THE SESSION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 286, 29 August 1919, Page 8

THE SESSION

GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S SPEECH j THE WAR AND PARLIAMENT THE GOVERNMENT'S BILLS COAL AND ELECTRIC POWER The sixth session of the nineteenth Parliament of New Zealand was opened yesterday by the Governor-General, who VK'.d tho following Speooh to the members of the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives: Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— ( I last addresed you at tho opening of your fifth session of the present Parliament on October 24, 1918. Though the victory of the Allies appeared to be as-vui-cd, one only of our enemies, Bulgaria, had then laid down its amis and submitted to accept any terms which the Allies might dictate. • > From that date onward until November 12, 1918, when the news was received of the signing ot tho armistice with Germany, our enemies, in swift succession sued for peace. The invitation of the Imperial Government to this Dominion to send its representatives to the Conference constituted to de.termino the terms'of pence to be imposed met with n ready response from both Houses of this Parliament, and mj Prime Minister and Minister of Finance left immediately after the close of your last session to attend that Conference and to take a not unimportant part in the deliberations of -that great asemblage of statesmen. You will be able to gather from papers which will be laid More you that New Zealand, with tho other great self-governing Dominions of the British Empire, has been accorded a status by the Allied nations which marks the beginning of a new era in our national history. | , , Your present Parliament, the members of the Houso of Representatives for 'which wero elected in tho year 19U, a few months after the beginning of the Great War, would have, in the ordinary course expired at the end of the year 1917. Its existence has been prolonged by statute until tho end of this year, ■ and therefore, with theexception of the occupation of German Samoa and of .tho dispatch of the first Expeditionary Force to Egypt and Gallipf'li, all the great events of the war specially affecting New Zealand 'have taken place during the existence of the present Parliament, which has been, called upon to deal .with the affairs of the Dominion under unexampled difficulties. By the extension at the wish of the Sovereign of my own term of office I have had tho honour of being.His Majesty's representative during the whole period of the war, and, looking 'back with you over those years of trial, I feel that I may join you in the proud memory tha't this Dominion has never faltered in its determination to give and continue us support to the utmost of its power to the cause of the Empire, that no promise made by New Zealand to the ■ Imperial Government remains unfulfilled by this Parliament and the Government of this Dominion, and that our anchors have, by their splendid courage, discipline, and conduct won a name for themselves and a place for No* Zealand in the annals of the greatest of wars. I am sure you will join with me in the deepest sympathy with those whose- sons and relatives have fallen, and with the iriany who have returned maimed ami wounded to their homes. My Ministers recognise that the first duty of Government and of Parliament in the new era ot peace is to tho men who have fought for us and to the relatives of tho men who have fallen in our service. You will be invited at as early a date as possible, by resolution of both Houses, i to ratify tho treaty with Germany and to accept' the irandatc of tho Lenguo ot Nations for government and administra- . tion by Now Zealand ofthat part of the Sainoan Group which was formerly under German rule. My Ministers are confident that you will not fail to undertake the responsibilities which those provisions of , tho Treaty of Peace impose upon a mandatory Government, and they hope to bo able to submit during your present session in statutory form the methods proposed for the establishment of a now scheme of government for those islands under the control of New Zealand. During tho past throo years your legislation has been confiued to urgent matters arising from tlie war and to minor, amendments of existing general and local statutes. My Ministers recognise that,'as there remain only four months of tho life of.the present Parliament, and as your ' session must, therefore, be of short durai tion, the legislation to be submitted for I your consideration-should bo limited to j matters of urgency which cannot be ppstI ponod for the consideration of the new . I Parliament. Although tho work of re- ' I patriation and training of returned soli iliors has proceeded smoothly and sntis- ! factorily, the measures which you have i passed in previous tessions providing for I repatriation and for assistance to soldiers in various occupations, aud epecially for tho acquisition of land for their settleI ment, have in some respects proved to be j insufficient, amendments of the exj lstiug laws on these subjects have been i prepared and will bo submitted to you', j Tho Mortgages Extension Act and its ! amendments expire on August 31, and ! require immediate attention, and you J will be asked to pass with as little delay

as possible an Expiring Laws Continuance Act, "\vhicli will extend the operation of those Acts tor'a further period. You will later be requested to consider an amending and. consolidating' Act continuing for n certain period tho existing limitations upon the powers of mortgagees, and defining a. time when these limitations may be-safely removed. Bills amending the Government' Railways Act, the labour laws, the Workers' Dwellings Act, tho Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act, the land laws, the Mining Act, the (.'oal-minos Act, the Chattels Transfer Act, the Post and Telegraph Act, and others have been prepared for your consideration.

You will doubtless be pleased to learn that the Lake Coleridgu hydro-electric ficheme continues to be a success. Steps

are being taken to complete those works to enable the extension of the benefits throughout Canterbury. Initiatory steps are hoing taken in regard to the Mangahao and Arapuiii schemes. The purchase of Hir. Ilornhora plant and transmission lines from the Wailii Gold Aiiniug Co. iias liecn satisfactorily completed. The acquisition of tho Horahora , installation will enablo tho farniois of the Wnikato and surrounding districts, and the borouglis ;iiid factories, to bo supplied with electric power as soon as reticulation lines can bo oreotod.

New Zealand lias not entirely escaped tho unreal which'is prevalent in. many other countries of the world and which is the aftermath of tho Great War, but I am confident that tho good sense and industry of the citizens of the Dominion will more than counteract any attempts to spread tho pernicious doctrines which lijivo proved .so mischievous in certain European countries. Tho failure of supply of coal line caused my Government much anxiety during tho recess, end my Ministers trust that you will find lime sufficient to enablo you to consider fully the position. Tho shortage ha-s beer, due to two causes: Firstly, the reduction of the output from New Zealand mines; and, secondly, tho (liflioulty oi' supplementinf; that supply by cargoes from Australia. There is now good around for hope that one of the reasons which has pre.vatiteil impart from Australia ma;; be shortly removed, but deficiency of shipping exists, and -to ii certain extent must for tiie present continue. My Minister* view with anxiety thu conditions which leave this Dominion dependent Mpun sources ot supply of coal from other countries. At the present moment tho frciezin;,' chamIwrs are full of meat tlio properly of the Imperial Government, on account of which millions of money have been paid l>y that Government, ami ovory obligation (of honour mid duly miuircs that wliili> such iiiont' rfiiinins in storo coal shall bo supplied for l!io eflieieift contiimous'working of the frcczinj; m:icluncry. ft has linen round aUsolutcly necessary to out down the railway sor»iee to an extent which has caused great

inconvenience to the public and loss to the industries of tho Dominion. The loss of revenue consequent upon that reduction line been most serious, but that loss constitutes by no means the principal ground of the present anxiety of the Government. The eupply for every household has been necessarily curtailed to a limit which 'lias caused general inconvenience and considerable suffering (luring the winter months. My Ministers hope' that some satisfactory basis 01 arrangement may be arrived at under which, by increasing the production of existing mines and opening new mines, the Dominion may become self-reliant in the provision of coul for its industries and its homes. Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— ' The sums granted by Parliament for repatriation and land settlement of our soldiers have been found ,to 'be wholly insufficient to meet the requirements. My Ministers have felt that it is impossible to delay the process, and they have therefore in anticipation ot your support expended moneys and entered into obligations largely in excess of tho amounts authorised. My Ministers do not doubt that you will confirm that action and will grant the very large tiirther supply which is necessary to enable the country* to fulfil its obligations to the men of Forces and to the relatives of those who died in our service. The public throughout the Dominion has united in the endeavour, by the cordiality of welcome to every transport carrying returned soldiers, to emphasise the general sentiment that what o'iv soldiers have done for us demands in return from us the utmost that we can do for them. Such obligations cannot be mr-t wholly from revenue, and my Ministers do not doubt that you will cheerfullv grant them the borrowing powers they will propose, and confer your authority'to raise the necessary moneys. 'With regard to the ordinary revenue and expenditure, you will find that the authority granted in your last session has enabled my Government to carry on the business of the oountry beyond the period when in ordinary years supply ceases. Fortunately both the collection of revenue and the expenditure on public earvices till a late day in the present month have been under the control of the Government formed in the. year 1915 by agreement of the two principal political parties and my Ministers therefore confidently anticipate your''confirmation in respect of' that past, period. The estimates for the remaining part of the year ending March ol next have 'been largely prepared under tho supervision of the Ministers lately controlling the several Departments, and will be submitted to voi by my present Ministers, subject to surth revision as is possible within the very close limit of time available to them for'the purpose.

Honourabje Gentlemen of the Legislative Council— I congratulate you oii the occasion of vour assembling for the, first time in this chamber. Though you will not be able te hold your deliberations of the present session here, I trust that this place may, before your next session, be so fitted and equipped as to bo fit for the due performance of your important duties. Honourable Gentlemon of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemon of the House of Representatives,— The visit of the Admiral of the Fleet, Viscount Jellicoe, to , New ' Zealand is •an event of far more than ordinary importance. Ono pnrt of the great trust imposed upon him by the Imperial Government is that; of considering the subject of tho naval defouce of the Commonwealth, and of this Dominion and offering advice* , to the respective Governments. Tho wider subject of the British interests in the Pacific, and provision for thqir general defence and protection, will also have his consideration. The appointment of one so distinguished for the purpose marks the importance of the duties entrusted to him. My Ministers trust that his inquiries and reports will hiivo the efl'ect of removing many difficulties, and of enabling both the Imperial Government and the Dominions concerned to more clearly appreciate the dangers of the present and tho future and the best means of united preparation to meet them. . . During the recess I paid an official vmt, accompanied by the Hon. Dr. Pomare, i Minister in Charge, to the Cook Islands, [ including Nine. I was received everywhere with grent cordiality both by Natives and Europeans, and was glncl to note .many improvements effected in the Islands si'ncp my first visit in the year 19W, especially in the increase bf facili- | ties for education of the Niitives. At the request of the Imperial Government I proceeded thence to Samoa, where I also met with a cordial reception from the Natives of those Islands. . I desire ! to rpcord the gratitude of myself and ! my Government for the hospitality acI corded to me and to the Hon. Dr. Pomare I liy thp Governor of American Samoa at ! Pflgo Pago, and T>v His , Excellency the ■ Governor of Fiji at Suva. It was necesI saw to caM at both of these 'poits for conling purnoses. '[ commend the matters to whH» I have referred to your earnest consideration, and I trust that Diviro Providence may guide you in your deliberations. '