1304
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[SEPT. 25

A Bill which will also claim your consideration is one which proposes to
reduce the longest period for which the House of Representatives can sit from five to
three years. This enactment will render each member more directly accountable to
his constituents than he at present is, and will secure to the electors the power of
returning members so frequently to the House of Representatives that public opinion,
which often in young countries takes a new direction from the rapidly varying
circumstances of such communities, will be fairly represented in every phase which
that opinion may assume.

But these provisions will be of comparatively little value unless the con-
stituencies are so arranged that, in as far as practicable, population in each electoral
district respectively shall be duly represented. This right was assured to the
people of New Zealand by the British Parliament, in the Act which originally
gave them a Representative Constitution. The measure on this subject which is
to be submitted to you will substantially secure a return, and an adherence for the
future, to that important principle of the Constitution Act.

These three measures are, in the opinion of my Advisers, so equitable in them-
selves, and so accordant with the spirit of modern times, that, should they become law,
there is, the Government believes, every prospect that a feeling of general contentment
would be permanently established in the Colony. The power of legislation would then
largely rest in the hands of the people of New Zealand; and it is to be hoped that
they will always maintain within its limits an equitable system of taxation, a just
administration of public lands, and a sound system of local self-government. The
alterations which will be produced in the Constitution Act by the proposed measures
will be but slight, whilst they are evidently in accord with the popular wish.

A Bill will be submitted for your consideration to suspend Plurality of Voting in
cases of elections of local governing bodies, whilst those bodies are subsidized out of
the general revenue of the Colony.

Measures will also be submitted to you, which will enable those desiring to
occupy small farms or rural allotments to obtain possession of lands much more
readily, and at a smaller cost, than they can be obtained under the present system.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, -

The Estimates will be laid before you, accompanied by Financial Measures
calculated, in the opinion of my Government, to promote the interests of the Colony,
and to maintain its credit.

A very general desire appears to exist, that consideration should be given to the
best means of promoting and encouraging Manufactures and Local Industries in this
Colony. With a view to give effect to this desire, you may probably think it advisable
to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into and report upon the subject.

The Public Works in progress continue to be vigorously prosecuted, and you
will be asked to make provision for the further prosecution of those works which
have already been authorized by Parliament.

In pursuance of the intention of the Legislature in the session of 1878, con-
siderable pains have been taken by the Public Works Department to ascertain the
best route for connecting by rail the East and West Coasts of the northern portion of
the Middle Island; and also the best route from Amberley to Cook's Straits. As these
are works of great magnitude and importance, and must involve a very large expendi-
ture of public money, it is deemed prudent, in order to take advantage of every
possible means of ascertaining the best routes, that the relative merits of the various
lines should be carefully considered. With that view, you will be asked to submit
the whole question to full and exhaustive examination and inquiry by a Select
Committee.

HONORABLE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, -

A measure will be laid before you by which lands the property of the Natives,
not purchased by the Government for the public, will henceforth be sold in small
blocks in the open market, on such terms as may be agreed upon with the proprietors.
My Advisers are of opinion that by the adoption of this system, great advantages
will be secured to the whole European population of New Zealand, whilst the Natives