OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 117, 23 July 1875, Page 11

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

We publish to-day his Excellency the Governor's speech at the opening of the Colonial Parliament on Tuesday last. As all will be sure to read this speech, it would be a waste of time and space on our part to state here the several topics with which it deals. "We may, however, particularise two or three points, as they are of more than ordinary importance. Colonists were already aware that laßt year's revenue had exceeded the estimates ; that arrangements had been made to lay down a cable between this country and New South Wales, and that a contract, subject to the ratification of the Legislature, had been entered into for a mail to from Europe via San Francisco. It was also known that a Bill would be introduced to <lo away with the Provinces of the North Island ; and it was thought that the measure would be so framed as also to include the abolition of the Provinces of this Island. So far therefore, the announcements contained in the viceregal speech have caused no surprise to any one. All these were either* actually known or divined by the public. But there is one announcement for which we were not prepared, but which, nevertheless, gives us great satisfaction, and we feel certain it will also give great pleasure to colonists generally, and contribute in no small degree to strengthen the present Ministry. His Excellency says, "In view of the proposed constitutional changes, and of the approaching termination of the existence of the pre--sent Parliament, a readjustment of the representation of the people to meet the altered circumstances of electoral divisions has become necessary. Bills will accordingly be submitted for your consideration for amending the law .relative to the qualification of electors, and for a readjustment of the representation." This is a wise proceeding ; and we gather from it that the G-overnment does not propose to do more in the present session as to constitutional changes than discuss the Ministerial resolutions on the aubject. ; There appears to us, however, a very serious omission, it If it be deemed necessary to readjust the representation, and increase the number of votes before deciding the proposed constitutional changes, we are unable to see why the same reasons should not have induced Ministers to submit a scheme for the reformation of the Legislative Council. Should it unfortunately come to pass that this Chamber, remaining as it is at present, would reject a change or ■amendment of the Constitution passed by the House of specially selected for such purposes, the situation would be very grave indeed, and the consequences very serious. Perhaps the Council would itself take the matter in hand. To do so -would be both graceful and wise. The Iron, members of that House cannot but be aware that there is -wide-spread dissatisfaction as to its constitution ; nor can they be ignorant of the direction in which, according to- public opinion, reformation should go. It is to be hoped, therefore, they will employ the spare time which ia certain to be at their disposal for some weeks after the opening of Parliament in devising a wise reformation of themselves.. The public expects this, and will not fail, they an&y rest assured, in repaying them with the homage of their gratitude, should they.do so. Were they to do this, few .men, if any,' in New, Zealand, would be more popular, and more politically powerful than they.