PROROGATION OF THE ASSEMBLY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 817, 18 November 1872, Page 3 (Supplement)

PROROGATION OF THE ASSEMBLY.

Wellington', October 25. The following is the speech of His Excellency the Governor at the prorogation of Parliament to-day : — honorable legislative councillors and Gentlemen of the House op Representatives. In bringing to a close this session of Parliament, I have to thank you for the care and attention you have devoted to public business, and am glad you have been able to pass so many large and important measures calculated to promote the social welfare, the commerce, and the good government of this colony. By the Public Health Act you have greatly strengthened the hands of the Government by enabling it to take needful precautions to prevent the introduction and spread of infectious diseases, while you have m the Municipal Corporations Waterworks Act; passed a measure calculated beneficially to promote the health and comfort of the inhabitants of large towns. The Drawbacks Act will afford considerable relief to the mercantile community, and remove an obstacle to the increase of that commerce with the islands of the south Pacific which this colony from its geographical position ought to be able to command. I congratulate you on having passed the Public Trustees Act ; which although somewhat novel m its features, will supply a great public requirement,andwill,ltrust, pro veof advantage to the colony. Its initiation will, during the j recess, engage the careful attention of the Ministry. The Public Works Amendment Act m which you make further provision, for carrying of a beneficent policy of colonization, shews you are determined to promote to the utmost of your ability the progress of the colony, i The provision you have made for the benefit of the West Coast of the Middle Island, is proof that you fully recognise the wants of that important district. The Railways Act makes provision for carrying out the works previously determined upon by Parliament, and although the ad- i ditional cost now sanctioned appears considerable, it is explained by including the expense of engineering and departmental work not before included, and the purchase of land, together with the extra cost of iron, and the estimated additions arising from the increased price of labor. It is especially gratifying to notice that when all these amounts are added together the average cost of railways will be only about £5090 per mile, £90 more than was originally estimated when the Public Works and Immigration proposals were first submitted to Parliament. The 764 miles of railway which you have I authorised at this rate, must largely I develop the resources of the country. Tt will now be the duty, as it will, I believe, be the aim of our Ministers, to construct these works with all the speed that the state of the labour market and other considerations will probably permit. The Tramways Act is an important supplementary measure to your railway legislation, and will, while opening up the country, at the same time provide the railways with a network of feeders to their traffic. I regret that the measure introduced by Government with a view of providing greater security to life assurance has not passed into law. I hope, however, that eventually this or some similar measure may receive the sanction of Parliament. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives. I thank you for the supplies you have granted for the public service, which shall be administered with all due care and economy. lam pleased to notice the in-

creased attention which is being devoted ' to administrative and financial questions. By the Public Revenues Act you have provided a much more efficient system of control over public moneys than previously existed, and I have Jittle doubt that the measure will prove extremely beneficial. During the recess, it is the intention of the Ministry to investigate the condition of the Civil Service, m order to decide to what extent administrative economical reforms are practicable. Honorable Legislative Councillors a> t d Gentlemen of the House of Representatives. The ' abundance of employment which exists, and the readiness with which the recently introduced immigrants have been absorbed by the labor market prove the wisdom of Parliament m recommending active measures of colonization. It will be the earnest endeavour of my Government to continue to carry out a conciliatory policy towards the Natives, which has been so successful during the last few years. I have felt great pleasure m summoning m her Majesty's name to the Legislative Council two Maori Chiefs — Mokena ELohere of the East Coast, and Wiremu Tako Ngatata of the "West Coast. In bidding you farewell I desire to congratulate you on the general and growing prosperity of the colony. The official statistics recently published by the Imperial Government, show that the New Zealand althouglv-only thirty-two years have elapsed since the beginning of colonization here is already fourth m rank and importance on the long list of the British colonies. In its public revenue, m its trade (including imports and exports), and m other elements of material progress it is now surpassed only by the Dominion of Canada, by Victoria, and by New South Wales. In may confidently be expected that through the blessing of Providence on the energy and industry of its population m developing the vast and varied mineral resources of this country, New Zealand will soon rise to still higher place among the provinces of the Empire.