OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1927, Page 3

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

GOVENOR-GKNKRAL’S SPEECH. [Per Favour of Government.] WELLING lON. June 23. Ill's Excellency the Goveiior-Geiieral delivered the following speech at the opening of Parliament this afternoon : Don. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— It is with pleasure that I again meet you in Pan., inent assembled. Since your lasi session I have had further opportin,, i. -- in visiting various parts of the Di ~1. i n and have been deeply impressed uie spirit of loyalty ivhieii is every u acre in evidence, as well as by the warmth of the welcome extended to me as His .Majesty’s representative. Ihe visit of Their Royal Highnesses tlie Duke and Duchess nt York aroused great enthusiasm throughout the Dominion, and provided an occasion for a demonstration of loyalty to the ( roa n and personal regard for the Sovereign and the Royal Family. The wei'eome to our royal visitors was In every way as wholeheartedly as that which was accorded in previous years to Their Majesties the King and Queen and to Hi.-, Royal Highness, the Prime of Wales.

At the Maori gathering at Rotorua our fellow-subjects of the native race again strikingly demonstrated their loyalty to the Sovereign in accordance with their custom and usages. The visit ol Their Royal Highnesses, I am confident, will still further strengthen the lies which bind the citizens of this Dominion to the Motherland. The Imperial Conference at which the Dominion was represented by my Prime Minister and the lit. Hon. Sir Francis Bell, last year, was notable for many important resolutions, some of which affected the CinVmial haws Validity Act, the reserving of bills, ami extra-territorial operations of the Dominion. Legislation on tbe.se subjects have been referred by the Imperial Conference to a committee which, alter consultation with the Dominions, will advise whether special legilsation is necessary to give effect to tlie resolutions. Other matters dealt with at the Imperial Conference are defined in a report ol the proceedings which will he laid before you at an earlv dale.

At the eoiiiltisiun of the meeting of the Imperial (‘nnferenee my Prime Minister visited tile graves of our -oldiers in France and Belgium. lie was deeply impressed by the care and attention which have been exercised by the Imperial War Graves Commission in carrying out the work entrusted to their charge. The opening of the Federal House of Parliament at Canberra in May last was an event of outstanding importance in the history of the sister Dominion of Australia. New Zealand was represented at the ceremony by the Hon. the Minister of Lands, through whom New Zealand's congratulations to the Commonwealth were transmitted.

At tlie assembly of tlie League of Nations at Geneva last year, the Dominion was represented by Rt. Hon. Sir Francis Bell and by the High Commissioner. The most important event at this meeting was the admission of Germany as n member of the League with it permanent seat on the Council. A report of the proceedings has been prepared and will he laid before you in due course.

During the recess, the Minister nf External Affairs has visited the mandated territory of Samoa and personally discussed with the Administrator and the inhabitants of the territory matters pertaining to the welfare of both races. The continued progress of the native population in their conditions of livelihood, their general prosperity and their confidence in the administration of their affairs, are mattors for satisfaction. It is gratifying also to know that the reports furnished to the League ol Nations in accordance with the terms of the mandates held by New Zealand have earned the commendation of the Permanent Mandates Commission of the League.

At the instance of President { iolidge a Disarmament Conference lias com men eed its deliberations at Genova. Ministers have arranged for the Dominion to he represented by the High Commissioner, Admiral of the Fleet, Earl .Telliose, and R/mr-Admiral Beal. Air Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : The results of the financial year ended oil 31st. Altircli last are very satisfactory, especially so in view of the uncertainty of the financial position during the period. Ihe surplus of revenue over expenditure amounted to £587,060. Part of this surplus has been utilised to reduce tlie public debt and tlie balance carried forward to meet any extraordinary demands that may arise during the present year. Aly Al Blisters are of opinion that in view of the general and financial outlook for the current year, that rigid economy must lie maintained. To this end my .Ministers have again arranged for a special committee to scrutinize t arefully tlie estimates and report as to the -measures to he taken to ensure economy and .vtric-fc conltrol of expenditure.

A further loan of 66,000.060 issued at £99 10s per cent, hearing interest at 5 per cent, has been successfully floated in London, and tlie proceeds will be devoted to the construction and improvement of railways—hydro-elec-tric power stations and other public works designed to assist in the development of the productive power of the Dominion.

I mentioned in my speech at the opening o ft-lio last session of Parliament that in connection with naval defence my advisers are of the opinion that more should lie done before New Zealand could claim to have taken her fair share of the burden of the defence of the Empire. In the discussion at the Imperial Conference the Prime Ministers of Great Britain stated that the best form of assistance that the Dominions could give would be an easy way of a contribution to the cost of the naval base at Singapore, and my advisers intend to submit proisisals in that respecet for your consideration. For tbe purpose of co-ordinating and regulating the ltorrowing of local authorities and of giving local governing bodies the benefit of expert advice. a Local Government Loans Board Act- was passed last year. In pursuance of the Act a representative Board has been appointed and has taken up the duty of investigating the loan proposals brought forward by the local authorities. Tr is anticipated that the operations of tbe Board will !>e of great benefit to the loea-1 authorities concerned and to tbe Dominion generally. Following tbe report of tbe commission which investigated the question of rural credits in other countries, a Rural Advances Act was passed last session and came into operation on Ist. April. Loans are now being granted and as soon as sufficient mortgages have been created, for the purpose, i-r is proposed to issue bonds secured on the mortgages and it is bon-'-i *'•••• investors will take up tbe bonds an-' thereby assist- in financing tbe farmer. During the recess a Royal Commission of Departmental experts was ap-

pointed to consider and report upon the revision of the customs tariff. This commission has been taking evidence in various parts of the Dominion, and its report should shortly be received. A new tariff will then bo prepared and submitted for thorough scrutiny and revision. Volt will appreciate that the intended production of a tariff prohibits any intimation being given at. this stage of the session i f the proposals of tny AI misters with regard to alterations in the methods or .sub-

jects of taxation. Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:

It- has been the aim of my advisers to improve the trade relations r.f this Dominion with other countries and especially to foster trade within the Empire. With this end in view various conferences with representative people were held by my Prime Alinistor during his visit to England and to Canada, and also by the Minister of Industries and Commerce during his recent visit to Australia. The question of land settlement has been receiving the earnest consideration of my advisers whose difficulties in this respect have been greatly accentuated by the prevailing unfavourable economic conditions. The ,protracted instability in the prices of our primary products in the world's markets, together with the increased cost of development has been reflected in a corresponding uncertainty in land values, and has so seriously affected the position of many of the country’s settlers that available resources hn c been severely taxed in an endeavour to place them on a sound footing.

The Maori Arts and Crafts Act which is included in the legislation passed last session was brought into operation. during the recess. As Honourable Members are aware the main principles of the Act are to foster and encourage the study and practice of Maori arts and crafts. The Hoard set up to administer the Act has entered upon its duties with enthusiasm. I am pleased to give duo acknowledgement to the Maoris themselves for their interest in the legislation pa.-sad and in its administration.

One of the principle Acts passed last session was that providing for town and regional planning schemes. Ii is encouraging to note the interest and spirit which local governing bodies have shown in the legislation. It has been rc< iignised that, in this young and fast growing country regard must be had for the future in making provision for the laying out of closely populated areas. My Ministers I think had accordance with the new spirit- existing in international relations. The time is now opportune to review some of the legislation passed during the war period. An Act was passed in 1922 removing certain disabilities arising from nationality, and it is now proposed to introduce a Bill removing disabilities imposed on subjects of enemy races relating to employment in educational work, the acquisition of hind and immigration. It is also proposed to repeal the special provisions of the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act, 1919. whereby a British woman being the wife if a person < f enemy origin may petition for divorce in certain eases. Bills will also he submitted to you for the purpose of compiling and amending th eexisling law, relating to Public Service Superannuation. Public Works. Justices of the Peace. Meg strates’ Courts. Divorce and Matrimonial Causes and Education Reserves. The establishment of children's com ! ; under the Child Welfare Act has [moved of great -benefit in dealing with juvenile delinquents. Certain amendments. however, have 'been found m*cessarv to improve the working of the Ac t, and an Amending Bill w ill lie laid before you.

A Bill to amend the Bankruptcy Act will also he introduced. It is prep’sed to include in this Bill provisions which will further secure the position of those making advances to dairv fanners of the security of their milk cheques an dthus make easier the finance of those engaged in this important national industry.

Bit's will be submitted drilling with amendments to the law relating to industrial disputes, shops and offices, literature, motor vehicles, stock p "

perty law, land, milling, licensing and other matters. I emunend those various matters to your careful attention and I earnestly hope that Divine I’rnvidonoc may guide your deliberations to the furtherance of the happiness and welfare of the people of this D >- minion.