OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1832, 14 May 1886, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

The session of Parliament was opened yesterday with the usual formalities, and a report of “ the speech from the Throne ” will be found in another column. What the session will bring forth it is bard to say. It is thought that the Government and the Opposition each possess about the same number of supporters, which is rather an awkward position of affairs in the event of a conflict taking place. It does not seem probable at present that any immediate attack will be made upon the Government, as many members wish to learn what are their financial proposals, before taking any decisive action. The Financial Statement will be delivered early in the session—pos* sibly about the 25th lost. Meantime the debate on “ the address in reply " is the first business to be got through.

TAB GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

The third Session of the ninth Parlia-

ment of New Zealaud was opened with the customary formalities ot 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. His Excellency delivered the following speech

Honourable Gentlemen of the Leois lativk Council, and Gentlemen of th: House of Repbesentativeb. It affords me much pleasure to meet yoi thus early in Parliament assembled. The year which is now passing will b memorable through out the British domi minions as that on which our Qraoiom Sovereign enters on the fiftieth year ot bei reigu. You will, I feel assured, desire ti prove that the subjects of this the mos distant portion of Her Majesty'a possession! share equally with her Majesty’s subjects ii other parts of the world the highest apprecia tion of the great results of her long anc beneficent reign. Ton will be asked to con aider the most suitable way of showing, or behalf of the people of New Zealand, theii affection and duty to the person of the Sovereign, their love and loyalty to the Crown, their sense of gratification at belong ing to a realm enjoying a sway so benignant, and their desire to see the bonds which unite every portion of her Majesty’s vast Empire confirmed and strengthened. It is particularly appropriate to such a year that I am able to announce to you that, in the opinion of my Ministers, there has never been a time when the relations between her Majesty’s European and Maori subjects have been of so friebdly a character. The Maoris are evincing an intelligent interest in colonising open: nous, aud a cordial recognition of the laws of the colony. They show this excellent disposition by the readiness with which they are seeking Crown titles for large areas of country through which the Northern Trunk Railway will pass, and by their willingness to part with laud to the Government for the purposes of settlement along that line of railway. Negotiations lor such lands are in the opinion of my Advisers, proceeding satisfactorily, and with due regard to the necessity of a sufficient quantity being retained by the Maoris for their own use. Yoq will be asked to amend the laws relating to the disposal of Native Lands in the direction which appears to my Ministers best adapted to do justice to the Maori owners and to hasten the occupation and settlement of the country. Public works have been proceeded with as rapidly as the means placed at the proposal vd the • Government permitted. Proposals will be laid before you fox continuing railways and other public works on a scale consistent wiih the oiroamstanoes of the colony, and in the manner meet calculated (o secure soand economical results.

New Zealand w su&i iug from tbe depreestou that appears to prevail throagbout the world, but »bkh la affecting this 001007 much l«a« than other countries because of ii» great resources. My advieara are of opinion that this deprassion, rather than temiiug to discourage the energies of tbe people, should lead them to additional eur* nous, sod 'hat if, concurrently with The progress of railways, abundant opportunity bo offered to settlers (0 occupy and oultirate laud in farms of reasonable aw, fWBMn

I from other countries will be attracted totfa* I colony and materia l? aid in its progress. In calling your attention to the gracious compliment which Hir Majesty paid to all the Colonies and India by opening the Exhibition devoted to their products, and to the gratitude the Colonies and India owe to Hie Royal Highness the Prince of Wales hr the untiring exertions which have led to too success of the Exhibition. I am gl«d to be able to say that my Minieters have used their utmost endeavors to secure lor tout colony an adequate representation.

Gentlemen or the IlonsE or REVEESENii TtVES.

The Estimates of revenue and expenditure for the current year will be laid before you. My advisers fully recognise the importance of keeping down the expenditure to the lowest limit consistent with meeting the requirements of the public service and the wants of the country. The finances of the colony are in a sound condition, and gratifying progress is being made with the conversion of the loans. The San Francisco Mail Service has been reestablished at a cost within the authority which you gave by resolution. It is gratifying that the contract should been taken by a New Zealand company oa behalf of itself and a powerful American steamship organization. It is equally gratifying that New South Wales joins in the arrangement, and that assistance is received from the Government of the United States.

HoKOC&XBLE GENTLEMEN OF THE IiEOISLi

tive Council, ud Gentlemen or the House or BEPBEsaNTSTrvEs,—

Whilst giving attention to tbs undertaking* which it is desirable the colony sbonld carry ont, it ie not to be forgotten that the works constructed by local bodies are of essential importance towards promoting and extending the settlement of the lands. A measure will be placed before yon dealing with the finance of local bodies, and enlarging their power of of directly managing their own affairs. My Ministers view with satisfaction the disposition which is being sbawn to develop the local resources of the colony, including those of the mines, the forests, and the fisheries. It is of infinite importance to recognise and take advantage of the natural wealth of New Zealand, and to encourage the prosecution of indnstries of a varied character. My Advisers place great faith in the operation of a policy which embraces the points of— Prosecuting local industries, and thru affording abundant occupation to the population ; Promoting settlement by ‘liberal land laws; Constructing railways with a view to opening the country, aiding the progress of settlement, and speedily securing satisfactory economical results. Placing local bodies in a position to open roads, and do other useful work ;

Giving the mining population liberal facilities ; and the

Establishment of friendly relations with the Maoris.

The arrangement for the construction of the Midland Railway, under authority conceded by the Parliament, is, in the opinion of my Advisers, a matter of hearty rejoicing. Some points of a not material nature wUI have to be submitted for the ratification of Parliament.

The attention of my Ministers has been constantly directed to questions relating In the South Sea Islands. Whilst recognising the important interest New Zealand baa in these matters, they have carefully avoided exceeding the authority with which Parliamenl has endowed them. Papers on the subject will be presented. Bills will be submitted to yon to consolidate the laws relating to crimes, to municipalities, to volunteers, and to mines, to establish a parcels-post system, and to amend the Charitable Aid and Hopitals Act. I commend to yonr attention the business that will come before yon, and earnestly hope that your labors will, nnder the blessing of Ood, be attended with good to the colony.

Upon the House assembling at the conclusion of the Governor’s Speech, a number of petitions were presented by different members.

Dr. Newman gave notice that on Tuesday next he would ask the Minister for Public Works if he will arrange that in future all carriages and trucks for the Wellington and Master ton Railway shall be Jconstructed at the Petone Workshops. The House adjourned until Tuesday next.