GOVERNOR’S SPEECH

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1932, Page 6

GOVERNOR’S SPEECH

OPENING SESSION.. OF NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT. (Per flavour of Government). WELLINGTON, September 22. Tlxe second session of i.he New Zealand Parliament this year opened at Wellington in find weather to-day. ' the Gtovernoir-Gfcuieulal/s speech from tli© throne was a« follows. “Honoura'bille gentlemen of the Legislative Co an ell, and gentlemen of the House of Representatives.. The financial and economic position of the Dominion having rendered necessary a special session of Parliament which (oncluded in May last, you have been summoned to meet again for the normal session on ’.a date later, this year than is customary. During the recess I. have taken the opportunity to visit various parts of tile Dominion and to meet their inhabitants belonging to all classes and occupants, and I desire to express my keen appreciation of the cordial welcome which they have everywhere extended to me as' His ■fylakistyls. representative, : and of the 'courageous .and resourceful spirit with which, they are facing the present economic crisis.

.“My 'Ministers have consistently held tli© view that an increase in inter-Empima trade must “he of benefit to the peoples of the British Commonwealth, and, accordingly, they warmly welcomed the convening of the Imperial Economic- Conference vvhiclj met recently at Ottawa. At this Conference the Dominion was represented 4 by the Right Hon. J. G. Coates and the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, and the results of its deliberations have been a matter of satisfaction to the Government. Details of the agreements entered into at Ottawa will be laid before you for consideration.

“I have beetti happy to note indications that the depression from which New Zealand, in common with the. whole world has been suffering, if becoming less severe and it is possible to hope tor a return to prosperity at no distant date. At the same time tlfe Government are convinced that the existing economic disturbance oari be overcome' only by international action •in the direction of the abolition of the numieiroos financial restrictions at present hampering world trade. My Ministers lmve therefore attached the utmost importance to the recent conference at Laiislmw, ■ a.nd*' they have followed its deliberations with deep interest, a? calculated to enhance confidence and promote commercial intercourse..

' “Complete success, in their opinion, must depend upon international co-operation, and my Ministers hope -fehatoa-sttßafantigl measii!Eß..c£-progress, .will bo achieved, by. the world economK conference, .which "is" now 'contemplated My Ministers Waive continued their whole hearted support of the League of Nations and of the principles of permanent world peace. ! which it is its oojieot to promote. They have beer represented by their High Commissioner at the Disarmament Conference, which has been sitting at Geneva during the current year, and it i:s their earnest hope that when the Conference Te-assembles it will be able tc effect a material reduction in international armaments.

“Mr 'Sneaker, and gentlemen of the House of Owin'largely to the prices of primary products in the worlds markets continuing to fall during the past financin' 1 yeeir, the disorganisation of oil!- econo mic life has bee/n accentuated to such an extent that the Government felt it necessary to submit drastic proposal' to meet the situation. More adequate provision to rteliey© - unemplqymen' was found to h© essentia!, despite the fact that the cost of providing this relief increased the heavy burdens already pressing upon the people. So extensive a fall in prices altered all previous standards of values, and its suddenness and rapidity caused many borrowers serious embarassment.

“The legislation passed during your special session to enable them tc maintain production, and in order to spread the financial burden as equitably as possible over all sections of the community, has afforded considerable relief. The stagnation in trade and industry was inevitably reflected in the public finances, and, notwithstanding additional taxation, reductions in salaries and wages, and other economies, the efforts of my Ministers to balance the budget were unsuccessful, and the financial year closed witji a deficit of £2,140,000. “It is -gratifying to note however that this amount is more than offset by reserves accumulated in more prosperous times. The National Expenditure Cbmmissiion which was appointed to- assist in effecting further economies in state expenditure, eon'sequent upon the I l ©dneed 1 revenue, has now submitted its finiincia] report. Many of its recommendations have already been envied out, and legislation will be submitted to give effect to others, the .adoption of which is considered desirable in spite of prevalent adverse conditions.

A loan of £5.000.000 was ruc'<of»fully floated in London in April, and. of this amount, £4,000,000 was °llo r ‘r>ted to. the .redemption of short term loans, and the remainder to public works.

‘‘My Ministers . are of .the opinion that the conferences at Lausanne and Ottawa, together with the large conversion loan successfully negotiated 'in- Quest ."Pritain, have inspired a healthy and wowising return of. conTmpivivdd treble I conditions will result in better price] for the

Dominions’ products in external markets, and the national income thus augmented will benefit all classes of our people. Renewed activity in business will aid materially in accelerating economic equilibrium, and my Ministers are anxious not to discourage enterprise by imposing upon the community any further burden, although tlie budgetary position still demands anxious consideration. Every effort is | being made to avoid the necessity for j any increase in taxation during the current financial year. As a mtcwsuie for relief, my Ministers recently decided to restore the system of penny postage. “Honourable gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and gentlemen of the House of Representative-;- 'ln common with' other -sections of the farming community, Crown settlers have been adversely affected by economic conditions, and, in many cases ; it has been necessary to grant liberal concession* iu order -to ensure th 6 continued occupation of their holdings. It is gratifying to learn from my Ministers that the work 1 of developing areas ol unimproved Crown land is progressing satisfactorily, and that the subdivisions already selected give promise of (successful occupation. It has been found necessary, however, largely to suspend the purchase of estates tor th e pui-po-'e of dloser settlement, but every effort is being mad© to meet the demand for small dairy farms by' rendering available for selection suitable areas of Crown land, and by applying the iprovisions of the legislation of last session under which substantial advances may be made to prospective settlers who tare desirous of purchasing '•ections of .freeholcl property. ' •‘The development of native lands is being, pursued with energy', and with due regard to the requirements of the various Maori communities concerned. “The number 01 in operate: at the end of last , year was forty-one. I On many of tiives© subdivisions have 'been carried out, and farm units ‘established, particular attention being directed to dairying. The provision ol work on native lands for unemployed Maoris has been of material assistance in affording them much needed relief, and in reducing the expenditure ol unemployment funds. “Tile assistance rendered under tin Hawkes Bay Earthquake Act, 1931, tc those who suffered loss as a re art o. th 6 catastrophe of last y ear i* afi been of great benefit to this area. The Rehabilitation Committee which was set up to consider applications for ief has completed its difficult t: and the progress already made in the restoration jof the district affoids ample proof that its work has been well done. PA Bill to 'consolidate and amend the law relating to companies will be submitted for your consideration, to bring the law of New Zealand into harmony with the company law iEngland, but modified so as to meet local requirements. These amendment -ar e - deemed-necessary in order .to K.ivS~ >tfect to the recommendations of Mb advisory committed appointed for. ..!• f purpose in 1930. “Bills will be laid before you rel-' ing. to the rating of urban “arm landind to safety in building romiructicr for itlhe amendment of the law concr-rn-ing customs, banking, superannuaO - native lands, hospitals, and charitnbk institutions,' remedies for hve stock diseases, the poultry industry, art’ weights and measures, and f'“’ + consolidation of the Municipal Corporations Act and its amendments.. “I trust that, with God’s blessing, your deliberations - may promote . .the welfar e and prosperity of the Dominion and its people.’’ ••**■•'''*.