OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 580, 28 June 1913, Page 5

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, Friday. The House of Representatives having selected its Speaker yesterday, the way was cleared for the "Speech from the Throne" today.. There was a large attendance of of both Houses in the Legislative Council when Lord Liverpool met the representatives of the people for the first time. After the usual reference on the part of the Governor .with respect to his arrival the following matters were dealt with: — GROWTH OF TRADE. "It is pleasing for me to be able to announce that the volume of trade during the past year was the largest recorded in the history ot the Dominion. The outlook for the coming season is bright, and, although a world - Wide financial stringency, caused by the disturbed condition of affairs in Europe, and by large and extraordinary demands for money, has not disappeared, still there is every reason to believe that the ,experience through which New Zealand and other countries are passing" is only tsansient, and that, notwithstanding temporary financial restriction, the Dominion may look forward to another year of continued prosperity and satisfactory remuneration for those engaged in her industries. LAND SETTLEMENT. "The agricultural and pastoral industries of the Dominion stil! continue to expand, and the constant demand for small areas of land points to the conclusion that the future of New Zealand is closely bound up with development in the country districts, and that land suitable for settlement whether Crown land, native land, or privately-owned land, cannot be allowed to remain unproductive,, but must be utilised for the benefit the Dominion as whole. You will be glad to learn that during the recess ; the operations of the Land for Settlements Act have been extensive. Returns will be laid before 'you, showing the area of land purchased and sub- ; divided in pursuance of the powers contained in this statute. The subdivision of privately-owned estates is also proceeding satisfactorily. "The construction of railways and the making of roads are being vigorously proceeded with, and no effort is being spared to develop the agricultural, pastoral, mining, and other resource 3 of the country. CONVERSION TO FREEHOLD. "The legislation passed last session relative to the settlement and occupation ot land is working satisfactorily, and is enabling a considerable number of settlers who were holders of leases from the Crown to exchange their leases for freehold titles. A measure will be submitted for your consideration, extending the principle contained in the legislation of last year to lands held upon lease under the Lands for Settlement Act, and also providing for the more satisfactory settlement of land in mining districts, while, at the same time, pre serving mining rights and privileges. "The leases of a number of runs held from the Crown under pastoral license expired during the past year, and, pending the result of legisaltion during the present session, were renewed for one year only. You wil be asked to amend the. law under which these lands are held, so as to give better security of tenure and more encouragement for improvement, with the object of increasing the carrying capacity and productiveness of the large areas of the hill country, suitable only for sheep farming. BRANCH RAILWAYS. "The rapid progress of settlemsnt in many parts of the Dominion accentuates the urgent necessity for improving the present means of communication "by the construction of branch railways . In response to numerous requests from groups of settlers, that they should be permitted to construct branch railways themselves, my advisers propose to introduce legislation which will give effect to this expressed desire, and at the' same time carefully safeguard the interests of the public. NAVAL DEFENCE. "During his visit to Great Britain, the Hor. the Minister of Defence discussed with representatives of his Majesty's Government matters relating to naval defence in the Pacific. The result of these conferences will I be laid before you. RECIPROCITY WITH AUSTRALIA. "During tha recess, the Minister of Customs visited Australia, and there entered into negotiations for a reciprocal trade treaty between the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand. The papers relating to these negotiations will be presented to Parliament. recipcocal old age pension agreement was aI:o and proposals will be submitted to you for ratification this session. FISHING INDUSTRY. "I am pleased to be uhle to inform you that with a view to establishing the fishing industry of the Dominion upon a sound basis the Government has arranged for the chief administrator of the Canadian Fisheries Department to visit New Zealand.

GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. THE MINISTERIAL POLICY. LAND SETTLEMENT. PRIVATE BRANCH RAILWAYS. A BUSY SESSION.

MILITARY TRAINING. "You will be gratified to learn that the system of compulsory military training is firmly established, and that its beneficial effect upon the character and physique of the youth of the Dominion is already apparent. The excellent spirit whch pervades the whole force, and the keenness displayed by all ranks, augur well for the future. My Government has invited General Sir lan Hamilton, InspectorGeneral of thfi Oversea Forces, to visit New Zealand. The invitation has been accepted, and this distinguished officer will arrive in the Dominion in April, 1914. INDUSTRIAL ARRBITRATION. "It is a matter for congratulation that employment, especially in the rural districts, can be obtained with out difficulty. "It is proposed to submit for your consideration some important amendments, to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, which it is hoped will enable the parties to industrial disputes to effect a speedy and reasonable settlement, without involving the country in tlie trade dislocations and industrial losses which strikes and lockouts invariably cause. "A Bill consolidating and amending the Shops and Offices Act will also be introduced. WORKERS' DWELLINGS. "During the past year a considerable area of land has been purchased in pursuance of the powers contained in the Workers' Dwellings Act. A Bill will be introduced to enable the operation of this useful measure to be more easily applied to country districts. The Estimates of expenditure for this year will include a sum sufficient to provide for this work. NATIVE LAND. "The important question of the settlement of areas of unused native land has received the earnest consideration of my advisers, and a Bill will be laid before you containing provisions which will make for the more expeditious settlement of such lands. A measure dealing with the rating of native lands will be also submitted to you. LOAN AND REVENUE. "Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, the state of the country's finance made it necessary that the Hon. the Minister of Finance should pay a visit to Great Britain during the recesß. You will be pleased to hear that his mission was eminently successful, and that, notwithstanding the existence of unfavourable financial conditions in England, he was able to complete arrangements of a highly satisfactory character. Particulars of the various transactions which the Minister successfully negotiated will be submitted to you for consideration. "The public revenue is steadily inceasing, and you will doubtless be gratified to learn that as a result of the increased taxation upon 1 estates the receipts derived from source been considerably augmented, and more important still that subdivision and settlement have been encouraged and accelerated. "The estimates for the services of the ensuing year will be laid before you without delay. REFORM OF THE COUNCIL. "Honourable gentlemen of the Legis l.itive Council ard gentlemen of the Reuse of representatives, a measure w ; iI be submitted to you providing for the reform of the Legislative Council in i manner which my advisers believe will increase the usefulness of that blanch of the Legislature. A CROP OF BILLS. "Proposals wil' also be introduced by which it is hoped that the cost of living will be lessened to persons of small incomes. "There are now ready for your consideration Bills consolidating and amending the law relating to pensions, a measure bringing the law of copyright into line with the law of Great Britain and other leading European nations, measures amending the existing statutes affecting local bodies, a graduated Income Tax Bill, a consolidation and amendment of the State Guaranteed Advances Act, an amendment of the Pubilc Revenues Act, an amendment of the Land Transfer Act, a Bill defining the law of libel, measures enabling advances to be made to persons engaged in the fruit industry, amending the law governing the Police Force, altering the constitution of the Public Trust Office Board, as well as other Bills dealing with matters of public interest."