OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1923, Page 3

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

[bv TELEGRAPH PER DRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, June 14. The weather is dull and grey, and heavy showers are now falling which promise to interfere considerably with the outdoor ceremonies connected with the opening of Parliament this afternoon. COVER NOIL’S SPE ECU. (Per favor of Government.) WELLINGTON, June 14. His Excellency the Governor-Gene-ral, Lord Jellicoe, delivered the following speech at the opening of Parliament to-day : Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the House, of Representatives—During the recess, the marriage of His Royal Highness, the Duke of York, has been s: 1omnisod. This happy event once mere called forth manifestations of tho loyalty and affection felt by the people of the Empire for their Majesties and, the Royal Family. On bohaJi of the people of this Dominion I sent messages of congratulation to the King and to His Royal Highness on the occasion.

THE REASON WHY. Acting upon the advice ot my Ministers I have convened Parliament tor a date somewhat earlier than is customary, in order t-liat more time may lie afforded for the work of the session, in the event of your determining that my Prime Minister should attend the Imperial Conferences in London, which are to commence on •or about the first dav of October.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. My Ministers consider that only gave, urgenev in the domestic a flairs of our Dominion could excuse the absence of the Prime .Minister of N.Z. from the Conlereuees called by tue Prime Minister of Great Britain, lor the consideration of matters which concern the Empire of which it is our privilege to be a" integral part. Ihe divergence ot interest ami of policy in the various self-governing countries, which constitute the Empire must in the future, as in the past, cieate d,facilities which can only he disposed ol bv that personal exchange ol views w 'hich is provided by meeting of the Prime Ministers.

Steadily but surely methods are being evolved from the Imperial Conferenres 1 w which the self-governing countries constituting the Empire may preserve tlioir union under a common Sovereign without climimiii--n of the complete autonomy of each within its own boundaries. The process demands the vigilant attention ol every I lime .Minister ill the general purpose of the Conference. Of almost equal importance, involves the relation of the Dominions in the foreign policy ol the Empire and the provision ol opportunity for confidential disem-ion of present problems and probable events o! the near future, so that the Empire mnv continue to be united in a single

purpose when its existence or its inreicsts are assailed. By its position in the Pacific Ocean, by its government of distant islands, and by its administration of Western Samoa, under the King’s acceptance of the mandate ol th L . League of Nations, it is intimately concerned with (ortr.in aspects of the British Foreign policy, and its Prime Minister has therefore important duties in that pari of the work of the Conference.

In addition to his share in determining the internal relations between the countries of the 'Empire and the commercial and legislative a~pc l- o. e\e!\ proposal highly, important di-eussn.us in naval, military and air deleiice will also take 1 lace. WESTERN SAMOA. The fust report by I la- N.Z- Government of the administration ol Western Samoa under the League < i Nation" i-nnsidered bv Die I bird assembly of 0,0 League ln,t .war and rc.-on ed

enmiiiciidation from tlm Commission appointed under the terms ol the t"t cnant- to advise the Council of Hie League. The procedure of that Cmnmission and certain criticisms contained in its report especially in relation to Nauru Islands (in "bi.li ls also concerned) led to protests by the N.Z. delegates at the Assembly again-t a method which creates an impression that the N.Z. administration rs the mandatory power is subject to public comment from subordinate commissions appointed by the Council of the League. . . Mv Ministers are clearly of opinion that no Government which has accepted a mandate under the League can submit to public criticism of its administration or its conduct from any other body than the Conned, though the Mandatory Commission is Iren to advise the Council in any terms it thinks (it. The responsibility ol control is conferred by the Covenant upon the Council of the League, not upon its committees and the Council nl nc lias the authority to determine vl.tibor the criticisms of the Commission are justified and whether public commenl on every detail of such criticism is desirable in the ] üblie interest. H is a. matter for .satisfaction that the mandated territory of western Samoa continues to make steady advnn:enient under N.Z. control. The relations between the inhabitants of both European and native and the administration are showing a very satisfactory im-

provement. The result of our share in the control of the phosphate deposits of Nauru has been satisfactory and the demmd in New Zealand tor phosphate lock has increased. The quota to which N. Z. is primarily entitled, namely 10 per cent., has been approximately utilised

during the past year. COMPILATION OF STATISTICS. A 'mention has been given to the recess to the important woik of compilation of statutes, but the process has been somewhat delayed b.v the necessity for the services of an additional Judge of tl’.e Supreme Court, and the temporary appointment of the Compdei of Statutes, the Hon. Sir Frederick Chapman to that office. COMING BILLS. Bills consolidating the Companies’ \< ts the Chattels Transfer Act. the l.and and Income Tax Act. the Harbours' Act. and the Stamp Laws, will be laid before you. The very difficult and important work of consolidating the Dominion Land Laws has also been undertaken, and as the result a lengthy and elaborate measure will be submit-

ted for your consideration. Last year all Act was passed in the Imperial Parliament dealing at great length with • he subject of simplification of the laws relating to title to land in this Dominion. There are. two distinct but concurred systems of title and tenure, namely : the land transfer system_and the conveyancing and deeds registry system. With regard to the latter system the law is founded upon the Laud Laws of England before 18411, as modified first by the conveyancing ordinance and later bv our Property Law Consolidation Act. 1998. In some respects the recent English Act by its amendments of the law creates further c-dler-once between the law relating to title and eonvevaiicing in N.Z. and that rmin England. Mv Government has given full consideration to this subject and has decided to submit to ton legislation which will have the effect cf bringing the titles to all lands m New Zealand under the provisons of tae Lands Transfer Act within a period of ten vears. The method of Deeds Registry lias already produced sum a multiplication of volumes and records as to render search against incumbrances difficult. The proposal necessarily involves a temporary jssito of provisiona.

certificates of title where surveys are incomplete or titles defective, but ' a limit of time is provided after which the provisional certificate shall become absolute, unless contested.

WHALING. The possesson by New Zealand and by Great Britain of ports and localities where whaling vessels concentrate has induced the hope that some effective moans of controlling that ontcupiiso with due regard to tho interests of foreign vessels engaged therein may he divided . . , , 1 hope that it may be possible to lay before you during your present session correspondence which has recently taken place between His -Majesty s Government and my Government on this subject. IMMIGRATION.

During the past year immigration for Great Britain has progressed satisfactorily, special facilities being extended to farmers, farm labourers and all classes of skilled artisans required for secondary industries. Under the Empire Settlement Act provision was made enabling the Imperial Government to co-operate in furthering Btitish settlement in his Majesty's Dominions, and my Ministers hate boon able to arrange for a very low scale of passage rates, winch should be the means of inducing I lie steady How of British immigrants to our shore- without disturbing the industrial conditions of the Dominion. Acquisition by foreigners <»f the stains of British subjects within New Zealand, by the process of naturalisation has demanded careful consideration, and a measure will he submitted to you repealing the Aliens A cl, 1908, and its amendments, and sub-tituling a new law incorporating certain provisions ol the Imperial Act, of 1911, hut excluding the adoption of Part 2 of that Act, which provides that naturalisation in any part of the Empire should colder the rights of a British subject in every other part. My Government, after full discussion with the Imperial Government has decided to ask the New Zealand Parliament, to adhere to the principle which lias prevailed hitherto, that the rights of a British subject in New Zealand which include the exercise of the franchise, shall he acquired only by such foreigners a- have resided foi some considerable time in New Zealand. and have proved h.v their conduct during thal residence that they arc lit j versons to share with us in the Government of the Dominion.

OBITUARY. I deep!v regret, that since I lasi met you the Dominion lias lost through death the valuable services of Sir William Herbert Merries, a member of the Executive Council, and for many years a very highly respected member of the New Zealand Parliament.

Air Speaker, and Genl lemon of tho Mouse of Represent at i ves :- - I In* result of the linaneial year ending on the Jlsl March lasi have been extremely salisfactorv. The reduction in cxpendituie as compared with Ibe previous year amounted to L‘2.21)3,1b- V , ami uothwithstauding the remissions in taxation granted by Parliament last year the revenue lias exceeded the estimate bv 1'1.329,1 13. The result is a surplus of actual revenue over actual expenditure of C1,315.55;L Ii is gratifying to have so substantial a proof of the prosperity of the country generally and ol' the success of its industry. Evidence of the Dominion’s credit is, in addition, alfnrded by the terms ol the loan limited in Loudon in Ihe lnoulli of May for the sum of lour million pounds at the rate ol four per cent, i-stied at ninety-two. The loan was largely over subscribed and the reduction in the rale ol interest ensures a substantial relief of the burden of our revenues as compared with the rales on previou- receni loans. THE ESTIMATE*. The Estimate- for the current year have been prepared on a ba-is ol that rigid ei enemy in public expenditure whirl) my .Ministers regaid as essential. The burden ot taxation was largely increased bv the war and inductions of that burden can only he ell'eeietl eonsi-toiilly with -ah- limine.bv curtailment of expenditure >rom Die consolidated fund and by eareinl limitation of the extent to which the Public Works Fund, consisting of borrowed money, is utilised. 1 have observed with deep regret and sincere sympathy for the sufferers of the damage cau-ed by the recent Hoods in v.ui,ms parts of the Dominion, especially In the South Island. -My Government, has already, in reliance on your continuation, provided moneys to aid persons who have lost property and public bodies which are unable to repair the great damage. But it is clear thal further provision Iromthe Puhiie Works Fund will he necessary towards the restoration of road- and bridges damaged or destroyed. M.AIN HIGHWAYS BOARD. The Main Highways Board under the Act of last year has recently been appointed. Provi-ion of money is urgently required for the essential operations which the Board is In conduct ami control and is a matter which my .Ministers consider will require your early and careful attention. RETURNED SOLDIERS.

The position of our relumed soldiers has received anxious coiisiderai mn from mv Ministers. It will he remembered Unit two classes of advances lor repatriation purposes have been estaili'.hed • the first for the provision ol land for soldiers desiring to sen e which was later extended to piotide for the erection of houses or the larms of such, sildiers and Dte second for enabling returned soldiers to " luel ' take trading and other forms of imbistre, apart from laud. .'lbis lultei < as.also included Die provision ol advances for the purchase of furniture. \. itl, retard to the second class o, advance the record of the soldiers m one ol which the Dominion may "d proud. Advances on this class amounted to £2,330.000, nominally secured on chattels, but really rest , m, the honour and good faith ol men who received the money. No kthan £1.200.545 of the capita advanced has actually boon returned 1 the vast majority of oases ami all - tcrest has been paid. Only a small amount is in arrears. Less Hum - per cent of those to whom such aula,ices were made have faded to meet their obligations and.,,, the nm.,ou of those row cases the failure ms been duo to misfortune. But .t is Die W class of advances upon land tor ct - ment and for purchase of stock , Inter upon bouses for the soldier settlers amounting, in the aggregate to more i ban £21.000.000. which lms caused anxiety ami demands your careful and sympathetic consideration, fo, it is certain that the soldiers who sc.tle<l on the land would have been roadv to meet their engagements as the soldiers established m business bad their opportunities been equal. • ome of tbs- lauds purchased on behalr o (be Government were, aftei su i division, disposed of to the soldier: upon terms and at a cost which be cause of subsequent depression in tin prices of our primary products, failec to allow a fair return for the capita and labour involved. Tt is obvious however, that in regard to such laud, the position can be met by your ait tborisiug remissions of arrears to i certain extent and. where necessary reductions in the capital values. Tin more difficult cases are those where under n special provision of the -T)is charged Soldiers’ Settlement Act the soldiers wore enabled to purebas lands from private persons, advance being made by the Government t them for that purpose approximate: to the capital yfdue. «s fiscer-tauied b

Government valuation. In that class of cases there is in general a second mortgage of the land to the vendor, followed in some instances by other mortgages where the vendor was himself subject to a charge. The rights of vendors as well as of the Government are thus involved, and a solution is byno means simple. Boards of Inquiry have been constituted with the duty of making close investigations into the position of soldiers tinder the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act throughout the Dominion, so that action may be taken thereon during the present session of Parliament. SOLDIERS LANDS.

.My Ministers feel assured that it is the desire of the whole people of the Dominion that discharged soldiers who have settled on laud and have proved themselves able and willing to manage their holdings, should be enabled to retain their possessions with the prospect of a sufficient return from their properties, after the discharge of the annual payments due to the country under the.ir contracts. The legislation providing for Government advances to facilitate the building of houses generally has been taken advantage of to a certain extent, but has been found to be more fully eifeetivc as under the Estate Advance Act. The limit of advance to 75 per cent, of the value requires provision by each applicant of n considerable sum and my Ministers propose to submit to you an amendment of the present Act enabling Government advances lo be made to an extent equal to 95 per cent of the value of the land, added to the estimated cost of the building provided, that, such loans are made up on a table basis requiring repayment of the loan and interest by regular instalments.

Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives—-You will be asked to consider a Bill to alter the procedure under which local legislation of a minor character is at present dealt with in Parliament. The reserves and other land disposal and public bodies Empowering Act, of 1922. contains 158 sections. The same Act of 1921. contains 138 sections, and the collcatlon in one act of a number of sections relating to dillorent subject matters and different local bodies in cases where the desired legislation is not of such a magnitude as to require the provision of a. separate local bill has been found convenient and it is not proposed to discontinue it. The principal difficulty in regard to such legislation is tlk' absence of notice to tho ratepayers and others concerned of the intended legislation which is thus massed together at, the end of each session. By the Local Legislation Bill, to be submitted to you. it is proposed to ensure that such notice shall be provided by antecedent publication in the Government Gazette, or where mvossarv in newspapers circulating in the districts concerned.

Bills amending the Naval Deleiice Act. the War Pensions Act, the Samoa. Act, the Noxious Weeds Act. the Cook Islands Act, the Death Duties ,\cl, the Insurance Toy's. Deposits Act the Juries Act. the Justice of the Peace Aef, and the Police Olfences Act are among the measures which have been prepared and are ready lor y-our consideration. The Dairy Produce Export Hill, tlie provisions ol which wore partIv considered by Parliament in the session of 1922. will with certain modifications be again submitted you I commend the subjects to vhioh 1 have refeired. to your earnest attention, and I trust that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your deliberations.