King Country Chronicle Saturday, June 27th, 1914 THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 681, 27 June 1914, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Saturday, June 27th, 1914 THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

The Speech froth the throne/ Which eonveya to Parliament the programme of the Government rarely contain i ar y startling information. The various political questions are so widely discussed throughout the, recess that the public haa at least a aoand general conception of what is contemplated long before Parliament opens. In respect to' %: Governor's Speech, which ~. ijras %ead at the opening of Parliament ou Thursday, there is little to be said inasmuch as we are f * m !H a f * ith to? propoaals outlined. AC feature of tha Speech which it of the greatest importance to this diatriet ia the recognition of the neeesincreaeed attention to roading. and the proposals in this connection will be ' awaited with the keenest noßi ible interest. An alteration in rtspeet to subsidies and grants ia foreshadowed, - and judging, from ItfMaterial pronouncements on the subjeet, the system hitherto employed will be plseed on a more businesslike footing. It is to be aineerely hoped that the alteration: will be in the direction of assuring to local bodies a definite measure cf financial assistance in rcapect to loans raised by the settlers for permanent work,- so that the peojplefrho are helping themselves will be ablei to formulate their schemes with an exact knowledge of their responsibility.' Hitherto the granting of subsidies haa been to a certain degree problematical and loans have been delayed awaiting the result of applications for subsidies. With a fixed aeale of sabsidiea the settlers would be in a position to proceed on business Ikes with their proposals and much unnecessary delay and misapprehension would be obviated. Regarding the legislative proposals touehed upon in the Speeeb, it is unnecessary to comment. For the most part they are merely carrying into effect measures which have previously bean before the country. Considerable controversy is bound to be caused by the proposals in connection with the licensing law, Bible%reading in State schools, and the question of naval defence. The social questions will be debated from a non-party point of view, but judging from .recent political, speeches, the, defence, question will be the medium of a heated party controversy. It is gratifying to observe in connection with the prospects of "the country a distinctly optimistic note is sounded, and financial matters are in a healthy condition. Altogether, the session promises to provide ample work for the members and with the knowledge that a general election is impending, the attitude of the respective parties in respect to the policy questions. contained in the Speech will be marked with interest. ; • •' •