OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1926, Page 3

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

[by TELEGRAPH —rER PRESS ASSOCIATION WELLINGTON, Juiiq 10. The first session of the 22nd New Zealand -Parliament was opened today hv His Excellency the GovernorGeneral’s Commission which was read in the Legislative Council. After the reading of the Commission, members of the Lower House were sworn in and then proceeded to the election of a Speaker, Hon. C. E. | iStatham being nominated by Mr J. McDiekson (Chalmers) and seconded by Sir George Hunter (Waipawa). This being the only nomination, Mr Statham was duly elected and was congratulated upon li is selection by leaders of all parties in the House. In returning thanks, Mr Statham promised to preserve the principles of members and uphold the dignity of the New -Zealand Parliament to the utmost of his ability. At. 3.35p.m. the House rose till 2.30 to-morrow. Mr Statham will be presented to the Governor-General to-morrow morning for approval. The Labour Party held a caucus today when Mr If. Holland (Bnller) lias reappointed Lender of the Party and Mr Savage, Deputy Leader. GOVERNOR-GENERAL 11A S LUMBAGO. WELLINGTON. June 17. It "was officially announced from Government House this morning tl at owing to a sudden and acute attack of lumbago, His Excellency, the Gov-ernor-General would be unable to opon Parliament this afternoon in person. OPENED BY COMMISSION. PARLIAMENTARY BUILDINGS, June 17. ft has been decided that Parliament will be opened by Commission, the same members of the Legislative Council who acted yesterday performing the ceremony. GOVERNOR-CENERAL’S SPEECH. (Per Favour of Government.) WELLINGTON. June 17. HON. GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. QUEEN ALEXANDRA, hi November of last year the people of this Dominion learned with deep sorrow of the death of Her -Majesty, Queen Alexandra, who, during her long life was beloved and revered in all parts of the Empire. On behalf of the people of this Dominion, I sent a message of condolence to His Majesty the King. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. '

In view of the fact that an Imperial Conference has been called for October Parliament lias been summoned at an earlier date than usual, to facilitate the departure of my Prime Minister to attend the Conference. It is certain that questions of great importance affecting international and Imperial affairs must arise for discussion and decision. Harmony and co-opera-tion between all parts of the Empire are essential if we are to fulfil our high destiny, anil towards that end. the Imperial Conference is a potent anil vital agency. LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Important assemblies of delegates to the League of Nations at Geneva have been attended by my Government’s representative and at the next meeting the Right Hon. Sir Francis Bell, who for some time administered tile department of External Affairs will represent New Zealand. TOUR OF PACIFIC. I am, pleased to have been able this year to make an extended tour in the Cook Islands, Niue and Western Samoa. Everywhere J was met by warm demonstrations of loyalty and of satisfaction at the efforts which are being made by New Zealand to maintain anil improve the welfare of the native population in the mandated territory of AVcstoru Samoa. 1 had an opportunity of making myself acquainted with all sections ol the population and of studying the system of administration generally. The evidence ul' progress in every direction is remarkable. The satisfaction displayed bv the natives in their conditions of livelihood and their over-increasing efforts to improve their land, their interest in sanitation anil education, anil the complete confidence whiell they express in tile administration, are most gratifying. T am firmly convinced that the territory is being governed under a. wise, just and iarseeing policy, anil in accordance with the best traditions of British rule.

I also paid visits to Pago Pago (in ei the American Samoa), to the Tongnn ft group and to His Excellency, the High Commissioner, tor the Western Pacific ii at Suva. I trust these visits may have p been useful in promoting and main- k laming friendly relations with those p who are associated in administering L the affairs of the native races in the si Pacific. ° IN NEW ZEALAND. ] have also had the opportunity of visiting various parts ol the Dominion f and have been deeply touched by the „ strong Imperial sentiment which was manifested, not only in the laigc ~ centres of population but equally in j tlie most remote parts. Tlie generally prosperous conditions prevailing con, veyed to me, the impression that this Dominion is by application and industry rapidly recovering from its postwar difficulties. NAVAL VISITS. , During the year a battleship squadron of the United States Elect visited New Zealand and tlie friendly rela- ; tions which were manifested between tlie officers and men of tlie squadron and the citizens of the Dominion, must prove beneficial in promoting mutual goodwill and understanding between tlie United States of America and this Dominion. I also welcomed on behalf of the people of New Zealand. His Majesty’s Australian, squadron, the ■ Japanese training ship “ Iwate ” and the French sloop “ Cassiope.” The arrival of His Majesty’s cruiser “Diomede” to form part of the New Zealand naval unit aroused wirespread interest and while the addition of this cruiser means an increase in our expenditure on naval , defence my advisers are of the opinion that still more must he done before New Zealand can claim to be bearing her fair share ot Imperial navy defence. DOMINION EXHIBITION. The New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition which I opened at Dunedin in November last proved a remarkable success from every point of view. Tie : results must prove beneficial to the whole of New Zealand. The Exhibition should procure more adequate re- - cognition of the value of our indus- - tries both primary and secondary, and also 'produce good results in promotinrr trade within the Empire. NATIVE AFFAIRS. During the month of February I * visited the SVaiapu District and was - met by a very large gathering of the v Native race on the occasion of the e consecration of a Maori carved church it erected by the Ngatiporou tribe in n memory of their sons who fell in the 5- Great War. I noted with great satis--2 faction the expression given to the loyalty to the Thron^vtnriwum

I mates the Maori race of New Zealand. I was also much impressed with the I earnest desire of the Maori people to improve their lands and enable the ris" ing generation to find adequate scope for its energies and aspirations. My Native Minister in accordance with tlie provisions of Section 29 of the Native Land Amendment and Native Lund Claims Adjustment Act of last session entered into negotiations with [ the Natives for agreement in respect of fishing rights in Tnupo waters and it is considered that the arrangements . which were decided upon will be satisfactory to all concerned. CHIEF JUSTICE. Early in this year the Right Hon. Sir Robert Stout retired from the office of Chief Justice. During his long and illustrious career he rendered eminent public service to this Dominion and carries with him in his retirement the good will of the whole community. The Hon C. P. Skerrett has been appointed to fill the vacancy. lIIGH COMM]SSIONER. The Hon. S*r Jas. Allen who for six years lias filled with conspicuous zeal and ability the position of High Commissioner for New Zealand in London, retires on 31st July next. The Hon. Sir J. Parr lias been appointed to succeed him. FINANCE. AIR. SPEAKER. AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,— 'l’lie results of the financial year ending on the 31st March last have been very satisfactory. The surplus of actual revenue over expenditure was £1,150,000. Part of this surplus has been utilised to reduce the public debt and £500,000 lias been transferred to the Public Works funds. My Ministers are of the opinion that in view of the general financial and commercial outlook every economy will re- . quire to be exercised this year, and that it would he unwise to make further reductions in taxation in view of the probability of a substantial fall in the revenue. My Ministers, with a view of providing for any possible reaction in" the public finance of the Dominion, have arranged for a special committee to investigate and report as to what measures may he taken m connection with economy and control of expenditure during the current finniii’inl year. In order to furnish further capital and overtake arrears of advances to settlers, subscriptions were invited to a 5] per cent loan for this purpose. T am'pleased to state that the amount of £5,000,000 was received which will enable the desired result to he obtained. A loan o f £6,000.000 was issued at £9B 10s for 5 per cent, lias been successfully floated in London for the purposes of development and lor the furtherance of the productive power oi the Dominion. CUSTOMS PREFERENCE. Tlio impending changes in the condition relating to goods entitled to preference under the customs tariff referred to last year were brought into operation at the beginning of the year 1 have every reason to believe that these changes will, mi the whole, piomote increased employment of labour within the Empire, without adversely affecting the revenue. Legislation dealing with finance and the annual taxiin' provisions and amendment ofthe existing law relating to public revenues, local bodies loans and _ national provident fund, will be submitted to you for consideration. ( COMING LEGISLATION. ! Information is now being collected for the purpose of preparing legislation to assist people with large families and small incomes, and it is hoped that a Bill dealing with tins important matter 'will lie presented to j Parliament. Members will also be asked to consider various proposals dealing with industrial and social kgisla- , thin. The importance of finance to the ( farmer and settler has Icon the sub-, je-t of special attention, and in Scpteml i.-r last V appointed a commission i t f , investigate conditions regarding rn- t ral credits and agricultural banks, operating in other countries. The Commission has almost completed its inquiries anil its report will he .Inly laid before you.

AGRICULTURAL. The subject of agricultural education has been engaging the attention of my Ministers who are impressed with the need for a greater extension of scientific farming methods among our primary producers. Proposals for the establishment of a Central Agricultural College for the development of farm training schools for lads and for increasing the number of agricultural instructors through the Dominion, are at present receiving earnest consideration. and legislation where necessary to give effect to these proposals will he laid before you. The question of closer settlement is engaging the attention of the Government, and the gradual reduction of land values to a basis, giving a greater measure of stability lias enabled my Ministers to puri-hase areas for sub-division.

Satisfactory progress is being made in connection with irrigation schemes, particularly in Otago. By this means large tracts of country, otherwise unproductive are being made available for settlement. legislation will b? submitted dealing with the settlement of pumice anil gum lands. LOCAL BODY BORROAA’TNG.

In the opinion of my Ministers some further supervison should !«? imposed over borrowing by local authorities, and a Bill dealing with the question will lie introduced.

HON GFtNTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND GENTLEMEN - OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OUR TRADE.

I note that the gross trade of the Dominion lias been fairly well maintained in the past year, although the value of exports, owing to a fall in prices, does not balance favourably with imports which show a substantial increase. I have no doubt, liowewar, that with a realisation of the position, the adjustment of tlie trade balance will be gradually brought about. TORONTO EXHIBITION. M.v Ministers have arranged for tho Dominion to be represented at ihe Toronto Exhibition in August next, thus recognizing tlie importance and desirability of inter-Empire trade and communication. SIR F. HEATH’S VISIT. By arrangement with the Government, Sir Frank Heath, Secretary to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in England visited New Zealand in February last to advise on the question of scientific organisation for the" assistance of primary and secondary industries. My Ministers have carefully considered the proposals contained in the report and legislation in this connection will be submitted. OTHER MEASURES.

A measure dealing with the important subject of town planning will be laid before you for consideration. Bills will be submitted to you for the purpose of completing and amending the existing law with regard to mining, hospitals and charitable m stitutions and fire brigades. A l.i will also be laid before you for the purpose of effecting improvements in the licensing laws. You, will be asked to consider legislation designed to make better provision for uneversity executives in the Dominion. A comprehensive measure has been prepared on the lines suggested by the Royal Pp-vipi jcgjnTi whoserepoi^mO^^JiSl

fore you last year. It is intended to repeal will existing legislation relating to the University of New Zealand and its affiliated colleges and to reconstitute tlie University as a Federal University.

Other Bills will lie laid before you dealing with amendments to the law relating to lands, dairy produce export control, census and statistics, destitute persons, scenery preservation and other matters.

In commending these various mat-' ters to your consideration, I trust your deliberations will be directed by Divine Providence.