SPEECH FROM THE THRONE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1788, 28 June 1913, Page 6

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE.

1— DOMINION PROSPERITY. settlement' and finances. POLICY PROPOSALS. Following is the text of the Speech from the Throne delivered yesterday ty his Excellency the Governor:— Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— It gives me much pleasure to meet.you for the first time iu Parliament assembled. The loyal and enthusiastic welcomo with which I. was received as his Majesty's representative by the people of this Dominion upon my arrival wns spe- : cially gratifying, and the warm recep- ] tions. which were accorded to me by his Jlajesty's Maori subjects wero regarded with feelings of deep appreciation. Theso demonstrations I look upon as a sincere expression of the loyalty to our Sovereign entertained by tho whole'of his subjects in this Dominion. Since'' assuming the responsibilities of the Government, I have visited various parts of tho North and South Islands, and have taken every opportunity ,of making myself familiar with the general circumstances of the country and tho aspirations of tho people. It has given me pleasure in the course of my visits to become known to large numbers of the inhabitants of tho Dominion. 1 have observed with the deepest interest tho resources and potentialities of the country, and tho many signs of prosperity and comfort that are apparent in the lives of the people. I feel confident that when the great natural'advantages which this country possesses become more widely known 1 -in Great Britain, many suitable settlers will to attracted to its shores. RECORD VOLUME OF TRADE. It is pleasing for me to bo able to announce that the volume of trade during tho past year was the largest rc> corded in tho history of tho Dominion. The outlook for tho coming season is bright, and although a world-wide financial stringency, caused by the disturbed condition of affairs in Europe nud by large and extraordinary demands for money, has not . disappeared, still thoro is every reason to believe that the experience through which New Zealand and other countries are passing is only transient, and that, notwithstanding temporary financial restriction, the Dominion may look forward to another ' year. of continued prosperity and satisfactory remuneration for those engaged in her industries. ... Tho news of the assassination of King George of Greece, the brother of Queen Alexandra, was received in this Dominion with profound regret. The messages of sympathy from the Government and people. of New Zealand, which were transmitted by me to tho Queen Mother; were duly acknowledged. I deeply regret tlint death bas removed two much-esteemed members of tho General Assembly in tho persons of Sir Arthur Robert Guinness, late Speaker of tho House of Representatives, and Sir William Juke Steward, a member of tho Legislative Council, and a former Speaker of the House of Representatives. , The arrival of H.M.S. New Zealand was appropriately celebrated, and evenpossible opportunity was afforded the citizens and school children to visit tlie ship during her 'stay in New Zealand waters. EXPANDING INDUSTRIES. ■ Tho arßriculturnl and paMorol induetrica of tho Dominion 6Ull continue to

expand, and the constant demand for I small areas of land points to the conclusion that Iho future of New Zealand is ' closely bound up with development in tho country districts, and that land suitablo for settlement, whether Crown land, Native land, or privately-owned land, cannot be allowed to remain unproductive, but must bo utilised for the benefit of tho Dominion as a whole. You will be glad to learn that during the recess the. operations under the Land for Settlements Act have been extensive. Returns will bo laid beforo yon showing the area of land purchased and subdivided in pursuance of the j)owers contained in this statute. The subdivision of privately-owned estates is also proceeding satisfactorily. ROADS AND RAILWAYS., Tho construction of railways and tho making of roads arc being vigorously proceeded with, and 116 effort is being spared to develop the agricultural, pastoral, mining, and other resources of the conu•try. Tho legislation passed last session relaj tive to the settlement, and occupation of I land is working satisfactorily and is enabling a considerable number of settlers who were holders of leases from the Crown to exchange their leases for freehold titles. -A measure will be submitted foT your consideration extending tho principle contained in tho legislation of last year to lands held upon lease under tho Land for Settlements Acts, and also providing for the moro satisfactory settlement of land in mining districts, wliilo at tho samo time preserving mining rights and privileges. The lenses of a number of rung held from tho Crown under pastoral license expired during the past year, and, pending the result of legislation during the present session, were renewed for one year only. You ivill be asked to amend the law under which these lands are held so as to givo better security of tenure and moro encouragement for improvement with the object of increasing the carrying-capacity and productiveness of the largo areas of hill country suitable only for sheep-farming. PROGRESS OF SETTLEMENT. ( Tho rapid progress of settlement in many parts of the Dominion accentuates the urgent necessity for improving the present means of . communication by tha construction of branch railways, in response to numerous requests from groups of settlers that they should bo permitted to construct branch railways themselves, my advisers propose to introduce legislation which will give effect to this expressed desire and at the samo time carefully safeguard the public interest. During his visit to Great Britain the Hon. tho' Minister for Defence discussed with representatives of his Majesty's' Government matters relating to naval defence in the Pacific. The result of these conferences will be laid before you. During the Tecess tho Minister for Customs visited Australia, and there entered into negotiations for a reciprocal trade treaty between tho Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand. The papers relating to these negotiations will be presented to Parliament.: A reciprocal old ago pension agreement was also discussed, and proposals will be submitted to you for ratification this session. I am pleased to be able to inform you that,' with' a view to establishing the fishing, industry of the Dominion upon u. sound basis, tho Government has arranged for tho Chief Administrator of the Canadian 1 Fisheries Department to visit New Zealand, MILITARY TRAINING. You will bo gratified to learn that the system of compulsory military training is firmly established, and that its beneficial effect upon thp character and physique of the youth of the Dominion is already apparent. The excellent spirit which pervades tho whole force and tho keenness displayed by all ranks augur well for future. My Government has invited General Sir lon Hamilton, Inspector-General of the Oversea Forces, toN visit New Zealand. The invitation lias been accepted, and this distinguished ofKocr, will arrive in the Dominion in April, 1914. . It is a matter for congratulation that employment, especially in tho rural districts, can be obtained without difficulty. . It is proposed to submit for your consideration some important amendments to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, which it i* hoped will enable the parties to industrial disputes to effect a speedy and reasonable settlement without involving the country in the trade dislocations and • industrial losses which strikes and lock-outs invariably cause. • A Bill consolidating and amending the Shops and Offices Act ivill also be introduced. WORKERS' DWELLINGS. During the past year a considerable area of land has been purchased l in pursuance of the powers contained in the -Workers' Dwellings Act. A Bill will be introduced to enable the operations of this useful measure to be moro easily applied to country districts. The estimates of expenditure for this year will include a sum sufficient to provide for this work. A gentleman of high standing in tho railway world has been appointed General iManager of Railways, and will take up his duties in September next.. Mr. H. W. Nortlicroft, N.Z.C., a gentleman w(JI known throughout the Dominion, who served as a Stipendiary Magistrate for many yoars, has been appointed Resident Commis'sioner at the Cook Islands. nAtive'land settlement. Tho important question of the settlement of areas of unused Nativo land has received the earnest consideration of my i Advisers, and a Bill will be laid before you containing provisions which will . make for the more expeditious settlement J of such lands. A measure dealing with the rating of Native lands will also bo sub'raitted to you. A section of the Royal Commission appointed by His Majesty to inquire into tne, trade of the Empire visited New Zealand, and every facility was afforded by my Advisers to enable it to gain the fullest information regarding tho trade of the Dominion. . Commissions were appointed during tho recess to inquire into the subjects of forestry and the working of tho Public Trust Office. Tho reports of these commissions will be duly placed before you. THE COUNTRY'S FINANCE. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— The state of the country's finance made it necessary that the Hon. tho Minister for Finance should pay a visit to Great Britain during the recess. You will be pleased to hoar that his mission was eminently successful, and that, notwithstanding the existence of unfavourable financial conditions in England, ho was able to complete arrangements of a highly satisfactory character. Particulars of tho various transactions which the Minister successfully negotiated will be submitted to you for consideration. Tho public revenue is steadily increasing, and you will doubtless bo gratified to learn that as a result of tho increased taxation upon largo estates tho receipts derived from this sdurco have been considerably augmented, and, moro important still, that subdivision nnd settlement havo been encouraged and accelerated. Tho estimates for tho services of the ensuing year will bo laid you without delay. UPPER HOUSE REFORM. Honourable Gentlemen of tho Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— A measure will bo submitted to yon providing for tho reform of tha,Legislative Council in a manner which my Adrisers believe will increase the usefulness of that branch of tho Legislature, Proposals will also bo introduced bv which it is hoped that tho cost of living will bo lessened to persons of small incomes. Thero are now ready for your consideration Bills consolidating ami amending ths law relating to pensions, and a measure bringing the law of ropyrijht into line with tho law of Great Britain and ether leading F.uropeaii nations. Measures amending the existing .itatutes affecting local bodies, a Graduated Income Tax Bill, a consolidation and amendment of tho State-guarnntoed Advances Acts, an amendment of the Public lievenurs Act, an amendment of the Land Transfer Art. a Kill defining the law of libel, measures enabling advances to bn made to persons engaged in tho fruit industry, amending tho law governing the police force, altering tho oonntitiition of the Public TrwC . Ornoe Board, 13 well other Bills deal-

ing with matters of public interest, will bo placed before you. All these measures, designed as they havo been in tho interests of tho people who inhabit this Dominion, 1 confide to your oarcfui attention, and 1 trust that J)ivino I'rovidenco will bkss your efforts to discharge eflicicntly your onorouß duties. OPINIONS OF THE SPEECH. A PLAIN POLICY STATEMENT. Not a singlo Opposition member was to bo seen about the Parliamentary lobbies last evening. Many of them havo not yet arrived, and amongst those who havo there is apparently a general disposition to tako things quietly in the meantime, possibly until tho Address-in-Heply dobato is under way. A leading Opposition member, who was encountered yesterday afternoon, when invited to expres? his opinion concerning tho Governor's Speech said that it had been agreed by members of his party that 'they would havo nothing to say about the. Speech until after the period" of mourning is over. "Wo intend to oteervo tho intervening days as a tinio of truce,'' ho paid. Ho indicated that later they, would lmvo a great deal to say about it, and ho himself made a remark as to tho chances of "skin and lmir flying" in. tho near future. Government membors, on tho other hand, frankly expressed thoir satisfaction with the Speech. Leading membors of tho Reform Party make no sccrct of tho fact that they regard it as marking a return to a better fashion in documents of tho kind than has obtained in New Zealand of Into years. "Thero is none of the 'higlifalutin'' and airy promises we have been taught to look for In tho Governor's Speech," said one such member, "pnd thero aro no 'feelers.' It is a plain, policy statement of actual intentions on the British model." Other Government members who were spoken to in the main endorsed this opinion. One of the Independent members, who voted with thie Govßrnmout in tho no-confidenco divisions of last session, expressed unqualified approval of tho Speech, and remarked, that it foreshadowed a programme of liberal reforms which would satisfy tho country at large. Another Independent member complained that tho Speech was in some respects rather vafiite, but, he added, the Government could not be expected to am its opponents by giving away tho details of its policy proposals in advance.