SPEECH FROM THE THRONE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2118, 28 June 1907, Page 1

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE.

GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS TO PARLIAMENT. AN EXHAUSTIVE DOCUMENT.

WELLINGTON, last night. At the opening of Parliament the Governor rend the following address i INTRODUCTION.

Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives. —It is with pleasure that I again moot vou i n Parliament assembled. During Lie year which has intervened between this and last opening of Parliament 'Now Zealand has enjoyed in an in creasing degree blessings of widespre ad and solidly-based prosperity. It is a matter for universal gratification that, judged by all recognised tests of progress, wealth, population, and social improvement, New Zealand has advanced faster during the

last ten years than during any previous decade of its history; and it is equally gratifying to note that tho futuro promises a continuance of the prosperous time we at present enjoy. I regret to say that since I last addressed you death has removed ou>i of my advisors —the late Hon. Albert Pitt who held tho offico of AttorneyGeneral. Wo have also to deplore the doath of tho late Hon. Wm. Bolt and the Hon. Lancelot Walker of tho Legislative Council, and Mr. M. M. Ivirkbride and Mr. E. M. Smith, of the House of Representatives, all of whom had rendered long and valuable services in the conduct of public affairs. The last loss this colony has sustained is by the death of tho late Hon. Sir John Hall, K.C.M.G., ono of the-veterans of our public life, who in the active days of his political career was a distinguished member of botli branches of the Legislature. Ho crowned his public life by occupying with conspicuous success tho position of Prime Minster of this colony. To fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Pitt’s death I summoned Dr. J. G. Findlay to the Legislative Council, and appointed him Attorney-General and Colonial Secretary. In the belief that a knowledge of the land and harbors .of the colony and its outlying islands is to some degree essential to a satisfactory discharge of tho duties* of his Majesty’s representative, I have during tlio recess made an extended tour throughout the colony, and visited tho Snares, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands, Antipodes, Bounty Islands, and Chatham Islands. The general result of these visits has been to further reveal to me not only the extraordinary natural resources and advantages of the country, but the unfailing -and universal loyalty of its people to. his Majesty the King. The earthquake catastrophes which lately occurred at Valparaiso and Jamaica roused much sympathy in New Zealand, and at the request of my advisers I sent messages to that effect op behalf of our Government and people. I regret to say that the earthquake at Jamaica claimed as one of its victims the late Rt. Hon. Sir Jas. Ferguson, a former Governor of New Zealand.

The Council of Defence provided for by the Defence Act Amendment Act, 1906, has been set up, ajul my -advisers are of the opinion that good results will follow from bringing the volunteer officers into closer and more direct touch with the defence administration. A squadron of the Emperor of Jaj>an visited New Zealand recently, and it being the occasion of a visit of a squadron of our ally, the Admiral, his officers, and his men were warmly welcomed and treated with a kindness and hospitality worthy of our nation’s traditions.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. The year has been marked by two important conferences which have been held in London. At the conference of Prime Ministers of the self-governing oversea dominions, New Zealand was represented by Sir Joseph Ward. A full report of the proceedings will bo placed before you. I agree with my advisers that although much that was attempted remains unachieved, yet much was accomplished in the interest of the '(Empire. On the important question of fiscal preference the Imperial Government were uuablo to accept the proposals of the oversea representatives. The subject, moreover, was fully and clearly discussed, and my advisers are of opinion that the result will be for good in clearing the air in removing many prejudice's and misunderstandings that as yet cloud the issue. In treating other matters brought fOl ward tho Home Government showed every desire to co-operate in measures to promote Imperial unity, and in particular promised to give full consideration to a suggestion by tho Prime Minister in favor of reducing postal and telegraph rates, reducing the Suez Canal dues., and quickening mail services.

NEAV HEBRIDES. . ■ The British Government invited the Prime Ministers of the Commonwealth and New Zealand to nominate British representatives on an AngloFrench sub-Convention, then shortly to be held for the purpose of settling certain matters of detail under the. existing. New Hebrides Convention, and. on the recommendation of niy Prime Minister, the Solicitor-General of New Zealand, Dr. Fitclictt, was appointed.

THE PREMIER HONORED, i The attention showered upon the Visiting Prime Ministers give gratifjing profs of the kindly feelings with which the oversea dominions' are regarded in tlie United Kingdom, m tho case of Sir Joseph Ward His Majesty caused him to be sworn in as oiie of his Privy Council. The corporations of London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Bristol admitted mm to the freedom of their cities, and the universities of Edinburgh and Dublin conferred upon him the lionoiaiy degree of Laws. 'COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION. As an outcome of the discussion at the conference it is understood that the Imperial authorities Will arrange that the self-governing dejiendencies will in future be administered separately from the Crown colonies. Inclusive of dependencies there are no less than thirty-three colonies of the Crown. In this connection it will, 1 feel sure, bo gratifying to you and your people generally to learn that in compliance with representations made by Sir J. Ward, the British /-i V nflviCA

Government is prepared to advise His Majesty to raise the status or New Zealand by changing the designation from “colony” to “dominion.” • Upon being requested so to do by resolution of Parliament, a motion to this effect will be submitted. If carried the effect will be to place New -Zealand in a higher position in the eyes of tho wqrld. THE EXHIBITION.

i The New Zealand International Exhibition was formally closed by me on lotli April. The results more than fulfilled expectations,;.the total attsndance being nearly two millions. My Ministers are satisfied that the net dost to the public Treasury is more than compensated by the many direct and indirect advantages which New Zealand gained by the undertaking quite irrespective of the (lirect financial receipts consequent on the influx. oEdvisitors and custom duties. The exhibits sold iu tho Exhibition served to bring into prominence the advantages and resources-of New Zealand, and also had a great-educative influence. ' -

AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS. ■ The. industries;-science, and art.circumstances and position of New Zea-. laud make, and will probably always make, our. agricultural and pastoral interest' the paramount concern of the whole community. My'adviiers feel that already the" extensive machinery of the- Agricultural Depart-..

mout will bo still further developed with material benefit to our settlers by spreading more ■gjidely the hicst recent scientific knowledge and productive processes in all kinds of fri m. ing. To this end an experimental dairy school and other,methods nf instruction will bo instituted, l'wo objects will be kept in that of ensuring the highest grade ol excellence in our products; and secondly, that of protecting our farmers and country generally against injury resulting from inferior products being fraudulently sold as thoso of New Zealand.

THE MINING INDUSTRY

The mining industry in the.widest meaning of tho term probably ranks second in importance of that of agin cultural and pastoral, and it is gratifying to know that it is progressing upon a solid and legitimate basis. The gold entered for exportation last year amounted to £2,270,904, lung a large increase on that of the previous year’s output. My advisers will ask for■ authority to assist end promote on safe lines the development of this great industry, vlncli in all its briinchcs now gives employment to so many thousands of our people.

SHIPPING INTERESTS. My Prime Minister also attended the Maritime Conference of delegates representing the shipping interest? of die United Kingdom, the Common wealth, and New Zealand. Full ni'iiutes of tho proceedings will bo laid before you, and from thorn \ou mil see that many important subjects wore discussed, and in some cases a satisfactory understanding was come to on points upon which diilicu.ty and friction existed. My advisers are pleased to find that British shipowners had but little obje-iii in. to urge against the New Zealand Shipping and Seajnen’s. Act, .or. the l an nor in which the Marine Dep irt-n nit administered it. There are-:j:np natively few cases, however, where legislation is necessary in order to give effect to the resolutions of the Conference. An amending Bill will he submitted for your consideration.

WORKMEN’S HOMES

You will be asked to make nirtiier provision for workmen’s homes, so that a smaller proportion ot v age: earned by city workers will have to be spent in rent. THE POPULATION.

The results of last census have now bon definitely ascertained. Tho population of New Zealand, excluding

members of the Maori race, amount:, to 888,579, showing a very satisfactory increase (115,859) over the ccnisus (of JI9OI. THE ELECTORATES. The Representation Commission lias considered the necessary re-division of electoral districts, and has forwarded to me its report, which will be presented to you. LAND LEGISLATION.

Bills dealing compreneusivcly with the important question of our land system will be submitted to you .at an early date. The problem ot how the totatc should deal with the vast-areas ot native land- m the North island sp as to open as much of it to European settlement us is consistent with the fullest regard to the interests of the native owners has .perplexed many past Administrations, and my advisers, feeling that the first step to permanent solution of this problem is full and reliable knowledge of tile facts and conditions involved have, during the recess, advised mo to appoint a Royal Commission, consisting of tho Chief Justice and Mr. A. T.

Ngata, M.H.R., and the Commission has accordingly been set up to investigate the land requirements for the maintenance of native owners and of the native race throughout the colony and also to ascertain what area of such native land can with full justice to tiie native- owners, be made available for European settlement. This Commission lias been actively engaged in pursuit of its duties for some months, and the result of its labors will be laid before you at an early date. It is proposed to introduce legislation based upon the material supplied by the reports of this Commission,securing to the native owners such land as they require, and making available for European settlement tile surplus above these requirements.

FINANCE. Sir. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives. —The estimates of revenue and expenditure for tho year will be placed before you. They have been framed with due regard both to efficiency and economy. The accounts show a very substantial surplus on the year’s transactions. So far this year the receipts are ill excess of the corresponding period of last year.

RECIPROCAL TRADE.

My advisors believe that a judicious system of reciprocal tariff treaties with other portions of the. Empire will benefit not only New Zealand but tho Empire generally. A provisional treaty has been entered into witli South Africa, subject, of course, to confirmation by Parliament, and will be submitted for consideration. Accordingly’,whilst in London tlie Prime Minister discussed with Sir Wilfrid Laurier the question of a tariff treaty between this country’. and Canada. Negotiations are. now in progi'fess, the results of which,- if they take practical form, will be submitted to you in ■due course.

SETTLEMENT AND RAILWAYS, i A vigorous promotion of closer settlement ami energetic construction ol main railway lines now in hand will be tlic cardinal objects of our policy. My advisers will work to secure the completion of the North Island Main Trunk railway by the end of next year. My Ministers are fully alive to the hardships of our-settlers, especially those in the backblocks consequent upon the want of access to their holdings. You will be asked to

make liberal provision for the construction of roads, telephones, and such other conveniences as may render the good work done by these settlers less irksome and trying than it has been in the past. CCSTOMSi -REVISION. Horn Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Kepresentatives.—My advisers ar e of opinion that it will be a great benefit to the trading community if tli e Customs tariff were revised and simplified. A measure dealing with this matter will be submitted to you and provision be made for lightening taxation as far as possible on the necessaries of life.

THE CIVIL SERVICE. My advisers fully appreciate tlie necessity for procuring for the ranks of the Civil Service men of the best ability and qualifications. The good results which have been achieved in our Post and Telegraph Department bv its scheme of classification led my advisers to prepare for submission to you an extension of the system to other branches of the public service. Proposals pealing with a superannuation scheme for the Civil Service also received the careful consideration of Ministers and will be. submitted to you.

ARBITRATION ACT. During the recess a Judge has been appointed under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act of last year, and according to t-lie terms of that Act he is devoting the whole of liis time to the work of industrial disputes and other labor matters,with the result that the arrears existing at the time of his appointment will shortly entirely disappear. Some amendments supplying machinery to the effective operation of tho Act will be submitted. COMPENSATION FOR ACCIDENTS. Mv advisers think that the time lias arrived to extend th_e benefit of the .Workers’ Compensation for Acci- • dents’ Act to those engaged in our industries, and a Bill will be submitted

to you for this purposo; also making nioro definite tho means of ascertainment of tho compensation payable. MAIL SERVICE.

Tho discontinuance of tlio ’Frisco mail service has left Now Zealand without an expeditions oversea steam service to England. Tlio necessity for this country maintaining closo association with tho United Kingdom is keenly felt, and it is of the utmost importance to all classes of tho community that this want should be remedied as early and effectively as possible. My advisers hope that a practical solution of the difficulty will be devised. In such event proposals will he submitted for your consideration.

DEVELOPING TRADE. Tlio development of our trado with other countries has been under consideration by my, advisors. They are earnestly seeking, means of more cheaply reaching our best market and opening up and extending now markets for some of our largest products. The importance to our producers of being able to compete with the products of other lands makes cheap and expeditious means Of transit all important, and careful consideration lias been given- to'this matter. Stops will he .taken to further its objects.

GENERAL LEGISLATION

The law relating to local bodies, especially in regard to their borrowing powers, is uncertain and unsatisfactory,, and a measure dealing with this and other branches of local government will be submited to you in due course. Bills dealing with the gambling .evil, secret commissions, mental hospitals, fire brigades, shops ancr offices, pure foods, and other* important matters will be introduced. CONCLUSION.

I aui satisfied you will bring to all tho matters I have brought under your notice and to other measures which are to be submitted to you your earnest consideration and best judgment,and 1 trust your labors and decisions may have God’s blessing, resulting in still furthering the prosperity, happiness, and permanent ivell-being of tile people of this colony as a whole.