THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 855, 29 June 1910, Page 6

THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. WORK OF THE SESSION OUTLINED. THE OATH OF ALLE6IANCE. WHAT MEMBERS ARE SAYING kM DOING.

For the opening of the third session of the seventeenth Parliament of New Zealand yesterday afternoon, the weather was anything but propitious, and interforevl to a large extent with the outside display. Despite this fact, tliero was, however, a fairly largo attendance of the public in the vicinity of Parliament House, and the proceedings passed off pleasantly.

It was necessary, under, the Demise of Crown Act, that members should take the onth of allegiance to King George, and for this purpose both Houses met an hour prior to the reading of the Speech from the Throne. In the House all the Ministers were in their respective pla'ces, whilst about two-thirds 01 the members were also present. There was only a meagre attendance of the public—about twenty ladies (including Lady Ward and Miss Ward), and less than a dozen gentlemen. When the Speaker (the Hon. A. Guinness) was announced, all the members rose and remained standing, n-liilst the Clerk of the House (Mr. OttersopJ read the commission setting out the procedure, which, it was death of King Edward. The Speaker then took the oatli, the text of which was as 'under:—

"I do sincerely promise and swear that I will bear (rue and faithful allegiance to His Majesty King George

Members were then summoned to take the oath in batches of four, the ceremony occupying only about twenty minutes. Tin , swearing-in ceremony in tut; Legislative Council was witnessed by a gathering of twenty or thirty ladies. Lady Ward and Miss Eileen AVard occupied seats on the left of the Speaker, and the other ladies found accommodation in the Press Gallery. The routine was substantially the same as in the popular Chamber, and the last member had signed the Oiith of Allegiance in less than a quarter of an hour after the Speaker (Sir Clms. Bowen) took the chair. In order to shorten the proceedings members were, at the suggestion of the Attorney-General, sworn in batches of three.

Owing to the limited accommodation, only about. SO visitors, mostly ladies, were able to witness Uie main portion of the proceedings—the reading of the Speech from the Throne—which took place in the Legislative Council Chamber. Seals on the floor of the Chamber we.ro occupied by Lady Ward and Miss Word, Lady Beatrice Kcrr Clark, Mrs. Findlay, .Mrs. 1!. M'Kcnzie, Mrs. Carroll, Mrs. Ngala, Mrs. Corliss, and Miss Millar. Prior to the arrival of His Excellency the Governor, the Speaker (Sir Charles Bowen) .presented Lady Ward. Lady Beatrice Korr Clark, Mrs. FindIny.'nnd Miss Ward with beautiful bouquets, composed of violets and maidenhair fern, to wjiieh were attaclied purplestreamers. Just upon 3.30 tho strains of the National Anthem, played by the Garrison Band, announced the arrival of Lord Islington, who presently entered the building, accompanied by his aides-de-camp, Captain Crichtou-Maitlaud a,nd Captain Shannon, also his private secretary, Mr. Kerr Clark, and Captain. Blunt and Sub-Lieutenant Joyce, of H.M.S, Pioneer, and Colonel Eobin, Chief of the General Staff. Thero was an unusually long delay whilst the members of the House of E<ji)resentatives were assembling. When tfiey had taken up their allotted place; Lord Islington, seated in the Speaker's chair, at once proceeded in a clear and pleasant voice to read tho Speech. The reading of the Speech occupied about 20 minutes, after which tho ceremony was at an end. The Koyal New Zealand Artillery furnished a mounted escort for His Excellency, also the guard of honour. SPEECH FROM THE THRONE. NEW AND AMENDING LEGISLATION. THE LAND QUESTION. Following was tho text of the Speech from the Throne:— Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— Having been appointed by His Most Gracious Majesty as his representative in -\ew Zealand, it gives me great pleasure, lo meet you now for Ihe first time in Parliament "assembled. Tho very warm and .enthusiastic welcome accorded me upon my landing was a strong stirring evidence ol New Zealand's loyalty ami devotioncto His Majesty's Throne and person, and 1 personally very much appreciated the kiud words of welcome extended to me as his representative. 1 look forward with great pleasure to making myself acquainted with the Dominion, its people, and its resources, nnd witnessing, when my other duties permit, the world-famed scenery of this interesting country. It is only a few weeks since the British nation had to deplore the death of His late Most Gracious Majesty King Edward tht Seventh, an event both profound in effort- and appalling in suddenness. On his demise the throb of grief went forth throughout the civilised world. Our late Sovereign's life was a strenuous one, and his constant desire was to promote the best interests of his people. He sought unremittingly to maintain their liberties ant) improve their conditions. In his drath the world, in losing tho greatest, friend of peace, has suffered an incalculable loss, lie died loved and revered by his subjects and the memory of his works will live for ever- in our herirts. Messages of sincere sympathy and condolence were forwarder! by the Prime Minister on behalf of the people of New Zealand through my predecessor to His Most Gracious Majesty King George the Fifth and the Royal Family, to which a grateful and appreciative reply was received through the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

(In the dentil of his revered father. His Shiiwty nssnincd tho throne as Kins (leoi-"0 the Filth, and the people of this Dominion most loyally acclaimed the reiKii i>l , the new King, ami his accession was HttiiiKly proclaimed lit the threshold of Parliament Huildings. In every city and in almivt every borungli and county tlironqlioiit thi' Dominion similar functions "took place. Return of Prosperity. I feel sure that this Dominion, which has , already progressed so rapidly, has a still giwifoT future Before it, and it will ever iluriuj: my term of office be my duty and my pleasure to assist in (riving effect to the will of the people, and to the ui'omoUou uf Uicii' liigUor usuirutious uud

I regret to announce to you that during the. recess death has removed the Hon. Richard JTarman Jennies Rwves, the Hon. Francis Trask, and the Hon. James Holmes from the Legislative Council, and Jlr. Frederick Ehrenfried Bauine, K.C., from the House of Representatives, whose loss was in each case universally lamented throughout the Dominion. It gives me special pleasure at this, the commencement of my term of office, to be able to congratulate, you. upon the splendid recovery this Dominion has made from the recent financial depression which affected it in common with the rest of the world.

It is gratifying to recognise the continued and marked improvement which is evinced in both the public finances and the industries of the Dominion, and probably it is fair to say that New Zealand is now in as sound and prosperous a condition as she has been at any time during her history. In this connection it is interesting to notice that the value of our products for last year exceeds that of the previous twelve months by a sum of unwards of six millions sterling.

During- the last twelve months the alienation and settlement of Crown lands nnd of all lands purchased from Native owners, and also from European owners under the Land for Settlements Act, have continued with more than usual energy. The great and increasing demand for land by bona fide small settlers is conclusive proof of the need of the closer land-settlement policy of this Dominion, and qf the necessity of procuring by every resource within the powers of Government the necessary land to reasonably satisfy this increasing demand. The purchase'of Native lands for European settlement has been carried on with as mnrti expediency as possible, and as far as the financial limits fixed by law permitted. It is gratifying to know that the .Native owners throughout New Zealand who have surplus land for disposal are evincing a spirit of friendly co-operation with the now Maori Land Boards, and with other statutory .agents in making these surplus lands available for European settlement, while on the area retained for their own use and occupation the settlement of the Maori owners is proceeding more vigorously than at any previous period in the history of the Maori race. Recent Legislation. The- Native Land Act, which came into force .on March 31 last, made radical and important changes in the pre-existing Native land law, and although the Act has been in operation barely three months the results eo far promise that what was expected on the passing of that important statute in the direction of facilitating and expediting the direct- acquisition of surplus Native land by European settlers will be realised. It has been found desirable for the sake of both the public and commercial interests of this Dominion to promote communication with Australia and some of the South Pacific islands by means of wireless telegraphy, and arrangements have been made to achieve this end. The necessity for improving communication with backblock settlement in this country is increasingly recognised, and during the last twelve months very large sums have been spent in improving and forming road communication with tho settlers on the more remote lands, which have been in recent years settled in small areas.

The operation of the New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act, passed Inst session, has already had beneficial results, and both country settlers and town workers, and also local bodies, have recognised the improved facilities furnished by ■ that statute. The greatest interest has been shown in all parts of New Zealand in the scheme contained in the Land Settlement Finance Act, although some further amendments are necessary to give the statute the free and effective operation ray advisers contemplate. During the last recess this country has been honoured by a visit of that distinguished soldier, Field-Jlarshal Lord Kitchener, who, after examining our defrneo system, defence forces, and harbonr defences, furnished my advisers containing a series of recommendations as to the most effective protection of this Dominion. These recommendations, so far as they were not confidential, have already been published, and have been studied with great and widespread interest. Railway Management. Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— Tho last year's returns of public revenue have been eminently satisfactory. The estimates of revenue and expenditure, will in due course be laid before you. These have, as usual, been framed with a due regard to efficiency and economy. Tho work of reducing the cost of the public service by amalgamating- departments and by reorganising other branches of the public service has been completed, ami tho savings contemplated will be substantially realised. . You will be glad to learn that the Death Duties Act. of last year has been found to work effectively and smoothly, and will produce the addilional revenue which was contemplated at the time of its being passed.

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

Returns will be Inid before yon showing the results of traffic throughout our railway system, and your attention will be directed to various questions of importance in connection with the management nnd extension of that branch ot the service.

The present, condition of mail connections wilh the United Kingdom has been engaging the close attention of my advisers, and negotiations are at present proceeding with a view to giving better and closer mail services with Great Britain.

Consequent upon the recommendations made by Lord- Kitchener, you will be asked to give your best consideration lo amendments of the Defence Act of last year, which will provide, under certain conditions, for an extension of the ago-limit for compulsory training. Yon will also be asked to consider a number of other important modifications in and improvements of the scheme contained in that statute.

Your attention will be directed to tho important question of land legislation, and the Lain! Bill of last year, with some amendments, will be again submilled In you for approval.

~\\y ndvifcrs arc of opinion that tlio time has arrived w!ie;i an effective selienie for the establishment of a sinking fund I'nr the repayment of the public debt should be instituted, so that this country should have bolli ii prospeel mid an assurance of diseharginc ils public debt within a liniilcd period i>l years. The statutory provisions for croalins and carrying out a scheme will bi> submitted lor your consideration. Important Measures. Legislation will also lie introduced to afford relief in proper eases to the homes upon which the burden and expenses of niaternity now fall heavily, anil a provision will lie made wliereliy the Stale will, in eases where ilie bread-winner cams only a small wage, make a substantial coatribution towards Uu£ relief.

The National Annuities Bill of last year, with sonic amendments, will be introduced and submitted for your consideration.

.My advisers have given further attenlion to the vt'iv impoitanl iincstiim of lot-i.I government, and proposals will be submitted to you for approval as the basis of a comprehensive measure upon the subject. It is considered necessary for the protection of the people as h whole that eff"ctive anli-trut't- legislation should he. placed nir our statute-honk, and a Bill for that purpose has been prepared, and in due i-oiiiM- will be laid 1.-eion.' yon.

Jt has boon recognised that in « democratic count rv the names ot all those entitled to exercise tho franchise should be upon the electoral rolls. This result it is found cannot be secured by leaving enrolment to voluntary initiative, and it hns been decided to ■introduce 11 provision into our electoral law whereby suitable. per>ous will be nppointfd tn ensure the enrolment of all "adults entitled to the franchise.

legislation will also bo introduced for the purpose of establishing in this country what is known as tho post-audit system iu connection with our public accounts.

.My advisers have decided upon a complete revision of the existing prisons system of this country, and the new scheme, which has already been published, is being steadily put into force. To complete its operation, however, some legislation is necessary, and a Bill embodying the necessary provisions will in due course lie submitted to you. Tho existing mining legislation has been working smoothly, and the mining industrv continues prosperous. Some amendments of the law, however, are deemed necessary, and these will in due course bo submitted to you. Water Power. It has, after full consideration by my advisers, been decided that in the best interests of this Dominion the chief sources of water power should be retained in the hands of the Government, and that they should be developed lor public, commercial, and miniug purposes by State enterprise. To this end legislation will be introduced providing for the necessary powers and ways and means.

Bills amending or consolidating the law with regard to land settlement finance, land aud income assessment, gaming, destitute persons, municipal corporations, Crown suits, public holidays, mental hospitals, harbour boards, Native reserves, Native townehips, rating on Nativo lands, factories, shops, and offices, companies, criminal appeals, bankruptcy, libel and slander, indecent literature, secret transmissions, silver coinage, tramways, education, noxious weeds, and other important matters will l)e introduced for your consideration.

I feel sure that in dealing with all these proposals, aiming as* they do at the further progress of this country, and at the promotion of the material and social well-being of its people, you will use your best industry and judgment, and I trust that by the grace of God your deliberations and proceedings will bo to the credit of Parliament, the good of New Zealand, and the honour of the Empire.