PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3123, 29 June 1917, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

* ■YESTERDAY'S OPENING GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S SPEECH A WAR SESSION The third session of the nineteenth Parliament of New .Zealand whs oepned yesterday afternoon by his Excellency the Governor-General. Tlio guard of honour was provided by the Twentyseventh .■Reinforcements. Lord Liverpool, who whs accompanied by the Countess of Liverpool and members of liis staff, reached the Parliamentary Bnildings at 2.30 p.m. The. Trcntham Cam i> Baud played the Notional Anthem as His Excellency entered tlie Legislative Council Clumber, where nearly all the space availabe for "stnuigers" was occupied bv ladies. 'Tim members of (lie Flousp. of Representatives were then, summoued by Black Rod, and after they liiicl entered Hie Chamber Hip Governor-General road his Speech', which, dealt almost entirely wit'i the war and mutters pertaining 1.0 il. Thp text of His Excellency's Speech was n* follows:—

THE SPEECH. "Honourable Gentlemen, of the I lative Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— "It is with pleasure I again \ne.et you in. .Parliament, assembled. in roi-Ofriii--1 inn of the services Tendered by New Zealand since tho outbreak of tyar and to mark the status of the Dominion, a signal mark of Royal favour lias been recently extended in the bestowal by His Majesty the King of the dignity and title of Governor-General upon myself. "I regret to say tlint death has removed ono of my Advisers, , tho laio Honourable Dr. Robert M'Nnb, who held tho portfolios of .Tuslico, Marine, and Stamps. Progress of the War. "During the recess the course of the Great War has been definitely in favour of the Empire and its Allies. The. Imperial Navy, true to its past history, is meeting new and difficult, conditions a≤ they arise with courage, resource, and success. It is specially gratifying to Jioto that the transport of our regular reinforcements has proceeded without interruption, and happily without loss. "Imperial troops have exercised constant pressure on our onemios, driving them from many elaborately prepared positions. Bagdad, the old highway from West to East, is in the possession of British and Indian troops. This makes it posstMe in settling terms of peace to prevent developments on the part of our enemies deigned to disturb our peace in the future.

"The land Torccs of His Majesty's Dominions beyond the seas liave been honoured with important tasks on several battlefields, and they have invariably proved that the finality of their courage, endurance, and discipline fitted them to fight beside their gallant comrades of the T3ritisli Regular Army. The Battle of the Soinme, the capture of Bnpaume. Vimy Ridge, l'afa, and the recent storming of the German lines at Messincs and Wyhchaete, in which tho troops of the various Dominions took so large a part, give assurance that in whatever further tasks may be allotted to them (hey will not; fail. All New ZenInnd has been stirred by the story of the. capture of Messincs by the brave men who left our own shores.

Submarine Warfare. "In the early part of tho present' year Germany adopted a policy of unrestricted and indiscriminate, submarine irajTare. Tho development hiis failed in its principal object of reducing Great Britain and France to submission l>y starvation: but the large addition to the number of German submarines has increased the danger to shipping and tho number of losses, with the result that the Imperial Government , has found it necessary tr> requisition for Imperial necessities ships formerly exclusively epgaged in tho carriage of produce from the Dominion* to the Mother Country. The consequent reduction of the ordinary facilities for export of New Zealand produce, especially frozen, moat, wool, butter, and cheese, has occasioned inconvenience and anxiety, and has been the subject of constant communication between my Ministers and the.lmperial Goverment. It is impossible to forecast the tonnage which will bo available for New Zealand exports., but there is reason to hope that the position way prove more satisfactory than was at one time anticipated.

"In common with every other part of the Empire, this Dominion h deeply impressed by and grateful" for the determination of the great English-speaking people of the AVVst to assist the cause of freedom and right. Tt would bo difficult to measure the material, financing and moral support which the United States has already provided, and vrill provide in the future.

The Pacific Islands. "T!io administration of tlic occupied Samoan Islands has been efficiently carried out, and there i≤ every reason to "believe that tlio Native population is happy under British control, ami has no desire to revert to the conditions which prevailed prior to the occupation by NW Zealand troops. I have recently informed my Ministers that the Secretary of State for the Colonics has assured mo that the Imperial Government fully realjse tho vital importance' to .this Dominion of tho destiny of tho German colonies in the Pacilic, and that when the time comes for decision tho fullest consideration will he given to the wishes of the New Zealand Government.

Home Affairs. "Voluntary recruiting has continued with eousiderablu success, but since last November has been insultieient iu itself to provide the reinforcementis reiiuired, and it therefore, became nocss-ary to bring the Military Service Act intu "operation. The loyal and whole-hearted support o£ the Ati by the people of this country has been of incalculable assistance to my' Ministers. The mt'ij drawn in the ballot liave also, by their ready response to the call for service,- removed most of the diflieiilties ivhicii might have been expected at the initiation of a. system without precedent in New Zealand.

"A new departure lias been made in l.hu establishment of the National Efficiency lioiiiil. The gentlemen composing the board and many others comprised in tha organisation have gratuitously given their time and exirerii-nce to the State, and I feel sure that (heir patriotic services are fully appreciated by the people of this Dominion.

fhe War Cabinet. "At Ihe invitation oi the Imperial Government, responsible stiitt'suien of tlie .Dominions and of India met recently iu Kiiiflniul to confer on the present ilifutultics ami future constitution of the {{rent Kmpire to which we belong. The attendance of my Prime Minister and the Minister of Financp at this Imperial ConVerence has enabled them to obtain in— lortnation of value to my Government and to this Dominion.

'"The presence of my Ministers with the responsible Ministers of other Dominions at meetings of the War Cabinet was au event I'cmarkablo in our history. It indicates tho recognition by the Imperial tiovernmeiit of the growth of the Dominions, the responsibilities of Empire, and the ritflit of the Dominions to representation when issues vital to their safety anil interests may bo under consideration. T have been glad within the last t.iro days to welcome home my two Ministers and their families, ami out confident: you will find the course of your deliberations simplified and facilitates! by the exom-i-iicb fhev have gained not only in Great: Hi'itnin but at the seat of war on the Western front.

Public Accounts. "Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of (he House of Representatives.— "You will find in the Public Accounts of the piist year and the Estimates lor the present year proof that economy has been, and k being, oxcrciwd in every Department of tho Stale. The war expenses must of necessity increase, but

tliis increased expenditure is essential to give olfeet to our determination that Now Zealand shall l>enr her full part until victory is gained. In the present session yon will be asked to determine what part of those expenses shall be met by loan raised within the Dominion.

Work of the Sossion. "Honourablo Gentlemen of the U'gislativo Council, aud Gentlemen of tho llouse of Representatives,— "The. existence of a National Government prohibits tho inclusion in the programme of legislation to lie proposed t» you by my Ministers of any measures other 'than finch as are necessary lo enaijli) our country lo carry out its obligation to assist in bringing the win- to an early ami .successful conclusion. You will therefore be invited to devote your attention to legislation, dealing with the present emergencies of this Dominion and of the Kinpirn as a wholo, ami the provision of means to meet out- financial obligations. "1. trust Unit Viviue Providence may guide your deliberations to the advantage of our Sovereign, of his Bmpirc, and of Ihifl Dominion." legislate iFcouncil. The legislative Council met at -.51) A. was read from Die OioveriiorCioncral stating that tho senUs of eleven members of the Council had become vacant through death, cffluxicn of time, or resignation. The Hon. W. C. I , '. Caincross had Wn roappointed a uumibpr of the Council. The Hon. W. C. !'. Carncross was ilipn sworn in by the Speaker. Tlin Council adjourned at .'I p.m. THE HOUSE. FIRST DAY'S PROOEKBI.VGS. Tliu House of Ht'iJWswiUilJves mi't at -2.o(l p.m. Mr. SI'EAKKR made announcement* to tho House regarding vacancies thai had uccurred during tho recwa—Hay of Islands, by the resignation of Mr. W. Stewart, and Hawkc's Buy, by (ho death of the lion. Dt. R. M'A'ab. Thcso vacancies had bt-en filled by the election of Mr. V. 11. Beeil for Kay of Islands and of Sir John li'imllay for llawlie's Hay. Mr. Speaker announced nUo that, tho vacant seat of Pahiatua had been filled bv the flection of Mr. George Harold Smith. Sir .lohii J'indby :ind Mr. G. 11. Smith took tho Oath of Allegiance as members of the House. Mr. G. R. Sykos and Mr. Geor"e Hunter were sponsors lor Mr. Smith, and Mr. J. V. Brown and Mr. T. K.Sidey for Sir John Findlay. NOTICES OF MOTIO.N. Jlr C. A. WILKINSON lEgniont) jpivo notice of the Abolition of Toll-gates .riill. Mr. T. K. SIDEl r (IJunedin SouiKj gave notice of tho Definition of Time A. K. NEWMAN (Wellington East) gave notice of the Temporary Employees <-!. \V. "KUSSELL (Minister of Intdi'Jial Affairs) gave notice of the Revocation of Natm-alisation Bill. Replying to a question by Mr. T. St. U The n i(iglii Hon. W. F. IIASSBY -said that he would take an opportunity during the next j'ow days of making a stutc. immt regarding shipping freights aud kindred topics. Mr. G. tt. SMITH (Paliiatiia) £avo »otico of his intention to move the Addrces-in-Keply. ■ , J .,, The Expiring Laws Contimiwii-o Bill was read a first time pro forma. QUESTIONS. Dr H. T. J. THACKEB (Chrislchiu-ch Kast) asked the Minister in Charge- of Pensions whether during tho recots Cabinet had arranged to increase tho payments to old-uge pensioners. He snid that the unprecedented, unwarranted increase in Wo cost of living mado it impossible for these okl pensioners to livo unless by tho charity of their friends ai Thc < flolT i A. M. MYERS replied that the Government had received most voluminous reports on the subject: .Lueso reports had been considered by Cabinet, and the decision in regard to them would be laid before 'tho Hoiiso in due course. Mr. T. M. AVILTOIID (Hutt) asked the Minister of Munitions whether his at-, tontion had been drawn to the regula- ( tion under the Defeuco of the RealmAct in England by which tho Minister of Munitions had power to close licensed houses either altogether or within certain hours. Ho iiskcil whether a. regulation giving tho Minister similar power in this country was in force here. The Eon. A. M. MYEKK said that ho whs fully aware of the. regulation. Up till tho present, his attention had not been drawn to the necessity for bringing the regulation iuto force iti New Zealand. Mr. Wilford: Have we a. similar regulation here?

Mr. Myers: No. SIR .lAMKS ALLEN (Minister of Defence) Paid that the Government had no powers here' similar to .those vested in the authorities at Home. Tho military could, however, declare any hotel out of bounds for soldiers, and this had been done in some cases. The House rose at 3.30 p.m.