OPENING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 327, 1 June 1869, Page 3

OPENING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

+ [BT ELECTItIC TELEGBA.PH.I Wellington, This Day, 2.5 p.m. Parliament was opened by the two Commissioners appointed by his Excellency — Major Richardson and Mr Richmond. The following is the speech: — ■ f Tbe fulfilment of the promise given last session, no less than tbe disturbed state of the iountry, required recourse to your advice and assistance earlier this year than usual. That assistance you no doubt freely give, for you will recognise tbat the colony can uo longer endure those evils under which it has, with but temporary intermission, long suffered, from the determined hostility of the turbulent portion of the native race. Since the close of last session that hostility has displayed itself iv an aggravated form. Murders and other atrocities, entirely unprovoked, have been committed in cold blood on unarmed persons. Another missionary, whose life was devoted to their service, has fallen a victim. Neither age, sex, nor race, have been spared. Every means at the disposal of the colony has been employed in the prosecution of the war thus forced upon us, which had to be encountered ou both sides of the North Island at the same time. Large numbers of men have beeu raised, trained, and engaged in active operations in the field. Defensive works have been erected for the protection of places exposed to the attacks of the enemy. It will be your duty to consider how the efforts hitherto made may be sustained and strengthened. The thanks of the colony are due to Colonel Whitmore and the ofiicers and men of the Colonial Forces, both European and Native, for the conspicuous courage with which they have encountered the enemy wherever he presented himself, and for the indomitable energy and zeal with which they have tracked aud dispersed his retreating forces. These arduous and harassing duties, in the course of which they have penetrated forests and inhospitable wilds hitherto unvisited by any European force, and inaccessible lo ordinary means of transport — and the difficulties they have Burmounted have had no parallel in the military history of this country. No troops

•y; vvv .-;■'■ 'j*■ .■■ '■' ■ ■*■ ■•*.- i ■'' ' oouTd have displayed a > more gallant spirit, no officers could have conducted the campaigns with more enterprise, skill, and prudence. The great difficulty" of the country must be grappled with, and a permanent remedy applied: to a state of things which is paralyzing industry in every way, restricting the progress of the settlement of the country, and bringing disaster and ruin, which, spreading far beyond the scenes of the conflict, will be felt by all sections of the community throughout New Zealand. Such a policy demands highly organised force, embodied for a definite oeriod, and established in the best stragetical positions to be occupied in perfecting communication. Correspondence between the Governor and the Secretaries of State for the Colonies, in reference to the retention of the Imperial troops in New Zealand, especially referring to resolu tions on the subject passed by the House last session, will be laid before you. The question cannot be further pressed by the Legislature with any dignity, self-respect, or beneficial result to the people of New Zealand. A bill of a temporary character will be submitted for providing summary means of dealing with persons taken in arms against the Queen, or who may have been concerned in exceptional barbarities on the part of the rebels. The conquest of a permanent peace will require an exceptional expenditure beyond what it is advisable to levy in the shape of annual revenue, and a portion should be provided by loan. Application for the guarantee of such loan has been made to the British Government, which you will probably believe the condition of the country required. A renewal of the application justifies the hope that the last prayer of the colony to the mother country will not be rejected. The estimates of expenditure for the ensuing financial year will be laid before you. While providing for the efficiency of all services, they exhibit with the exception of requirements for defence purposes, a reduction in the expenditure of the country. The results of operations under the Consolidated Loan Act, up to the moat recent date, will be laid before you. Tou will gladly recognise that, owing to the able manner in which operations have been conducted, a considerable diminution of the annual charges on revenues is effected. She Electric Tolegraph is in course of extension to Wanganui on one side, and towards Taupo aud Auckland on the other. The cessation of active warfare will be immediately followed by the completion of the latter line to the capital and to the goldflelds in the North. These singularly rich fields continue to increase in importance, and reliable authorities prognosticate the extension of like discoveries throughout many parts of the Northern Island, which will give profitable employment to a large population. The bearing of this on the early pacification and security of the couutry is important. The approaching termination of the present Parliament calls for legislation to re-adjust the representation of the people in conformity with tbeir altered condition of several districts. Tou will be invited to consider a measure making undevised real estate distributable amongst the next of kin in the same manner as personal property. Although the Native question will largely engage your attention, other matters of public interest and importance will, doubtless, not be neglected. In the especial circumstances under which you are assembled, may the Spiritof Wisdom so guide your counsels as to promots the welfare of the people of New Zealand.