OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 213, 16 July 1879, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. [by telegraph.] Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives—lt is a great pleasure to me, so shortly after my assumption of the Government of this colony, to meet the Legislature, Legislative Council, and the Representatives of New Zealand in Parliament assembled. During the limited time which has elapsed since "my arrival, I have endeavored, so far as possible, to make myself acquainted with the capabilities and requirements of the country, and to gain by personal intercourse a knowledge of its public men and of the various communities spread throughout its wide extent. The first impressions which I have formed are very favorable. I have been much gratified by the cordial and loyal reception which has everywhere been accorded to me as Her Majesty's

representative, and i have not failed to note with adiniratien the extent and variety of the resources of the count.iy, and the industry and enterprise which are developing them with such marvellous rapidity. _ I gladly avail myself of this oppoi tunity to express to you, as representing both races of the people of New Zealand, my grateful acknowledgements for the welcome which lias been extended tome, and to offer my congratulations upon the fair, healthy, and fertile country which Providence has given to you as an inheritance. My responsible advisers fully recognise the desire that exists for the enactment of measures which will secure a more equal representation of the people, for a more frequent return of members to their constituents for re-elcc- ' tion, for an equable distribution of the '< burdens of taxation, and for a mode more ' just and judicious of dealing with public i lands and with those belonging to the '• natives. Asa first step towards giving "i effect to these desires, the following mea- f sures will, amongst others, be laid before i you A bill to amend the law relating to 1 electors qualified to vote at the election of i members of the House of Representatives, 1 and a bill to make provision for the repre- } sentation of the people in the General t Assembly, These measures, if they re- \ ceive your sanction, will secure to the i colony manhood suffrage on a residential i qualification to Europeans, and will give o the franchise to men of the Native race S who are enrolled on a ratepayers' roll, or I who hold individual or undivided grants e from the Crown of land to a certain value, n The effect of the measures will also be to b

adjust representation rs far as possible on the basis of population, and to limit the f\ro',lion of'futare Parliaments to three years. A measure will also bo submitted to vou providing that in future Native reserve lands shall be dealt with only by public auction or public tender, thereby abolishing the present monopoly of dealing in such lands, securing the best price for the native owners, and giving to everyone an opportunity of competing for sales or leases, It is also under consideration how far this principle of public auction might be fairly and beneficially applied to such native lands as now remain unsurveyed, or the titles which have not yet been investigated by the Courts, The disposal of such lands with the consent of the native owners under the existing land laws of the colony would greatly promote the increase of settlement, while at the same time it would secure to the native owners the full value of their estates. Inquiries are now being made to ascertain the opinions of the natives generally, and if acceptable to them a bill for this purpose will be laid before you, The fanaticism which has prevailed en the West Coast of this Island for some years past has, during the recess, assumed a somewhat alarming appearance. The necessary steps have been taken to secure the peace of the district, and it is possible that a peaceable solution of the difficulty will be found. Papers in reference to this matter will be laid before you. The negotiations with the Waikato natives have been suspended, and all offers of settlement have been ■withdrawn, so that any future negotiations must be commenced on' a new basis. The behaviour of Tawhiao and his people continues friendly and peaceful, and my advisers have good reason to believe that these relations will be maintained ; at the «amo time the well-known chief Rewi has given further important proofs of his loyalty and good faith. The attitude taken by him affords a guarantee for the continuance of peace, and the maintenance of this would in a short time lead to the opening up of the interior for settlement.' Generally the behaviour of the native people has been loyal and peaceful, Very great progress has been made in the acquisition of Native lands as public estate, especially in localities through which the proposed trunk lines of railway in the North Island are likely to pass. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives—lt will be gratifying to you to learn that the revenue received under nearly all heads during the past year has exceeded the estimated amount, the excess under such heads having amounted to about L 199,000. Under the head of Land Revenue a large deficiency has occurred, but it must be borne in mind that whilst a deficiency of the Customs Revenue, or of any revenue of that character, would be an absolute loss to the colony which could never be replaced, a falling off of land revenue practically means only that so much less Crown land than was calculated on has been sold duirng the period in question. The Crown land, which is the only capital of the country, still remains for sale, and can be sold when the progress of settlement will give it enhanced value. The policy which you sanctioned last year of reserving of Crown Lands from sale in district's through which railways are in course of formation until their construction is complete will necessarily add to to the value of the proceeds which may be attributed in part to the commercial depression which has prevailed throughout the whole world fortunately less in New Zealand than elsewhere, but chiefly to the postponement of the sale of the confiscated lands. The probable continuance during the financial year of a decreased land revenue renders it requisite in the opinion of my Government to imppose fresh taxation to meet the requirements of the colony. In accordance with the principle of equalising the incidence of taxation a measure will be presented to you for imposing a tax 011 income. One result of this tax will be that so soon of the finances of the Country admit of it being done the Legislature can lessen and ultimately abolish all duties which now press heavily on the necessaries of life and the springs of industry, The railway which under the authority of Parliament have been completed between large centres of population are now yielding a yearly revenue, which not' only meets the charge of their maintenance but pays a large proportion of the interest on the cost of their Construction. The The estimated gross revenue of these railways for the current year is £950,000 j.hey have give a greatly enhanced value to property throughout the Colony and have materially promoted the devolopement of its resources. Encouraged by this experience the Government propose to proceed vigorously with the construotion of those lines which have already been, or may be hereafter authorised by Parliament, the comption of which will be of great adventage to the entire community and for that purpose a measure will be submitted to your authorising an additional loan of £5,000,000 to be raised estimates which will be laid before you have been prepared with a careful regard for economy. Honorable Legislative Councillors and gentlemen of the House of Representatives. My advisers are of opinion that the present system oi County Local self-government should be placed 011 a better footing, and that this should be done without impairing the self-govern-ing powers posssessed by Road Boards and Municipalities. A bill will therefore

be submitted to you for enabling County Councils to raise under cortain conditions and snbject to the assent of the ratepayers leans fo.i public works, such as now can be raised by Municipalities. The bill mil contain provisions intended to encourage the union of two or more Comities for executing such works, lrat it will not be sought to withhold the powers from any County standing alone provided the various Counties are complied jwith, It would be manifestly impossible for the Government to present during this session measures which would effect in their entirety all the objects which have heen indicated, nevertheless the measures which will be proposed are all in the direction which my advisers to be contented with the wishes of the County. Amongst other important bills to be submitted to you are a bill to suspend plurality of vating in cases of election and local governing bodies, whilst those bodies are subsidised out of the general revenue of the colony. A bill for the better manage- ] ment and the maintenance of Hospitals and Ghairtable Institutions, and a Bill to ; regulate the immigration of Chinese. In accordance with the intention stated by my predecessor last session a Royal Commission has been appointed to inquire into the subject of Higher Education, Papers on the subject will be laid before ('ou. lam confident that your careful at;ention will be bestowed on all measures ivhicli may be brought before you in the nterest of the whole Colony. I desire to mite cordially with you in carrying )ut the wishes of our most Gracious ( joverign for the welfare and happiness of )oth races in New Zealand, and I humbly i spress my hope that Divine Providence t nay bless our endeavors to attain those ii uneficent ends, B