PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1732, 30 June 1917, Page 1

PARLIAMENT.

THE SESSION OPENS. SPEECH FROM THE THRONE. The third session of the nineteenth Parliament of New Zealand was opened on Thursday afternoon, with due pomp aiid 'circumstance,by His Excellency the GovernorGeneral, the Earl of Liverpool. His Excellency was accompanied by the Countess of Liverpool. A guard of honour was provided from Trenthaui Camp. Promptly at 2.30 p.m.. their Excellencies drove up in the Viceregal motor-car, the guard coming to the salute. Then the band played life National Anthem, and their Excellencies entered the Legislative Council Chamber. Black Rod summoned the members of the House of Representatives, and His Excellency proceeded to read the Speech from the Throne. It was as follows: —• "Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of-.the House of Representatives. "It is with pleasure I again meet you in Parliament assembled. "In recognition of the services rendered by New Zealand since the outbreak of Avar, and to mark the \ status of the Dominion, a signal mark of Royal favour has been recently extended in the bestowal by His Majesty the King of the dignity and title of Governor-General upon myself. "I regret, to say that death has removed one of my advisers, the late Honourable Dr Robert M'Nab, who held the portfolios of Justice, Marine, and Stamps. "During the recess the course rff: the great.war lias been definitely in favour 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 specially gratifying to note that the transport of our regular reinforcements has proceeded without interruption, and happily without loss. "Imperial troops have exercised constant pressure on our enemies', driving them from many elaborately prepared positions, "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 developments on the part of our enemies designed to disturb our peace in the future. "The land forces, of His Majes- ' ty's Dominions beyond the seas have been honoured with important ■ tasks on several battlefields, and they have invariably proved that the quality of their courage, endurance, and discipline fitted them to fight beside 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 Messincs and Wytschaete, in which the troops of the various Dominions took so large a give assurance (that in whatever further tasks may be allotted to them they will not fail. 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 lhe danger to shipping, and the number of losses, with the result that the Imperial Government has found it necessary to requisition for Imperial necessities ships formerly exclusively engaged in the carriage* of produce from the Dominions to the Mother Country. The consequent reduction of the ordinary facilities for export of New Zealand produce, especially froken meat, wool, butter, and cheese, has occasioned inconvenience and anxiety, and has'been the subjeetj>f constant communication between my Ministers and the Imperial Government. It is impossible to forecast the tonnage which will be available for New Zealand exports, but there is reason to hope tliat the position may prove more satisfactory than was at one time anticipated. "In common with every other part of the Empire, this Dominion is deeply impressed by and grateful for the determination of the great English-speaking people of the West to assist the cause of freedom and right. It would be difficult to measure the material, financial, and moral support which the United States has already provided, and will provide in the future. "The administration of the occupied Samoan Islands has been efficiently carried out, and tfttere is e% r ery reason to believe that the' Native population is happy under

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE.

British control, and has no desire to revert to the conditions which prevailed prior to the occupation by New Zealand troops. “I have recently informed my Ministers that the Secretary of State for the Colonies has assured me that the Imperial Government fully realises the vital importance to this Dominion of the destiny of the German colonies in the Pacific, and that when the time comes for decision the fullest consideration will be given to the wishes of the New Zealand Government. “Voluntary recruiting has continued with considerable success, but since last November has been insufficient in itself to provide the reinforcements required, and it tlleiefore became necessary to bring the Military Service Act into operation. The loyal and whole-hearted support of the Act by the people of this country has been of incalculable assistance to my Ministers, The men drawn in the ballot have also, by. their ready response to the call for service, removed most of the difficulties which might have been expected at the initiation of a system without precedent in New Zealand. “A new departure has been made in the establishment of the National Efficiency Board. The gentlemen composing the board and many others comprised in the organisation have gratuitously given their time and experience to the State, and 1 feel sure that their patriotic services are fully appreciated by the people of this Dominion. “At the invitation of the Imperial Government, responsible statesmen of the Dominions and of India met recently in England to confer on the present, difficulties and future constitution of 1 lie great Empire to which we belong. The attendance of my Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance at this Imperial Conference has enabled them to obtain information of value to 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 our history. It indicates the recognition by the Imperial Government of the growth of the Dominions, the responsibilities of Empire, and the right of the Dominions to representation when issues vital to their safely and interests may be under consideration. “I have been glad within the last two days to welcome home my (wo 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 sqat of war on the Western front. “Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives'. “You will tind in the Public Accounts of the past year and the estimates for the present year proof that economy has been, and is being, exercised in every Department: of (lie State. “The war expenses must of necessity increase, 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 bo asked to determine what part of those expenses shall be met by loan raised within the Dominion. “Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives. “The existence of a National Government prohibits the inclusion in the programme of legislation to be proposed to you by my Ministers of any measures other than such as are necessary to enable our country to carry out its obligation to assist in bringing the war to an early and successful conclusion. You will therefore be invited to devote your attention to legislation dealing with the present emergencies of this Dominion and of 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 his Empire, and of this Dominion,”