Second Edition. The Governor's Speech.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 28 June 1910, Page 3

Second Edition. The Governor's Speech.

——* A CENTURY'S WORK FORESHADOWED.

ALSO SOME LIKELY LEGISLATION.

Fe,r public information, the Preini. r (Sir Joseph Ward) has favoured the various daily newspapers llTOi'ghout New Zealand with adi, ;in<\i copies of tli"-. 1 ■-•pei-adi didivered this afternoon at die opening of Parliament. Lord i> linnten's speeefi began as follows :

liuiuiirable Gentlemen, of the L li-isbitive Council and Gentlemen of the House of Hc.presentaU'ives.-

Il.a\iug been appointed Jiy His Mot Gracious Majesty as his representative in Xew Zealand, it gives in;' gnat pleasure to meet you new for the first time in Parliament assembled. The very warm .and eii-ihusi'c-.ri" welcome aeeorde'd me upon my lauding was a .'■lining awl stilling evidence of Xew Zealand's loyi:ilt.\ and devotion to His Majesty's throne and person, and I personally \i ry much appreciated the kind words of welcome extended to me .as his representative. I look forward with groat pleasure to making myself acquainted, with the dominion, its people, and its resource-:-; and witmssing, when my other duties permit the world-famed scenery ol riis iiiiteresting co'iiutry. It is only a few weeks since the British nation had to deplore the death it his late Givtcious Majesty King Edward VII., an event both profound in effect and appalling in suddenness. On his demise a throb of grief went forth throughout the civilised world. o:>r late sovereign's life was a ."■trei: 1 :;:;r on-', and 'vs-ccivtai't d' sire w is to promote the best iWtencsts of ': •■• pt-pie :he anight iiureiu-'titiiigly to niamt-iiu their liberties and improve their conditions. In his (k-v-ith f!-' w'.d-ld (in losin.g the greatest fri:nd of peaca 1 ) has suffered iii.--.ii 1cuh.bh' loss. He died loved and rcM-re-l bv his subjects, and the n"-.:i"Ty of his works will live for '■vci- in our hearts." After some i':i id her references to the sad event.

••"•I to Hip :k-;t'."-'!oii nf His Gc-rge V. to the throne, Lord Islington went on to say that it would "ii■■■ him great pleasure to -wist in ■riving effect to the will of the nvnc'c. and to the promo'ition of their l-ighe-t aspirations and ideals. nxAxcr.vL recovery. It gives me special ]>leasure at I'lis. tix-i commencement of my -ciiii of office, to he ?.ble to ooilgr :li:. : !ate urn upon the splendid rei!i\.M.v this dominion has made from 'the recent financial depression \\': : !i af!';--hd it, in common.with tli. j rest oil' the world. It is gratifying to recognise the continued and marked improvement wihich is i vidrnord in both the public finances and the industries of the dominion, and probably is fair to say tlnait New Zealand is now in as sound and prosperous a condition as sho bias been at 'any time during her history. Tn this connection it is iinferrsting to n-oM'-e that the value of our prodhicit for last year exceeds that of the previous twelve months by a, sum nf upwards of six millions of pounds sterling. CLOS KII SETTLEMENT. During the last twelve nionths the •ilio'Kvlbm and settlement of Crown lands and of all lands purchased from illative own.rrs, and also from European owners under the Land for Settlements' Act have continued with more than usual energy. Tim out aft and increasing; demand foi land bv bona fide small settlers is oonclim've proof of the need of the closer land settlement policy of /■bis dominion', and nf the for procuring by every resonirce Hvthiu the powers cf Government the necessary land to reasonably s-.trsifv this increasing demand. The purchase of native lands for European settlement has bren carried on with as much exoedition as possible and as far as the financial limits fixe'd bv law permitted. Tt is gratifving to that native owners throughout New Zealand, who have s-irplus land for disposal are evidencing .a spirit of friendly eo-oprr-?,t:nn with the new Maoni Land Board, and with .rnher staitnt~"v agents, in mak.'.nig their surplus lands !>v,aihl>!o for Eurcpea.n settlement. On the areas retained for thpir own use ind occupation, the settlement of the Maori owners is proceeding more vigoirnlusly than at airy pi'iavious period of the history of the

M>aori face. The Nivtivo Land Act, which camo inlto on the 31st March last, made radical and important changes in the .pre-existing native kind law, and although tho Act lias been in operation barely threo months, tlie msu,lts so far promise that wbaiti was expccted on the passing of that iiiipciit>nlift statute in tho direction of facilitating and expediting tho direct acquisition o.f surplus native land ii.v European settlers will he realised. IMPROVING CQMMI'NICATIOXS. It bas been foilnd • d< l i skivtble for the sake of both the public and the eonnmr.reial ill ti* resits of Mi is dominion to promote communication willlh Australia diiul some. of tibe South Pacific Islands hy meatus of wireless telegraphy, and arrangements have been made to achieve tluis cud. The necessity for imp roving oonimunioat ion with hack blocks settle in cuts in tiljiis co'ii'iiltry is increasingly recognised. FrxAxeu. The oporaition. of the Now Zealand State Guaranteed Advances Act paslast session ha.H already had beneficial rtsiilts, though some further amendments are neceswarv. The. last year's returns of public revenue lim'o he-en eminently satisfactory. Amalgamation and ro.orga:tiisaltioii of departure ills liave heeii effected, and the saving:-', contemplated will be substantially realised. The Death Duties Act. of la«t vr:ir lias been found to work effectively and Km not lily, and will produce the additional revenue which was eo-nlt-e inflated .at tilie time of its being passe;!. EORESIT A DOAYIXG 1 /KG TSLA - TfON. Negotiations are at present proeoediiing with a view to giving better and closer mail services w'tl: Great Britain. CoinKt-ipioiit upon tl'.e recommendations made by Lni'd Kitcheiifr Parliament will be. asked to give consideration to amendments of the Defence Act of last yt'ar. a noxrs fop babes? Legislation will be introduced to afford relief in proper cases to tihe l':;mcs upon which the burden ana spouses of maternity now fall heavily 'and, a provision will lie made whereby (ilie Mate will, in cases where the breadwinner earns only a small wage, make a substantial contribution towards this relief. The Xdioniil Annuities Mill of last year, with some amendments, will be introduced. Further attention has b 'sii given !t-o the very important <1 .•-esition of local government, and |; -aposals will Ik j , submitted for approval as the basis of a comprehensive measure upon the subject. 14 it considered necessary fur the prnt:: -tion of the people as a whole that i ffectivo nilti-Ti'iist legislation should be placed on our Statute P ;ok. and a Bdl for that purpose h s been ]>rejt; red. SPOON FEEDING FOPELEOTOPS. It. has been recognised till afc in a c -niocivitiie country the names of a'! those entitle:! to exercise the franchise should be upon, the eleet; ral rolls. r l*bis result, it is found, can net be secured by leaving ei-.rolnient to voluntary initiative, a '.I it has been decTiTed to introduce a provision into our electoral law w'.iereby suitable persons will be appointed to insure the enrolment of all adults entitled to the franchise. Hills amending or consolidating t' ■ law with regard to land tenure. 1 : " n a nee Land and Income Assesslr nt. Gaming. Destitute Persons, V niieipal Corporations. Cni'Wii f: its, I'nblic Holidays, Mental llos-p'-'.als. Harbour Hoards. Native I?e----s i'ves. X'ative Townships. Rating on X 'tive Lauds, Faefones. Shops and 0 (ices. Companies. Criminal Apr ;ls. Baukruptev. Libel 'and Slandr, Indecent Literature, Secret C uimission.s. Silver Coinage. Trnniw'vs, Education, Noxious Weeds, ar l other important matters will be ir "rnduced ; also a measure to p: r•i! of past iiudil of 11'ibliic accounts.