OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2186, 26 June 1914, Page 8

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS REFERENDUM

PUBLIC WORKS BOARD.

THE PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE.

The fourth and last session of tho eighteenth Parliament of New Zealand was opened by his Excellency the Governor with the time-honoured ceremonies proper to tho occasion yesterday. Pleasant weather encouraged a largo attendance of tho public,! and many hundreds of people assembled at Parliament Buildings to witness the arrival of the Governor. Thero was a gay display of bunting on' the publio buildings in tho city. As tho Earl and. Countess of Liverpool sot out from Government House a salute was fired by tho E.N.Z.A. Battery at Alexandra Barracks. Tho A Squadron of the 6th Mounted Rifles, under Major A. M. Samuel, acted as the Governor's escort, and the guard of honour at Parliament Buildings was the C Company of the 6th (Wellington) Regiment. Tho Governor entered the Legislative Council Chamber punctually at 2.30 p.m., accompanied by tho Countess of Liverpool and the vice-regal suite, which included Captain Huttou and Captain Eastwood (aides-de-camp). Captain Shaw (military secretary), Mr. Gavin Hamilton (private secretary), and Colonels R. J. Collins, Logan, Nichols, and Ruffcll (honorary aides-de-camp). ,Ma-jor-General Sir Alexander ■ Godley, Colonel Heard, Colonel Robin, and other officers of tho Headquarters Staff were in attendance.

Amongst the ladies who were accommodated with seats on the left of the Speaker's chair wero: Mrs. Massey and .Miss Massoy, Lady Ward, Mrs. Herdman, Lady Godley, Lady Stout, and Mrs. Marshall; Another spectator of the proceedings was Sir Hartmanu Just, permanent head of tho Colonial Office; Having taken his seat in the Speaker's Chair, the Governor ordered the usher of the Black Rod to summon: tho House of Representatives. His Excellency commenced reading his.Speech'at 2.35 p.m., and'tho reading' occupied just twenty, minutes." •.. ' .-,'■• •, '-,

His Excellency the Governor was pleased to make the following Speech :— "■•'penaral Contentment.

_ Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council; r and, iGentlemen of the House of Representatives,—lt is with sincere pleasure that I again meet you in Parliament assembled. During the recess Ihave visited many parts of the Dominion, and have noticed with pleasure tho general contentment which obtains amongst all/classes. The settlers 'Wigagcd'in pastoral; and dgricultural pursuits are prospering,'! industries are 'nourishing, and the conditions' of labour which exist in the Dominion are in tho main sufficient to provide reasonable comfort and, happiness for the prudent worker. It;is gratifying to be able, to congratulate you once- more upon the remarkablo prosperity of the country. Trade, as evidenced by tho Customs returns, has been 'Unexampled. The value of the exports from our shores lias reached an unprecedented height, and tho imports represent in money's worth an amount never before equalled. On every hand there are signs of advancement. Settlement of the land is progressing rapidly, development is proceeding apace, and the Dominion is. steadily becoming a country in which tho small holder predominates. Tho. intercourse which I have enjoyed with the people lias served to confirm my confidence in-their loyalty to tho Throne, and devotion to our most gracious Sovereign. . . ~ It is fitting that I should mention tho loss sustained by Her Royal Highness, tho Princess Louise, in the death of her husband, Hi 3 Grace the Duke of Argyll. '-'"I'cabled tho condolences of my Government and the people of New Zealand, and they have been duly, acknowledged. ■; '.. The Cook Islands. I have recently visited the Islands of tho Cook Group, which form part of tho Dominion of Now Zealand, and was accompanied by tho Hon. Dr. Pomare, the Minister in Chargo of tho Administration of the Islands. I am, satisfied that the information obtained during my visit will enablo my. Ministers to improve tho condition of thesis possessions of tho Dominion. The measures to bo proposed to you by my Government in. relation to education were explained, and .were received with great satisfaction % the Natives throughout the'lslands'. My Ministers recognise tho responsibility which tho Government of the Dominion has assumed in regard to tho Islands, and have had under their consideration the legislation which has been enacted in past years. | They propose to submit to you a measure by which those laws will be recast, revised, and consolidated. It is with satisfaction that -1 am ablo to announce that tho smaiipox epidemic which broke out in' this Dominion last year has been coped, with successfully. Every effort is being mado to prevent tho recrudescence of this disease. Tho .'Frisco Mail. Tho San Francisco mail, servico contract, which terminated in March last, has been renewed for a period of live years from April 1, 1014. Provision lias been made for: a'considerable reduction in tho rate of freight for butler to America by'both the Vancouver and the San Francisco routes, and, to meet the expected increased demand for spaco, two larger steamer of improved design arc to bo placed in tho service item December 31, 1915. During the past year r thrco now wireless-telegraph stations have been established: two high-power stations— at Awamii and Awarua —and a ' lowpower station at the Chatham Islands. Land Legislation. Under the land legislation of the last two sessions full effect is being given to tho intention of Parliament. Tenants of Crown and settlement land havo been enabled to acquire the fee-simple of their holdings, the subdivision of privately-owned estates is proceeding rapidly,' the tenures' of land (including land within mining districts) have been improved, pastoral tenants havo been granted tho right to elect between accepting full'valuation of improvements at tho termination of existing licenses and a new license over the whole or part of their runs at a-revised rental, and in all partg of the country closer settlement'lias'-been, promoted.

The- legislation authorising the constitution .of, special, road districts, providing as it does for the expenditure of the moneys, received from the lands upon the construction of roads and bridges, is much appreciated, and will be of great value to the settlers living in • remote, and isolated parts of the country.

'[he "Crown lands of the Dominion which still remain unoccupied are bc-iiiL'-siirvcycd and opened' for selection as'"cxpo"cliiiously as circumstances permit.

During the last financial year there has been a gratifying incrcaso in the

revenue derived from Crown lauds and land-for-scttlements estates, tho amount received having exceeded all previous .records i I deeply »egret that since I last met you.tho Dominion has lost through death tho valuable services of Sir William Russell, a member of the Legislative Council, and of Mr. Georgo Laurenson, member of Parliament for Lyttelton. The Strike. The closing months of the year 1913 were marked by an industrial struggle which seriously menaced the trado and prosperity of tho country. At tho commencement of the trouble scenes of violence were frequently witnessed, and breaches of the law wore of daily occurrence; thanks to the efficiency of the permanent police and to tho admirable! public spirit displayed by citizens of the Dominion who proffered their services as foot and mounted special constables, peace and order were speedily -restored, tho produco of the country wais shipped without undue delay to the markets of the world, and a state of industrial quiet re-estab-lished. Tho problem of the cost of living has engaged the attention- of my Advisors during the recess, and certain proposals relating To this question will bo placed before you for consideration. Loans. V. hen I last met you the conditions of tho, principal money-markets of the world made it difficult to obtain financial assistance for public works and. other services. I am pleased to bo able to announce that during the last • financial year circumstances combined -to • mako money more plentiful, and-my Advisers were able fo procuro at reasonable rates sums of-money sufficient to' meet tho general requirements. of the Do : minion; besides, arranging for. tho re-, demption, reiicVa.],' and. .'.conversion, of maturing- loans, raised-.in', pasfjjjyoars. 1 Vigorous Public Works Policy. Tho completion of the Main Trunk lino between Wellington and Auckland has tended to open up large areas of Native and Crown lands that were lying unproductive, but to-day the settlors upon these and other lands in the Dominion, through want of adequate roads and railways, are working under .disadvantageous conditions. ■ _My Advisers are of opinion that no policy of laud settlement is sound which does not include a progressive scheme for roadconstruction; and propose to submit to your consideration a measure which makes provision for tho creation of satisfactory moans of communication in isolated and badly-rpaded districts. Further, tho remarkable growth of settlement and. the rapid expansion of tho business of the country during recent years have convinced,my Ministers; of tho necessity for a strong and vigor- : ous policy of public works construction, and the speedy completion of the more important lines of railway now in pro gross. Tongariro Park. The Tongariro National Park, which lies half-way between 1 Wellington and Auckland, comprising 62,300 acres ; and containing Within its boundaries interesting mountain scenery and other natural attractions, can with very little expenditure bo mado one of tho most popular holiday resorts in the Dominion. In order that this object may be achieved it is intended to so alter the constitution of the present hoard as to provide for-tho inclusion of persons specially interested iu tho conservation of tho natural beauties of New Zealand. The Public Funds. Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,—Tho Estimates for the year havo been framed with due regard to economy, consistent with efficiency, and will be duly laid before you. Notwithstanding "tho noninclusion of the proceeds of land sales, and the loss, of railway 'income consequent on the dislocation- of industries by the strike, and on the smallpox epidemic, the public revenue for the past financial year has shown a substantial increase. Full information regarding tho recent loan transactions will be placed before you. Tho over-increasing demand-on: the part of the public for treatment in our general hospitals will entail additional expenditure upon buildings for the reception of patients, and for the maintenance of patients admitted'to those institutions. , No More Doles, It has been recognised for many years that the system upon which subsidies havo been paid, and grants from - the public funds -have been made, to local bodies for development purposes is objectionable,- unbusinesslike, and uneconomical. A Bill will be introduced con- : taining provisions which, it is hoped, will ensure a fairer apportionment and a more careful expenditure of theso public moneys. Council Reform. Honourable' Gentlemen of ' the Legis lative Council, and Gentlemen of the Honsc of Representatives,—A Bill providing for the election of members of the Legislative Council by the system of proportional representation in large electoral divisions was introduced in viio Legislative Council in tho second session iof the-year 1912, but was then,- 1 postponed .'by the Council for consideration in tho following year. In tho same session the House of Representatives passed resolutions affirming tho necessity for roform of the Constitution iu tho direction proposed by that Bi'l. In the session of 1913 another Bill to the same effect, modified in some of its provisions, was introduced in the Legislative Council, but failed .to obtain the approval of tho Council. Tho Bill of 1913 will again bo introduced during your present session in the Legislative Council.

Ah tlic commencement of the session of 3913 the Legislative Council consisted of forty-two members. Oh July 1, 1914, if no now appointments were now made;, tlio number of members of the Council would be reduced by effluxion of the terms of appointment and by death to twenty-eight.' of whom seven hold appointments for life It is therefore found necessary to make further present appointments not .only for the purpose of passing into law the Bill reforming the Constitution of the Council, but*also for due consideration of all legislation submitted to both Houses of Pnvliament. Inasmuch as the proposed change in the Constitution has been postponed by the Legislative Council until the session immediately preceding a general election, my Advisers, following the constitutional precedent of J|if! Act by which-the abolitions? -the; provinces was -effected in the year 187j. now propose- that the Legislative Council Act shall become law during the present session, but that its

commencement shall be postponed until after tho session of Parliament to bo held iu tho year 1915. The Defence Forces, During tho past year tho training of tho land_ forces of tho Dominion has made- satisfactory progress. At the invitation of the Government, General Sir lan Hamilton, Inspector-General of the Overseas Forces, .recently visited tho Dominion and inspected overy unit of tho citizen army and every cadet company. The unit's of tho field forces were assembled fof their annual training, and his inspection in fiyo camps enabled him to observe the organisation.of tho troops, the qualifications of tho higher commanders and staffs, and tho practice of tho three arms in field operations. The conduct of tho men of tho citizen army and of the cadets at the Territorial camps, at the cadet concentrations, and during tho journeys by rail and sea to and from the places of assembly was, asa nile, exemplary. The season was late, the weather was generally unfavourable, yet, notwithstanding these disadvantageous conditions, the spirit of the troops and cadets was all that could be desired, and afforded a valuable testimony to the benefits of the training.' Tho assembling of the units of tho Territorial Forces in camp and all cadet companies for inspection at'tho same time taxed "flio organisation and administrative machinery of the Defence and Railway Departments, and it was only owing to.the zeal and energy and unceasing hard work of those responsible for district, and local arrangements that it was rendered possible. _ The valuable criticisms and suggestions which the Inspector-General lias made, and tho advice"which he.has tendered, aro receiving the consideration of the Government. Naval Affairs. Tho defence of the Pacific; a problem of groat difficulty, has engrossed the attention of'my .Advisers during tho recess, and, in accordance with a decision communicated to you during your last ■session of Parliament, Captain HallThompson lia.s'boen appointed to act nrAdviser to tho Government on naval matters, and to command the training-' ship lent by the Admiralty. It is probable that during the forthcoming year a conference on naval affairs, to wlii'-'-the Government of New Zealand has already been invited to send representatives, will be convened by tho Imperial Government. • The Railways. Seven months ago tho present General Manager of the Dominion Railways commenced his new duties. . He has since been engaged in inspecting tho various railway lines throughout tho Dominion, and iir making himself conversant with tho railway system and; its-'.workings. In the comprehensive- report upon tlu's largo State' ' undertaking : which", tho General Manager is'preparing,-.'.'lie'....is. making 'recommendations :whieh, if given effect make the. railways of-the j country more valuable .to the cial community, and-: more. attractive." to the travelling public. To carry into cf-' feet the important -works which must bo undertaken to ensure .the proper and safe-working of tho railways of tho Dominion, proposals will be submitted for your consideration. ■ , Board of Agriculture. In accordance, with the .legislation of last session a Board of Agriculture has been constituted, and has commenced its duties. Tho board consists of practical and experienced agriculturalists, and it is confidently expected-that-by-its interest and advico the agricultural industry will be greatly benefited. Workers' Homes. The system of workers'. homes has been extended to the'country/districts. ,It is intended to submit legislation providing that tho area of land attached to a -worker's homo shall in all such cases be regulated according to its quality or producing capacity, tho object of my Advisers being to give as many workers as possible an opportunity of owning their own liomes at reasonable prices and on easy terms, with land surrounding each home appropriate to the locality in which it is situated. Education Bill. The state of the education system of tho Dominion has been closely investigated by a Parliamentary Committtee and by tho members of a Commission, and as a result of their-delibera-tions my Advisers have decided to lay bel'oro you a Bill which, while improving tho conditions of employment of teachers, aims also at effecting a -general advance in methods of education. Miscßllaneous Topics, Tho -decrease of infantile mortality in New Zealand is most gratifying, anil fully justifies assistance being oifordod by the Government to. tho Society for tho Health of Women and Children in its efforts to disseminate by its literature,-- and by the training of nurses and midwives, a wider knowledge of all that pertains to Wie successful rearing of infants. Tho visit of a party of members of tho Imperial Parliament to Now Zoaifind during your last -session was welcomed by myself and my Advisers, as evidencing liio general desire, in winch I am well assured you join, for cloßer association of the Parliaments of the Empire. My- .Mnus. - er.s were enabled to confer with Lord En.mott, the' Under of Stato for the Colonies, who was chairman of tin! party of visitors, upon several questions' which are of interest to bovn Gou'rnments. . Early this year, New Zealand welcomed at Auckland the tenth session of tho Australasian Medical Congress. Aly Advisers are. giving earnest consideration to the conclusions arrived at by the Congress. During tho present year tho British Association will hold its meeting in Australia. It'has been arranged that scmo of tho distinguished scientific gentlemen attending that mooting shall I afterwards visit New Zealand and deliver addresses on their special sub- ]* ets.

During the next year a great Exhibition will b-3 held at San Francisco, and this Dominion has been invited by tiio United States to tako part in their national event. My Ministers ha\o made, for the proper leprescntatiun of NW Zealand, and were is reason t:> believe that this country will as >- result, reap substantia! commercial advantage " During '-he recess considerable dissusoion has lake.ii j/.a.-e upon two subnets in respect, of whi\i it is apparent that public opinion is largely .-divided—firstly, amendments .of . tho licensing laws, and, secondly, the request that 'definite questions relating to Bible-reading in schools shall ; bo submitted to the electors by referendum' at the ensuing general election. You will nave opportunity during tho present of arriving at a conclusuin irpcn both issuej.

Measures _ relating to the following further subjects have bee'i . prepared, and will ho placed before you for consideration:—lnspection of Machinery; Masters ainl Apprentices; Motor Begulation nnd License; the Iron and Steel Industry, tre Fruit-preserving .Industry ; Inscription of ■ Loans; Fire Brigades; the Law of Libel; Local Authorities; Local Elections;. Rating; Land Laws; 'Contractors' and Workmen's Liens; Public Servants' Superannuation ; the New Zealand University; tho Victoria College Council; and other-matters.

I commend all .the. matters to-which I have referred to vo'ir careful consideration, and I trust that under Divine providence your efforts to promote the happiness and well-being- of the people ol New Zealand may bo siiccessful. Having heard the Speech, members dispersed, and both Houses later held brief sittings.