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Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 472, 26 June 1890, Page 2

After dissenting from the statement in the Governor’s Speech, that land settlement had progressed satisfactorily, the Post goes on to say The next paragraph tends to confirm the statement that Mr Fergus was speaking the mind of the Ministry at Queunstowu when ho announced a scheme of borrowing on debentures against tho value of Crown lands, ta order to enable them to be opened np by roads prior to sale. If the scheme is on tho linos indicated by Mr Fergus it is scarcely likely to grace the statute book this session. The promised defence scheme will be looked for with interest, and probably rejected with acclamation. The remainder of the Speech contains little or nothing that is of interest, except the number of Bills promised. Most of these are evidently introduced to keep up appearances, for Minis'.ers cannot possibly flatter thamselvea with any hone that such measures as a new Charitable Aid Bill, Civil Service Reform Bill, or a new Bankruptcy Bill will be ssrioosly considered by a moribund Parliament. The House fought sby ot them even when in its lusty youth or prime of life. The references to the Sweating Commisaion mean nothing. Altogether, with the single exception we have indicated, the House might ttreat yestetday’s Speech as a purely formal document, to which they could reply in the usual stereotyped form without committing themselves to anything. The indication that the primage duty is to be continued for two years more is nothing new, and the proposal can be more conveniently considered nt a future stage than at present. g The Times has a sickly article on tlnij Speech, and gets off a little milk-and watery" wit that does not say mnch for the way the dignity of the Press is maintained in the Empire City. The Times urges that these Speeches, being purely formal, should be dispensed with altogether. The idea is a good one. but it is conveyed in a style that makes one conclue that if the Speech is wasby, it is printed in very agreeable company when in the columns of the Times.