PARLIAMENT OPENED

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 153, 28 June 1907, Page 3

PARLIAMENT OPENED

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

«THE -DOMINION OF NEW ; ZEALAND." '--(By Telegraph—Special Reporter.) TVELLINGTON, Thursday. Parliament was opened at 2.30 tnis by his Excellency the Gover--y'vTith the usual-ceremony, the Speech IIL read in the Legislative Council Sber, in the presence of a large gathering of members of both Houses and ■the piiblieHonourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Ctomicu, and Gentlemen of the House 0 £ .Representatives,—

Tfcjs with mu ch pleasure that I again -It you in-Parliament assembled. Dur- "« the year which has intervened be2*mh this and the last opening of Earlimnent, New Zealand has enjoyed Sian-increasing degree the blessings of widespread and solidly-based prosperity. Tf-is a matter for universal gratification tkt -judged by all recognised testa of riwress the wealth, population, and Si improvement of New Zealand have . jJvanced faster during the last ten years I jjan during any previous decade. of its ■ iistory; and it is equally gratifying to . site that the future promises a eontniu- ; prosperous times we at pre- .• ami-enjoy. i.~ -I-n%ret to say that' since I last addressed you death has removed one of nv':advisers—the late Hon. Albert Pitt, • ■sioieU iie office of Attorney-General. ' .We'lave also io deplore the death of 1 the late. Hon. Wm. M. Bolt, and the Sob! Lancelot Walker, of the Legislative Council, and Mr. M. M. Kirkbride and "Smith, of the House of ReprejaiiativEs, all of whom had rendered ■ w and valuable services in the conduct •of public affairs. The last loss this ' colony has sustained is by the death of the.kte Hon. Sir John Hall, K.C.H.G.. ■ oM/ , offtbe veterans.of our public life, ■wha,-'m"ffi e active days of his political • rareef,.;Tras a distinguished member of both teridies of the Legislature. He aowiedMspublic life by occupying with cqispfeions success the position of Prime TjjßEter of' this colony. To fill the vaascy caused by Mr- Pitt's death, I BumnMßdpr. J. G. Findlay to the Legislate and appointed him Attors^fiaenT and Colonial Secretary. %■', tie"_belief that a knowledge of % Jands .and harbours of the colony ssdits outlying islands is to some degree essiifiai to a satisfactory discharge oi tie'3nties of TTis Majesty's representa-

five, I have during the recess made an

extended tour through, the colony, and ! viatei the Snares, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands, Antipodes and Bounty Chatham Island. The general result of these visits has been to farther reveal to mc not only the , extraordinary "natural resources and advances of this country, but the unfailing sad universal loyalty of its people to Sis Majesty-the- King. iThes-V earifi^aaire" "catastrophe which. v "occurred at Valparaiso and Jana, roused much sympathy in New isjland, and at the request of •my adeds I sent messages to that eSect on tealf;of our Government and people. Iregfet to say. that, the earthquake at ifcniica claimed as eae of its victims the lie Bight Hon. Sir Jas. Fergusson/ a former Governor of Sew Zealand". The Council of Defence provided for ly;"The .Defence Act Amendment Act, 1306j a his been set up, and my advisers aie. of opinion that good results will

Mow from bringing-the volunteer offi-

are irrto' closer and more direct touch vfflr the defence administration. A: squadron of H.LM. the Emperor of I Japan also visited New Zealand recently, I '»]id it being the occasion of a visit of a I 3 JEqaadron of our aUy, the Admiral, his idicers and his men were warmly welmmed and treated with a kindness and worthy of our nation's traCItIOQS.

Ihie year has been marked by two impprfant.conferences, which have been held 'ia London. At the conference of Prime Ministers of the self-governing oversea tensions, New Zealand was represented ; by-Sir Joseph Ward. A full report of t&frpioeeedings will be placed before you. I;agree advisers, that although each that was attempted remains uns?hieve3, yet much was accomplished in ffie-;best : interests of the Empire. •%■ Prime Minister also attended tie-Maritime Conference of delegates representing- the shipping interests of the 'touted-Kingdom, the Commonwealth. >s4' ifew Zealand. Full minutes of the fupcee&ngs -wfll be laid TJefore you, and from them,you will see that many important subjects were discussed, and in ?me : cases- a satisfactory understandcome to on points upon which •"lenity and friction existed. My ad- ?■*» are pleased to find that the Britj* shipowners had but little objection against the New Zealand Ship-P-Sj? and Seamen Act. or the manner in *P& the' Marine Department adminisjtes it I n order to give effect to the '«*™tibns of the Conference an amendjs Mil-will be submitted for your con.'■Bferation. important question of fiscal preSre n c £, the Imperial Government were "anle-to accept the proposals of the " <lva sßa;representatives. The subject, how- *"•*« Mly and clearly discussed,and are of opinion that the result *w na for- good in clearing the air and Jsrong many prejudices and misunderKffidings that as yet cloud the issue. «'Featfog other matters brought for'eitovtl- H ° me Government showed 'nr *° co "°P era te in measures to r™ o, * Imperial unity, and, in particuto give "full consideration ine suggestions of my Prime Minister ai ° f postal and telega reducing" the Suez Canal -and quickenin? the mail services. ies directly affected shall few- acc °rdance ™& this H VtL- Bntish Government invit«une Ministers of the Common- ' &Ko. - New Zea land to nominate a W^ eSentative on an WT' "MMonvention then shortly to be latte f j P ur P ose of settling certain r- J™' 163 " existing New x ention, and on tb -e recomSolicitr?. of ■ ™y p rime Minister, the JHehefr :toler * l ' of New Zealand, Dr. ' 5 a PP° inte d and acted.' *P°a ftp and attentions showered 'eatifri- VBn^g Prime Ministers give .:«stt °* the kindly feelings !h ßua&r, ;rr e over sea dominjocs are IVeS £ o. he Unite d Kingdom. In Joseph Ward ' His Ma -

his. Privy Council- The corporations of London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Bristol admitted him to the freedom of their cities, and, tb,e universities of Edinburgh and Dublin conferred upon him the honorary degree 'of Doctor of Laws.

•As the outcome of the discussion, at the Conference, it is. understood that the Imperial authorities will' arrange that the self-governing dependencies will in future be administered separately from the Crown colonies, inclusive of dependencies. There axe no less than thirty-three colonies of the Crown. In this connection it will, I am sure, be gratifying to you and to our people generally to learn that in compliance with the representations made by Sir J. Ward, the British Government is prepared to advise His Majesty to raise the status of New Zealand by changing its designation from ""colony" to "dominion" upon being requested so to do a resolution of Parliament. A motion to this effect will be submitted, and, if carried, the effect will be to place New Zealand in a higher position in the eyes of the world.

The Xew Zealand International 'Exhibition, which, was opened on the Ist of Xoveraber last, was formally closed by mc on the 15th of April. The results more than fulfilled expectations. The total attendance was nearly two millions. My Ministers are satisfied that the net cost to the Public Treasury is more than compensated for by the many direct and indirect advantages which New Zealand has gained by the undertaking, quite irrespective of the direct financial receipts consequent on the influx of visitors and customs duties. The exhibits sold at the Exhibition served to bring into prominence the advantages and resources of New Zealand., and also had a great educative influence on industry, science and art

The circumstances and position of New Zealand make, and probably always will make, our agricultural and pastoral interests of paramount concern to the whole community: My advisers feel that the already extensive machinery functions of the Agricultural Department will be still further developed with, material benefit to our settlers by spreading more widely the most recent scientific knowledge of productive processes of all kinds of farming. To this end experimental dairy schools, and other methods of instruction, will be instituted. Two objects will be kept in view—first, that of ensuring the highest grade of excellence in our products; secondly, that of protecting, our farmers and the country generally against injury* resulting from" inferior products being falsely sold as those of Kew Zealand.

The mining industry, in the widest meaning of the term, probably ranks second in importance to that of Agricultural and Pastoral, and it is gratifying to know that it i 3 progressing upon a. solid and legitimate basis. The gold entered for export last year amounted to £2,270,904, being a large increase on that of the previous year's output. My advisers will ask'for authority to assist and promote on safe lines the developtment of this great, industry which, in all its branches, now gives employment to so many thousands of our people.

You will be asked ■to mate further provision for -workmen's homes, so that a smaller proportion of the -wages earned by city workers will have to.be spent in rent. The results of last census have now been definitely ascertained. The population of New Zealand (excluding members of the Maori race) amounts to 885J579, showing a very satisfactory increase (115,859) over toe census of "1901. The Representation Commission has considered- the necessary re-division of electoral districts, and has forwarded to mc its report, which will be presented to i ?ou.

Bills dealing comprehensively with the important question of our land system will be submitted to you at an early date. The problem of how the State should deal with the vast areas of native land in the North Island, so as to open as much of it to European settlement as is consistent with the fullest regard to the interests of native owners has perplexed many past Administrations, and my advisers, feeling that the first step to a permanent solution of this problem is full and reliable knowledge of the facts and conditions involved, have during the recess advised mc to appoint a Royal Commission, consisting of the Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, and Mr. A. T. Ngata, M.H.R. The Commission has accordingly been set up to in vestigate the land requirements for the maintenance of native owners and of the native race throughout the colony, and also to ascertain what area of such native land can with full justice to the native owners be made available for European settlement. This Commission has been actively engaged in the pursuit of its duties for some months, and the result of its labours will be laid before you at an early date. It is proposed to introduce legislation based upon tl»e ma terial supplied by the reports of this Commission, securing to the native owners such land as they require, and making available for European settlement the surplus above these requirements.

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— The estimates. of the revenue and expenditure for toe year ■will be placed before you. They have been framed ■with due regard both to efficiency and economy. The accounts show a very substantial surplus on the year's transactions. So far, this year's receipts are in excess of the corresponding period of last year. My advisers believe that a judicious system of reciprocal tariff treaties with other portions of the Empire will benefit, not only New Zealand but the Empire generally. A provisional treaty has Tseen entered, into with South Africa, subject, of. course, to confirmation by Parliament, and will be submitted for consideration accordingly. Whilst in London, the Prime Minister discussed with Sir Wilfrid Laurier the question of a tariff treaty between this country and Canada. Negotiations are now in progress, the results of which, if they take practical form, will be submitted to you in due course.

A vigorous promotion of closer settlement, and the energetic construction of the Main Trunk railway lines now in hand will be cardinal objects of the policy of my advisers. They will work to secure the completion of the North Island Main Trunk Tailway by the end of next year. My Ministers are fully alive to the hardships of our settlers, especially those in. backbloeks, consequent upon the want of access to their holdings. You will be ' asked to make liberal provision for the construction of roads, telephones, and such other conveniences as may render the good work done by these settlers less irksome and trying than it has been in the past.

Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,—

My advisers are of opinion that it will be a " great benefit to the trading community if the Customs tariff were revised and simplified. A measure" dealing with this matter will be submitted. Jo jou, gmi grgTjsjpn jriH

be made for lightening taxation, as far as possible on the necessaries, of life.

My advisers' fully appreciate the necessity of procuring, for the ranks of the Civil Service, men of the best ability and qualifications.

The good results which have been achieved in our Post and Telegraph Department by its scheme of classification led my advisers to prepare for submission, to you an extension of the system to other branches of the public- service. Proposals dealing with a superannuation scheme for the Civil Service has also received the careful consideration of Ministers, and will' be submitted to you.

During the recess a judge has been appointed under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act of last year, and, according 'to the terms "of that Act, he is devoting the whole of his time to the work of industrial disputes and other labour matters, with the result that the arrears existing at the time of his appointment will shortly entirely disappear. Some amendments supplying the machinery necessary to the effective operation of the Act will be submitted. My advisers think that the time has arrived to' extend the benefit of the Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act to those engaged in our industries, and a bill will be submitted to you this session for this purpose, also making more definite of ascertainment the compensation payable.

The discontinuance of the 'Frisco mail service has left Kew Zealand without an expeditious oversea steam service to England. The necessity for this country maintaining close association with the United Kingdom is keenly felt, and it is of the utmost importance to all classes of the community that this want should be remedied as early and effectively as possible. My advisers hope that a practical solution of the difficulty will be devised. In such event, the proposals will be submitted for your consideration.

The development of our trade with other countries has been under the consideration of my advisers. They are earnestly seeking means for more cheaply reaching our best markets and opening up and extending new ones for some of our largest products. The importance to our producers of being able to compete with the products of other lands makes cheap and expeditious means of transit all important, and careful consideration has been given to this matter, and steps will be taken to further its objects.

J* The law relating to local bodies, especially with regard to their borrowing powers, is uncertain and unsatisfactory, and a measure dealing with this and other branches of local government, will be submitted to you in due course. Bills dealing with the gambling evil, secret commissions, mental hospitals, fire brigades, shops and offices, pure foods, and other important matters will be introduced.

I am satisfied you will bring to all matters I have brought under your notice, and to other measures which are to be submitted to you, your earnest consideration and best judgment, and I trust your labours and decisions may have God's blessing, resulting in furthering the prosperity, happiness, and permanent well-being of the people of this fiolony as a whole.