Parliament of New Zealand

Levin Daily Chronicle, 28 June 1917, Page 3

Parliament of New Zealand

* (By Telegraph). Wellington, This Day. Parliament was opened at 2.30 p.m. this day (Thurs'day). THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. Hon, Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.— It is with pleasure i again meet you in Parliament asembled. In recognition of the services rendered l>v New Zealand since the outbreak of war and to mark the status of the Domiuion, a signal mark of Royal favor has been recently extended in the bestowal by His Majesty the King of the dignity and title of Governor-General on' myself. I regret to say that death has removed one of my advisers, the late Honorable Dr. MeNab, who held the portfolios of Minister of Justice, Marine and Stamps. During tho recess the course of the great war lias been definitely in favor of the Empire and its Allies. The Imperial Navy, true to its past history, is meeting new and difficult conditions as they arise with courage, resource and success. It is speially gratifying to note that the transport of our regular reinforcements has proceeded without interrupt.in, and happily without loss. The Imperial troops have exercised constant pressure on our enemies, driving them from many elaborately prepared position. Bagdad, the old highway from west to east, is in the possession of British and Indian troops. This makes it possible, in settling terms of peace, to prevent the development on the part of our enemies designed to disturb our peace in the future. The land forces of His Majesty's dominions beyond the seas have been honored with important tasks on several battlefields, and they have proved invariably that the quality of their courage and endurance and discipline fitted them to fight besides their gallant comrades of the British regular army. The battle of the Somme, the capture of Bapaume, Vimy Ridge, Rafa, and the recent storming of the German lines at Messines and Wyisehaete, in which the troops of the various dominions took so large a part give assurance that in whatever further tasks may he allotted to them they will not faiil. All New Zealand has 'been stirred by the story of the capture of Messines by the brave men who left our own shores. In the early part of the present year Germany adopted a policy of unrestricted and indiscriminate submarine warfare. The development has failed in its principal object of reducing Great Britain and France to submission by starvation. But the large addition to the number of /German. submarines' has increased the danger to shipping and increasing the number of losses, with the result that the Imperial Government has found it necessary to

requistition for Imperial necessities ships formerly engaged exclusively in the carriiaffe of produce from the Dominion to the Mother Country. The consequent reduction of the ordinary facilities for export of New Zealand produce, especially frozen meat, wool, butter and cheese has occasioned inconvenience and anxiety, and has been the subject of constant communication between my Ministers, and the Imperial Government. It is impossible to forecast the tonnage which Ivill be available for New Zealand exports, but there is reason to hope that the position may prove more satisfactory than wa.s at one time anticipated. In common .with every other part of the Empire, this Dominion is deeply impressed by. and gratified for. the determination of the great Eng-lish-speaking people of the west to asssisfc the oaue of freedom and right. It would be difficult to measure tbe material, financial and moral support which the United States already bias provided, and will provide in the future. The Administration of the occupied Samoan Islands has boon efficiently caried out. and there is

every reason to believe that the native population is happy under British control, and ha** no desire to revert to the conditions which prevailed prior to the occupation by New Zealand troops. T have recontl.v informed my Ministers that the Socretnrv of State for the Colonies has assured me that tbe Imperial Government fully realize the importance to this dominion of the destiny of the German colnics in the Pacific, and that when tbe times cotnes for decision the fullest consideration will !;e given to the wishes of the 'New Zealand ' Government. Voluntary recruiting has continued with considerable success, but since last November has been insuffiient in itself to provide the reinforcements required and it therefore became necessary to bring tbe Military Service Act into operation. Tbe leva! and whole-hearted support of the act by the people of this country lias been of mr)st .incalculablo assistance to my Ministers'. Ttte men drawn in the bal'ot have also by their ready response to the call for service removed most of the difficulties which might have been expected at the initiation ol a system without precedent in 'New | Zealand. A new departure has been made in the establishment of the N«-

others comprised in the organization, j have gratuitously given their time and experience to the State. I feel sure chat their patriotic services are fully j appreciated by the people of this do- j miuioii. At the invitation of Imperial . Government repsonsible Statesmen of the Dor.iinions and of India met recently in England to confer on the present difficulties and 1 future constitution of the great empire to which we belong. '1 he attendance ol my Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance at this lmeprial ConiereiK-e has enabled them to obtain information of value t my Government and to this dominion. The presence of my Ministers, with the responsible Ministers of other dominions at meetings of the War Cabinet was an event remarkable in oiu li.-sL.jry. It indicates the rtv cognition by the Imperial Government ef the growth of the dominions, the responsibilities of the Empire. and the right of the dominions to representation when issues vital to their safety and interests may be under consideration. 1 have .been glad within the last two days to welcome homo my two Ministers and their families, and am confident you will find the course of your deliberations simplified and facilitated by the experience they have gained, not only in Great Britain but at the seat of war on the western front. Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, Yon will find in the public acounts of tho past year, and the Estimates for the present year proof that economy has been and is being exercised in every department o the State. The war expenses mrpt of necessity incrase, but this increased expenditure is essential to give effect to our determination that New Zealand shall bear her full part until victory is gained. In the present session you will be asked to determine what part of those expenses shall lie met by loan raised within the dominion. The existence ol a National Government phohibits the inclusion in the program of legislation any mr:isuiv« other than such as aie necessary to enable our country to carry out its obligation to assist in bringing the wjir to an earlv and successful conclusion. You will thereemergencies of this dominion and of fore be invited to legislate to deal with the empire as a whole and the provision of means to meet our financial obligations. I trust that divine providence may guide your deliberations to the advantage of our sovereign of this empire and of this dominion.