Parliament.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3703, 23 August 1906, Page 3

Parliament.

The second session ol the sixteenth Parliament ol New Zealand was opened on Tuesday auernoou by His Excellency ike Governor, Lord Plunket. The general policy outlined is a continuation of that which has prevailed for fifteen years past. The application of scientific education to the processes of primary production, the encouragement _ of the raining industry, the active prosecution of railway works, the further amendment of the labour laws, the beneficial occupation of native lands, the making of large landed ;enaOV/. m^ fct educational and benevolent purposes, the institution of a scheme of national pensions, the reform of the local government system and the extension of maternity homes and residences for WofketS} important amendments in the land faWs, the opening up of fresh markets for New Zealand produce, the extension of commerce to the East, the promotion of {fade with Canada and the United States, the Cheapening of freights, the continuance of the subsidised mail service to San Francisco, combined with efforts to secure the direct benefits of the Vancouver line and the Royal mail service of the Commonwealth, reforms affecting the Civil Service are promised, in the shape of classification and superannuation schemes ; the improvement ot the system of audit in the accounts of Government departments and public bodies. The question of colonial defence is to be “ reviewed and weighed.” Sir Joseph Ward announced his Ministry, Mr Massey, leader of the Opposition, after congratulating the Ministry, hoped that its policy measures would be such as wonld conduce to the best interests of the country , and of such a nature that the members around him would be able to support. Sir Joseph Ward in acknowledging the congratulations hoped the measures to be submitted would be in the general interests of ~ the i colony. He regretted that changes were necessary in the 1 Ministry. • Mr C. H.’Mills thanked the. Premier for his kind expressions, on behalf of himself and Mr Dun--can. The Expiring Laws Continuation Bill was read a first’time, and the House adjourned at 3.45 p.m.