OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 478, 29 June 1912, Page 5

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. Parliament was opened on Thursday afternoon and tno Governor's Speech was read. The following extracts

therefrom referring to matters intimately affecting this district will be read with interest. LAND SETTLEMENT.

I The settlement of Crown lands and of estates acquired under the Land for I Settlement Act has bean steadily proi scented, and shows satisfactory results During the past year a greater area of land has been purchased than during the preceeding twelve months, and every endeavour has been made to survey Crown lands and subdivide the areas still available for disposal where they are suitable for settlement. The sustained demand for land is rapdily exhausting the balance of the Crown estate, so that a vigorous prosecution of the policy of acquiring privately owned and native land for closer settlement purposes is absolutely necessary, and will be given effect to, Since the passing of the Native Land Act, 1909, considerable progress has been made in the settlement and opening of the native land. Over a million acres have been alienated to the Crown by private persons since the coming into operation of the Act, and at the present time three-quarters of a million acres are under survey. It is the intention of the Government to restrict the trafficking in Crown that prevail in part 3 of the Dominion, and to insure that Crown land is selected and occupied by bona fide settlers. It is also their intention to introduce legislation to prevent speculation in Crown lands, and to promote closer settlement by all practicable means. LOCAL BODIES' LOANS.

I My advisers, the speech said, realise the great importance of loca l bodies being assisted to carry on the work of colonisation and settlement, and, whilst recognising that the fluctuations of the money market may from time to time compel care in the raising of money for the purpose stated, are of the opinion that the Dominion should steadily pursue the policy of assisting the outer districts by advancing money to local bodies for long period* and at low rates of interest, preference being given to loans that are intended to provide acces to the back blocks. Assistance may also be given to other local authorities by the State guaranteeing their loans. DEFENCE. It is proposed to amend cha Defence Act in the direction of substituting military detention in camp or barracks in lieu of imprisonments in the case of failure or refusal to parade or for similar breaches of the Act. This is the practice in Australia. Other miscellaneous alterations in the Act are proposed to further facilitate the settlement of the surplus. NATIVE LANDS. The Government considers that it will be necessary to make amendments tn the Native Land The functions of the Maori Boards will require to be extended bo as to give presiding officers powers of Commissioners of the Native Land Court. This, by allowing these officers to deal with questions of succession, will facilitate the Wurk ing of the Native Land Court, whilst the judge 3 will be able to continuously carry on the larger sphere of work, such as partitions, and the completion of titles to customary lands. Provision will also be made for strengthening the staff of the Native Land Courts, and if found necessary, additional judges will be appointed. Steps will also be taken to ensure a more expeditious method of dealing with "napatupu" or customary lands, and a number of other amendments will be made in the Act. Care will be taken to prevent speculation in native lands, and every possible facility will be j given in the direction of assisting bona fide settlement. In order that j the areas reserved for the use and oc- I cupation of the Maori owners shall be effectively occupied by them, special provision will be made under proper safeguards, to assist them financially, and also with advic9 and instruction in modern methods of farming. To obviate the delay that has been experienced in obtaining surveys of lands after they have been dealt with by the Natve Land Court, it is intended to expedite such surveys, allowing the Maori Land Boards to arrange work by private contract.