OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1930, Page 5

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

GOVERNOR’S SPEECH

(Per Favour of Government.)

WELLINGTON, June 26

His Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral, Lord IBled/isloe, delivered the following speech at the opening of toirliament:—

HON. GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF RE PR KSENTATIV ES ;

The past year lias been happily marked by the restoration to' health

of Mis .Majesty the King, whose re-

covery Irom his serious illness has given his subjects throughout the Empire the deepest gratification. I desire to express my pleasure in

meeting you in Parliament assembled tor the first time since my assumption of the office of GovernorGeneral of New Zealand, and to assure you not only of the deep interest with which I shall follow your proceedings. but also of my earnest dosire to co-operate with you in every way possible in your efforts to advance the prosperity of this Dominion, and the welfare contentment and happiness of its people. The spirit of loyalty which I have found strikingly in evidence during my visits to several of the principal centres of population, has impressed me profoundly. By none has that spirit been mare fervently demonstrated than by tbe Maori race and I. acknowledge with deep appreciation the loyal and cordial welcome which they have extended to me as the King’s representative. I am indeed much gratified and encouraged in the task which lies before me by the kindly reception, which has been accorded to me by those of His Majesty’s subjects, without distinction of class occupation or race, whom .1 have been privileged to meet since my arrival in New Zealand three months ago. On the ,22nd May last, the Right Honourable Sir Joseph Ward on account of ill-health, tendered to me his resignation as Prime Minister and also the resignations of his Ministerial colleagues. On his advice I entrusted the Hun. .George William Forbes with the formation of a Ministry. APr F'orbes was appointed Prime Minister on the 28th May, and the Ministry was duly sworn in on that date. At the same time, Sir Joseph Ward was confirmed in liis membership of the Executive Council, and in this capacity his advice and counsel will still be available to the country.

It is fitting that I should take this opportunity to express a warm tribute to the distinguished services rendered to New Zealand and the Empire by Sir Joseph Ward. For over forty ve<ars he has devoted himself to the public life of the Dominion, serving as ~t a of the House of Representatives, ns a Minister of the Crown and for seven years as Prime Minister. I feel sure I am expressing yo.ur own sentiments as well as mine in tbe cordial hope that Sir Joseph Ward will be speedily restored to good health and that he mnv he spared to enjoy many years of well earned happiness. At the recent Naval Disarmament Conference in London the Dominion was represented- by its High Commissioner and the resulting treaty was duly signed on its behalf in common with the United Kingdom and the other Dominions. A copy of the treaty will be laid before you in due course for your consideration.

Mv Government support wholeheartedly the cause of international peace and disarmament and will take niiv steps in their power to further this movement so far as it is consisten with the necessities of national defence.

Mv Ministers regard the League of Nations as ft most important means of international conciliation and understanding and will take as act'ne a. part as possible in its deliberations and work.

This year, for the first time, arrangements have been made for the ,representation of New .Zealand at the International Labour Conference under the auspices of the League. The earnest .consideration of my Ministers is being directed towards the forthcoming Imperial Conference which will he opened in London at the end of September, and a,t which it is hoped that the Prime Minister will be able to represent New Zealand. especially in view of the importance of the constitutional and economic ■ questions to ibe discussed and the magnitude of the issues involved. Among iotlier matters of great moment to be considered is the report of the Experts Committee on Dominion legislation, a copy of which will be laid on the table, while the principal economic subject will he the consideration of ways and means to develop inter-Tinperial trade. Unless negotiations can he initiated :lt an earlier date, it will also he necessary for my Prime Minister while in London, to enter into discussions with the Prime Minister. of the Dominion of Canada with a view to tariff adjustments between the two

Dominions. The situation in "Western. Samoa has continued to cause anxiety and the difficulties in the territory culminated last December in an outbreak of rioting which unfortunately was attended with fatal results. My Ministers felt it necessary to despatch H.M.S. “Dunedin” to Apia and steps were taken to disperse the Aran and to effect the arrest of persons charged with criminal offences. The disaffected Samoans retired to

the hush but on the arrival in the territory of the Minister of Defence they met the Administrator in his presence and as a result of this conference all the indicated offenders were surrendered tor trial. A further conference between the Administrator and chosen representatives of the Samoans has recently taken place and the position appears to have greatly improved.

My Ministers desire to reaffirm their willin guess to consider any legitimate grievances that may be represented by the Samoans but will continue to insist upon the observance of law ami order in the territory.

MR SPEAKER, AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES :

The promotion of goodwill among tbe nations of tbe world has 'been materially advanced by tbe satisfactory final settlement of the post-war question of .reparations. The agreements recently made at The Hague to which New Zealand is a party have been ratified by the Government. It is pleasing to note that the steps taken by my Ministers during the last financial year were successful in rectifying I the position of the public finances enabling the year to be closed with a surplus of approximately £150,000. In order to provide additional capital for carrying on the programme of public works, notably railway construction and improvement • and the development of hydroelectric power, a further loan of £5,500,000 was successfully floated in London in May. - The issue price was £99 per cent, bearing interest at £5 per cent. The price is deemed very satisfactory in view of the general conditions of the money market, and the fact that the loan was largely over-subserilxid, is striking evidence of the confidence that investors have in this Dominion, and the management of its finances.

Arrangements have also been made to provide out of local resources additional capital for land settlement, State advances, and forestry and other activities being carried on by my Ministers, with the object of assisting in the development of the country.

It is regretted that the heavy fall in the prices obtained for our primary products in the overseas markets has involved a lessened return from the exports of the Dominion. This contraction in the national income, arising from causes (beyond our control, inevitably means a period of financial stringency for the whole community.

So far as the national finances are concerned my Ministers anticipate during the current financial year a substantlia deef'iue in customs revenue, and also a 'falling off in the yield from land and income tax. Recognising that the present is not an opportune time for placing additional burdens upon the taxpayers, my Ministers propose to meet the position as far a® possible by a drastic curtailment of expenditure. This means the suspending or severely restricting of services and monetary assistance given by the State wherever such action is feasible, without upsetting the basis organisation of the departments of 'State or causing undue hardships to the institutions- or sections of the community directly oenehdting by particular items of expenditure,

It is a. matter for regret that at ft time like the present, the difficulties of the situation should' be greatly accentuated by the fact that the railways, owing to losses incurred, have now reached the end of their separate financial resources, and cannot longer meet their obligations without substantial assistance, which in this instance can only be derived from taxation. In order tluit the additional burden to ne borne by the taxpayers ‘ may be reduced an an absolute minimum, a Royal Commission lias been set up to investigate fully all branches of the Railway Department’s activities, and to advise the Government whore economies can be effected.

Being fully aware that the basic cause of the losses incurred by the railways is the rapid development of motor transport, and the lack of coordination in transport generally, my Ministers will place before you legislative proposals which it is confidently expected will minimise the wasteful competition which now greatly increases the burdens of the people.

While it is probable that the present financial difficulties cannot be overcome without some increases in taxation, the Government are confident that given the support and cooperation of the public, the position can be met and the Budget for the year balanced without economic strain or imparting undue hardships on any section of the community.

It is a sad fact that unemployment is still a serious problem in this Dominion. My Government realises the hardship imposed upon the unfortunate members of the community who are unable to obtain work, and will continue their endeavours to provide as much employment as possible on public works and other State activities to assist in dealing with the special difficulties of married men, who are unable to leave the cities because of their domestic ties.

My Government has decided to pay subsidies on labour costs at double the former rate to urban and suburban local authorities, which undertake additional approved works. It is satisfactory to note that the position of the superannuation funds is being investigated and that increased amount of subsidy was paid into the funds last year. In due course the proposals of the Government for improving the 'financial position of these funds will be submitted for your consideration.

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIYES : My [Ministers recognising that clos-

er settlement of the land will tend to the better absorption of the Dominion’, s surplus labour and promote the prosperous develpment of the country generally, have given close attention to this important matter during the recess, and it is pleasing to record tluijh substantial progress has ‘he«n made. Not only have many estates been purchased, suit-divided and disi posed of, but also a large number of soetibns of unimproved Crown land have been made available and selected under the provisions of the Land Laws Amendment Act of last session, which authorises my Government to grant financial assistance to the selectors. Progress has also been made in the work of developing suitable blocks of Crown land prior to their selection. My advisers propose to pursue actively this method of increasing the Dominion’s production area. In the opinion of my Ministers, this phase of settlement can be greatly expanded and during the session proposals will De submitted for your consideration extending, the facilities under which such areas can be selected.

My Ministers are pleased to record that under the legislation of last session progress is being made in the development 'of native lands. Many areas in both Islands have been under consideration and work has deilnitely been commenced in eight of these blocks. These schemes will be pursued with energy ahcl with due regard to economy and farm efficiency,, and it is believed tnat they, wi,lA inspire the Maori people to utilise their lands l'O the best advantage, In conforming with the policy of my Government to affard the public of the Dominions all the advantage made possible by modern scientific developments, arrangements are in train for the early establishment of a radio telephone service between New Zealand and Australia. When this service is definitely established it is proposed to use it in conjunction with that existing between Sydney and London, as a means of furnishing a further channel of rapid communication with Great Britain and other European countries. No doubt as time goes on the link between New Zealand and Australia will be only one in a chain which will render speech possible between the Mother Country and all the outposts of the Empire. My Ministers, while keenly sensible of the importance of maintaining an adequate system of national defence, have been engaged owing to the exigencies of the public finances of the Dominion in a careful consideration of the expenditure involved, particularly in connection with the land forces. A curtailment of the rate of expenditure on this arm of defence has been lendered imperatively necessary, and you will therefore be asked to concur to certain modifications 01 the present system,

It will he remembered that last year it was foreshadowed that a select committee would be set up. and evidence taken from different sources with a view of ascertaining the best method of giving effect to an educational policy adopted to the needs of the Dominion, The committee was duly appointed and made a tour of the Dominion, visiting all schools of a distinctive evidence. Its reports will he presented early in the session as required by the order of reference, when mv advisors expect that the information obtained will be of great value in Iraming the desired policy. My Ministers regret that recent earth movements have threatened the solidarity of the hydro-electric woi ks at Arapuni and it has been found necessary to empty the reservoir, thereby involving the temporary closing of the power house. Very careful investigations into the causes are being made with the best geological advice available in the Dominion, and having regard to the importance of the matter, the Government have under consideration the engagement of an outside expert’s assistance to furnish a full report upon the position with a view to adopting remedial measures. Every effort will be made to restore the supply of electricity at the earliest possible moment.

The difficult task of endeavouring to iftolve the peon,lcons associated with unemployment has been engaging the close and earnest consideration of my advisers.

’ The recommendations contained in the second section of the report of the unemployment committee appointed in October 1928 have* been carefully studied. Proposals which it is confidently hoped will result in overcoming the hardships arising from unemployment will be brought down again at an early date, Having regard to tlie present difficult economic conditions and the prevalence of unemployment in the Dominion my Ministers are of the opinion that the restrictions now in force in connection with assisted immigration must be continued. During the recess a commission was set up for the purpose of inquiring into and reporting upon the statutes relating to compensation for accidents to workers and as a result, my Ministers intend to submit to Parliament proposals for extending the scope of existing legislation, thereby providing improved condtioos for those workers who suffer injury in the course of their employment. A special committee has been, investigating the provisions of the Shops and Offices Act and it is anticipated' that its recommendations will aim at removing certain anomalies, and also effecting, general improvements in this branch of the law.

A commission was also set up during the recess to inquire into the position of physically incapacitated sol-

diers. This commission lias reported to me, and its recommendations have been referred to my Ministers for their careful consideration. Proposals will be submitted by my advisers to, promote the welfare of disabled ex-sof-diers.

The present law relating to companies has long been out of date and my Ministers hope that it will be possible to introduce during the session, a consolidating and amending measure based on the Imperial Company Act, 1929. with such adaptions and modifications as may be considered necessary to suit local conditions. To facilitate the preparation of such a measure the Government has recently appointed a special advisory \cunnnittee icontaining (representatives of the professions of law and accountancy as well as of general commercial interests.

Consolidating and amending bills will be submitted for your considerating dealing with municipal corporations, land drainage wild river boards, and with the slaughtering and inspection of stock intended for human consumption. Bills will also (be introduced to amend the existing laws relating to judicature, coroners, apprentices, births and deaths registration, public works, native lands, offenders probation and borstal institutions. While sharing your zeal and to enhance the prosperity .of the Dominion. I earnestly pray that the discharge of your responsible duties may bp guided by Divine Providence and may promote the well being of New Zealand and its people. ‘