the MojKwidtj lire only by way strictly of

removing defects in previous' measures, there will be a good deal of irritation, felt. However, it cannot be that the j colony will bo rcijuired to lake over ;v further' liability. Hating on nnim- 1 proved values is just, and a measuro keeping the rates of interest within due bounds may prove of benefit. There are numerous other proposals, chief of which are Hills dealing with prospecting for gold and the ceding of I land by the natives for mining |U"pos(f, {workmen's villages, Stale labor farms, wages protection, private benefit societies, limiting the hours of labor,old age pensions, the referendum, local govornment,fireinsuranco, special juries, master and apprentices, fair rent, Government valuation of land, advances to settlers, alcoholic sale control, electoral qualification and a Hill to secure the representation of majorities, Many of these tho Premier had announced would be brought forward; it will he useless to deal with them in detail until we see the full proposals. On the whole the speech is of little practical value as it stands; if length is'rercijuircd it would have been far better to have dilated on the matters to come and not with the chronicles of the past.