OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1928, Page 3

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

GOVERNOR - GENERAL’S SPEECH

[Per Favour of Government.]

WELLINGTON, June 28.

The Governor General (Sir Charles Fergusson) delivered . the following speech at the opening of Parliament this afternoon :

Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the

House of Representatives:— It is with pleasure that 1 again meet you in Parliament assembled. My visits during the recess to different parts of the Dominion, which l had not visited before, have further convinced me of the loyalty of the people of this Dominion to the Crown, and I have much appreciated, the warmth of the welcome that has been extended to me.

Since I last met you, a most important step towards the peace and security of the world has been taken by the Government of the United States of America in their proposal for a multilateral treaty for the renunciation of war. The principal articles of the proposed treaty are:—(l) The high contracting parties solemnly declare in the name of their respective peoples that they condemn recourse to war for the solution of international controversies and renounce it as an instrument of national policy in their relations with one another. (2) The high contracting parties agree that the settlement or solution of all disputes or conflicts of whatever nature or of whatever origin they may he, which may arise amongst them shall never he sought except by pacific means. An invitation to become an original party to the treaty lias been extended t' New Zealand by the United -States through I-lis Majesty’s Government in Great Britain. My Ministers have in reply expressed their warm appreciation of the invitation and their readiness in co-operation-with His Majesty’s governments in other parts of the British Empire to associate themselves with the Government of the United States in this movement to add greater security to the peace of the world and to share iii any negotiations leading to tho conclusion of the proposed treaty.

T regret to say that owing to the disaffection of a section of the population, the administrator of the mandate over West Samoa has caused some anxiety. As a result of various complaints and grievances alleged against the administration it was considered advisable last year to appoint a commission of inquiry consisting of the Honourable the Chief Justice of New Zealand, Sir Charles Skerrett, and Judge McCormack, of the Native Lands Court to visit Samoa and investigate the complaints on the spot. The result of a long and careful inquiry was to vindicate the administration, hut unfortunately the unrest lias continued. Upon tho expiration of Major-General Sir Geo. Richardson’s term of office as Administrator ho was appointed as one of the representatives of New Zealand to attend the Permanent Mandates Commission of the League of Nations. Colonel S. S. Allen, C.M.G., D. 5.0.,

was appointed to succeed Sir Geo. Richardson as Administrator of the territory, and took up his duties in .May last.

The policy of the Administration is and always has been to exercise the utmost possible, patience consistent with the duo observance of the law. A notable event during the year was the visit of the Rt. Hon. L. S. Amery, Secretary for the Dominions. His discussions with my Ministers on various matters of importance and Ins personal contact with all sections of the community, gave his visit a special value.

The National Industrial Conference which was set up to consider problems affecting labour and industry met during the recess. On some matters the conference came to a unanimous conclusion and-their recommendations are now receiving the careful considei ation of my Ministers. On other matters when unanimity was not reached tlm conference dealt with much information which had been carefully thought out and prepared and on which valuable discussions took place. Throughout all the proceedings there was a spirit of harmony and mutual forbearance and it is clear that from this aspect alone, the conference marks a step forward in our industrial relationships. It is confidently hoped that the conference has laid the foundation for friendly discussion in the future regarding the manydifficult problems that arise in oiliindustrial life. It is a noteworthy fac-t and one which shows the good relations existing between employers and employees, that the period of depression through which this country has recently passed and from which it is now happily emerging lias also been a period of industrial peace. The measures passed last session dealing with the agricultural colleges, together with the activities of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research already have been fruitful of results which promise well lov the lasing benefit of our primary and secondary industries, and several important comparative research enterprises have been inaugurated. In this much assistance has been given by the lunpiie Marketing Board, as a result of the visit of Mr Amery. My Ministers feel that in the application of scientific methods to the cultivation ot our land and to the raising and treatment of stock there is a- practical means of increasing production which is so essential to the prosperity of this Dominion. The subject of farmers’ finance which has given much consideration d>mn„ the hist two sessions resulted in two the Statute Book, providing foi 1-n term mortgages and rural "dcrnied.a credit. These measures are now • working order and it is anticipated that much benefit will accrue o t country by the facilities now gnei the working farmer to obtain c.cih on reasonable terms and at a low rate

interest. » ~ Mr Speaker and Gentlemen ol the House of Representatives L am pleased to be able to refei to the satisfactory change during the last twelve months i„ the ee.nom.e trade position of the Dominion. Aided by a good season and better prices both the volume and value ot our exportable products show a satisfactory increase. These factors, together with the openin,v „p of new markets make the outlook for the future distinctly promising and should do much to remove the causes of unemployment "hcih tunntely have been much in - during the depression of the last

-Hm operations of the public finances for the venr ended 31st March last a surplus of administrative expeiulituie. For the purpose of promoting policy of development in connection with public works, railways and hydioelectric power, a loan amounting to £5,000,000 was issued m Lone on <m ing May. Th« it’s succent discounted at 104 lus anu cessful flotation marked a notable » • _ interest rates, thus indicating, I am eased to state, improved financial and

land consolidated stock of £29,000,000, maturing in November, 1929, holders to receive £lO4 10s of new 4] per cent stock in exchange for their 4 per cent, holdings. The amount offered was immediately taken up.

The revision of the tariff last year

rendered material assistance to New Zealand industries and the increased preference granted to British manufacturers has been well received in Great

Britain, as a further evidence of New Zealand’s desire to assist Empire trade, (.'concessions amounting to many thousands of pounds were made in the duty on articles in eveiv-day use by the community.

During the recess, the Australian Minister of Customs, the Hon. Mr Bratton, visited the Dominion for the purpose of discussing trade and tariff relations between the Commonwealth and tho Dominion. Although the discussions which took place were not fruitful of any immediate results, it is believed that a better understanding has been reached on various administrative difficulties that had arisen from time to time. It was with deep regret that the people of New Zealand learnt of the sudden deatli of Mr Prnttcn shortly after his return to Australia. Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of

the House of Representatives:—

Much consideration has been given to the provision on a contributory and universal basis of pensions for old age and widowhood and of insurance against sickness and invalidity. In order to give reasonable benefits under any such scheme which would necessarily he compulsory, and assuming that the financial liability would he borne by the State employers and employees in equal proportions, it is estimated that the. annual charge on the -State would he not less than £325,000 leaving twice that amount to he borne .by the employers and employees. This liability of the- State would he in addition to the gross sum of C 1,314,641 now expended annually for old age and widows pensions, which latter payment would have to continue for many years to come. Although it is recognised that the principle of such a scheme is sound and would remove many anomalies in our present pensions law, my Ministers hesitate in view (if the stress under which many industries have been carrying on. the prevailing unemployment and the economic conditions generally, to impose this additional burden. Apart from the financial aspect, it has also to ho considered whether the conditions that led up to the establishment of tho systems now operating in certain closely populated and industrially developed countries exist in New Zealand to the extent that would warrant the initiation of a similar system here. Consideration must also he given to the effect of such a scheme on the existing voluntary organisations, such as the National Provident Fund, the Friendly Societies, tho Hospital and Medical Services, anil other institutions, which are already in existence in this country and deal with different phases of the problem. While welcoming any discussion on the subject my Ministers have conic to the conclusion (hat all the different points involved require mature consideration and opportunity should he aflordeil for tho examination of the information collected by a commission in Australia which has been sitting for the last three years, and which lias recently made its report. It is proposed this session to amend tho British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Act, 1923 by adopting Part TT. of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914. This will bring the Dominion of New Zealand into line with all other countries of the British Empire which have now adopted Part If of tho Imperial Act. Tim effect of this adoption will be that anyone upon which British nationality has been conferred in any part of the British

‘Empire will become a British subject, in every part of tho Empire, anil consequently anyone whom New Zealand admits to the status of British nationality can claim that status in un\ other part of the Empire. The Acts relating to Public Reserves and Domains, Rabbit Nuisance, Divorce and Auctioneers have been compiled and reconstructed and these measures will be put before you for consideration.

Consolidations of the Acts relating to- Magistrates Courts, Education Reserves. Tost and Telegraph, Inspection of Machinery, Noxious Weeds, Public Works, Kauri Gum, Orchard and Garden Disease, have been prepared and will also be submitted to you. Under our existing law provision

will he made for local authorities acquiring charges on land for payment of various services performed by them. The existence of. these charges has caused difficulty to people dealing with land, and a measure will he introduced providing for the registration of all such charges.

The report on mental deficiency and its treatment furnished -by the Inspector-General fcf Mental Hospitals has been considered and remedial legislation will be submitted for your consideration. In view of the large increase of motor traffic -and the number of accidents which have occurred on the road, it has been considered by my Ministers desirable that all those who own cars should at the same time as they pay their annual registration and license fees, pay an additional sum sufficient to provide an insurance a"a i nst what is known as the third party risk. The details and working „f this proposal will be set out in the Hill which will he duly submitted to you. Bills will also ho submitted to you dealing with Municipal Corporations, Companies, Property Law, Police Force, State Fire Insurance, Licensing, Cinematograph Films, Land for Settlements, New Zealand University and other matters. | commend all those matters to vour earnest consideration, and P n U’ that Divine Providence may so guide vour deliberations that the result will he for the good of the Empire and of lasting benefit to the people of this Dominion.