JUNE 24.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1047

MR. SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,—

Estimates showing the receipts and expenditure have been prepared; and with respect to the expenditure proposed in connection with the public service, fair economy, consistent with efficiency and the growing requirements of the colony, has been observed. As compared with last year’s returns there is an increase from railways, Customs, and Excise, affording evidence of an increase in the spending-power of the people.

The construction of railways and other public works has proceeded in accordance with requirements. It is with great difficulty that the strain caused by the abnormal increase in the traffic on our railways has been fairly met, and the excess of receipts over expenditure is the highest obtained for the last fourteen years. The ever-increasing demand for land, and the necessity for more roads to open up lands for settlement, and to give access to lands already settled, still continue to be urgent, and you will be asked to approve the necessary expenditure to meet these all-important requirements.

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,—

My Advisers have great confidence that the colony has every reason to expect increasing and more equally diffused happiness and wealth, and a continuance of industrial and commercial activity, from a policy which provides for the development of the natural resources of the colony; the promotion of settlement by opening up the waste lands and by acquiring large private estates; the construction of roads by means of enlarged powers to local bodies; the completion within a reasonable time of such of our railways as will open up the country, multiply its productiveness, and facilitate access to our beautiful scenery; the conservation of water for irrigation and gold-mining purposes; and the encouragement of local industries, and the advancement of the interests of those engaged in them.

You will again be asked to devote your attention to that most complicated social problem—the provision, under certain conditions, of a pension for the deserving among our aged colonists. A Bill to make such provision will be submitted for your earnest and careful attention.

A Bill will be submitted to you with the object of putting the municipal franchise on a more equitable basis, and giving the residents in the boroughs a voice in the management of affairs most vital to their welfare. Other Bills for consolidating and amending local government, and for the removal of restrictions which prevent a fair decision being obtained in respect to loans to local bodies, will also be placed before Parliament.

The inspection of meat for home consumption and export, and also the inspection of stock, are matters deserving your attention; and where it is found necessary to destroy cattle, my Advisers deem it equitable that the State should to some extent compensate the owners thereof. It is also considered advisable that dairies should be inspected; that dairy produce should be graded; and that financial assistance, duly safeguarded, should be rendered to the dairy industry. The export of products under Government supervision and inspection has, where tried, proved beneficial. Bills treating of these matters will be submitted.

You will also be invited to consider a Bill to enable the people to pronounce at the ballot-box by vote their decision upon resolutions of both Houses, and upon rejected Bills, thus preventing deadlocks such as have occurred in the past, and have delayed the progress of important reforms.

Important amendments of the law affecting Native lands and the method of dealing with them will be brought under your notice.

Bills dealing with the protection of young persons, accident insurance, compensation to workmen, master and apprentice, the hours of labour, wages protection, industrial conciliation and arbitration, payment of jurors, the jury system, technical education, irrigation, the gum industry, and other important matters, will also be laid before you.