PARLIAMENT

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 44, 16 February 1912, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

Preliminary proceedings. (Per Press Association. j 'Wellington, February 15. The eighteenth Parliament of New Zealand was opened in the (Legislative Council by commission at 2.30 this afternoon, the commissioners being Sir Charles Bowen, Hons. Baillie, Kelly, Mills, Jenkinson, McGowan, and McLean. Tne proceedings were purely formal. , The Speaker announced that tne Governor would to-morrow declare the cause of the assembling of-Parlia-ment. Members of the House, who had been summoned to the Council Chamber, then retired to be sworn in. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. In the House members were sworn in, the only absentee, Mr. 'l. M. Wilford, member for the Hutt, and Mayor of Wellington. The election of Speaker was then proceeded with. Mr. Hanan, in moving that the hon. member for Grey (Sir A. Gu.nness) be elected Sneaker, referred to the fact that Sir Arthur had been a member since 1884, and had been Speaker for three Parliaments,, and also made eulogistic reference to the manner in which Parliament had been conducted under the Speakership of Sir Arthur Guinness.

Mr. Myers (Auckland) seconded the motion, associating himself with the sentiments expressed by the mover, and said he was sure S r A. Guinness’ presence in the chair would prevent all such regrettable scenes as had occurred in some of the Australian Parliaments.

Sir Joseph Ward, .Premier, congratulated the House upon its choice of a Speaker, and referred to his long; experience ns a Parliamentarian and his Qualifications for the position. He was very glad to find the nomination was received with extreme cordiality on the opposite side of the House, and was pleased to see that the Speaker had the good., will of every member of the House.

Mr. Massey (Leader of the Opposition) congratulated the Speaker on ills re-election. In his desire to make the New Zealand Parliament a model Parliament the Speaker would -have the assistance of every member of the House. He hoped the term would be a particularly pleasing one, and that he would' rule the proceedings of the House with the same purpose and dignity as in previous years. Rev. Isitt announced that he would speak on behalf of the Independent members—(ironical laughter)—and offered congratulations to the Speaker on his re-election. Sir Arthur Guinness tendered his sincere thanks for the honour conferred upon him, which was the highest honour in the gift of the House. He was fully aware.of the responsibilities of Ithe - office, and would to the best of his ability preserve the dignity of the House and would also endeavour to observe , due courtesy to all members without 'regard pf friendships, personal or political. Sir J„- Ward moved the adjournment of the"HotfS6'"at - 3.30 "till 2.30 p.m. on Friday. When the House resumes, after listening to the Governor’s address, notice will be given of the Addrc&s-in-Reply, and notice will bo given by Mr. Massey of his intention to propose an amendment. The usual adjournment will then he made until Tuesday afternoon, and from the moment that Mr. Massey moves his no-confidence motion at the conclusion of his speech, the third in the course of the debate, the. proceeding® frill lie of unusual interest!* it'is, impossible to say how long the debate : will last, or whan the crucial division will be taken. It will largely depend upon the attitude and the speech of the Prime Minister. '■ J > 5 6 ■g. J'V V: : - THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH. FULL PROGRAMME OF PROPOSED LECi’SLy... RADICAL REFORM OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAW. ALTERATION IN APPOINTING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. A COMMISSION OF INDUSTRIAL INVESTIGATION..

MANY REFORMS GENERALLY

Wellington, February 16. Following is the speech delivered in the House this afternoon by His Excellency the Governor: — Honourable Gentlemen of the Lsgls* lative Council anti Gentlemen of the Housa ot Representatives,— The circumstances which have arisen in consequence of the last general election hhve, in the opinion of my advisers, made • it expedient that Parliament should he called together at an earlier date than usual. During the recess I have visited various parts ol the Dominion, and made myself better acquainted with the people. I am glad to be able to congratulate you upon the continued prosperity of the country. Tne outlook is most promising, and contentment and happiness obtain everywhere. The very great and difficult question of revising our local government law has had the closest attention of my advisers, and a Bill will be introduced providing a completely now and comprehensive scheme under which, amongst many other reforms, the finances of local bodies and the important question of the construction and maintenance of roads will* be placed on a more stable and satisfactory footing. This scheme will be made the basis for radical changes in the constitution of the Legislative Council, and a Bill to carry this into effect will be introduced. Under this measure a proportion of tlie members of the Legislative Council will bo elected by the members of the provincial councils to be created by the new Local Government Bill, a proportion will be elected by the mcmliers of the House of Representatives, and a certain number will be nominated by the Government. The Bill will be referred to the local public bodies for consideration and report. My advisers consider that owing to the rapid disappeararifce of the last remnants of unalienated Crown lands legislation must be passed providing for the more effective subdivision for closer settlement purposes of freehold estates of £25,000 - unimproved value and upwards. To this end a Bill will be introduced giving the Crown power to take these estates compulsorily at a price to lie fixed by the Land Purchase Board. The Bill will provide that the land go resumed shall be sold to small settlers under a deferred payment system, and in the event of the proceeds exceeding the price paid to the owner for the land such excess, with interest, will bo paid to him, or should the pries realised he less, thou

the deficiency will he deducted from the amount payable to the owner. lr > order to promote the speedier settlement of unoccupied native lands my advisers deem it necessary to strengthen the staffing of the Native Land Courts and native land surveys. Provision will be made whereby surplus ii.ii.ive lands snail be sold or leased on behalf of tlie native owners through the Crown on the best terms obtainable. Such provision will operate concurrently with a vigorous prosecution of the purchase by the Crown of surplus native lands in order tnat tne areas reserved for tlie use and occupation of the Maori owners shall be effectively occupied by them. Special provis.on will be made under proper safeguards to assist tiiem financially and with advice and instruction in modern methods of farming. More stringent provisions will be made to deal with the aggregation of lauded estates in contravention of the law, and power will bo given the Courts to forfeit all land which lias been aggregated in breach of the law, unless tne Court is fully ' satisfied that the breach was unintentional. The existing scheme with regard to the limitation of area will be revised, and provision will be made for the standard or living areas based, not merely upon the productiveness, but also upon the position, reading, and all other main considerations affecting the areas in question. These .standards will bo so fixed as to give an area which, properly worked, will provide on a safe average ample means of subsistence. for a man and his wife and family, and a sufficient margin for saving, with a view to independence. Legislation will be introduced to prevent the present trafficking in Crown leases, and provision will be made that where a tenant sells ins lease without satisfactory cause before a certain number of years has expired a portion of the price lie obtains for the goodwill of it will be taken by the State, and the shorter the period the tenant retains nis lease tne larger the share the State will receive. Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— My advisers will place before Parliament a statement of the finances of tne Dominion which it is gratifying to know are in a ‘buoyant and satisfactory position. The graduated land tax will be adjusted, and .made more uniform, the rates being increased from tne point of £30,000 unimproved value upwards. The main purpose of the new graduated land tax will be to compel -subdivision in order to ensure oldser settlement of the lands. An alteration in the method now applying to towns and cities will be submitted - . The land tax will also be revised and the exemption for taxation purposes will be raised to £IOOO, so I ',as to give further relief to farmers and occupiers of small holdings. Legislation will also be introduced to distinguish for taxation purposes between earned and unearned incomes, so that earned incomes shall bear a smaller burden of taxation than those which are .unearned; also to reduce the tax payable by widows with limited incomes, and to distinguish between incomes,of parents who are educating and maintaining a family and mosv wno nave no such responsibility. Honourable Gentlemen cf the Legislative uotinoil, and Gentlemen cf f this H3ii£3 of Representatives,— My advisers fully ■ recognise also that the increasing complexity of many social questions demands a competent and impartial investigation of the facts upon which these questions arc a a sen. It is piojioseo to create a standing commission of industrial investigation consisting of two representatives of the labour unions and one each of the industrial, commercial and landed interests. Tin's commission will enquire into any question affecting the cost of living, the existence of monopolies, and other, pressing “i.bci;)'l aqd. .qiicipstpial problems, including the question' of unemployment and sickness, and after enquiry will report thereon to Parliament. By this means my Ministers hope to provide the people as, : a .whole, with full and relihule information regarding the facts from which urgent social and industrial questions are now arising, and also furnish Parliament with the basis for nefiossary remedial legilsation. Improved legislation will be introduced dealing with the labour troubles which -ave recently arisen in New Zealand, in this connection my advisers propose to amend the present Industrial Jonciliation and Arbitration Act in .he direction of removing causes that lead to unnecessary friction between employers and employees. Under the proposed amendment the president of -lie Arbitration Court will not necessarily lie a Supreme Court judge or other lawyer, but, as bus been found expedient in Canada, some practical recognised authority in economic science. My Government have had under careful consideration, as tubful stop towards industrial harmony, the promotion of volutary profit-shar-ing with a reasonable share for employees in the business in which they

n-e employed in all suitable industrial enterprises /by means of a new system r Mine guarantee of capital" required by the workers on condition that workers and employers jointly iiUemmfy the State against loss. The report of the Mines Commission lias been received, which, together with •evidence, will be duly placed before yon. My advisers wilt .submit important proposals for the benefit of these 'working in mines and for the improvement of this important industry. Mr. -'vncahcT. and Gentlemen cf the House of Representatives,— Experience lias shown that the present electoral law Is not working satisfactorily, and that in practice many people entitled to vote arc disfranchised; Substantial. changes in our electoral law will therefore he submitted for your consideration. My advisors recognise that the time ims arrived for a complete revision of the Customs tariff by experts and upon scientific lines, which have been adopted with such great success rn Canada, Germany, and other countries, with a view to a true protective system, encouraging suitable local industries and enabling them to provide fuller employment and better wages for our people. In this connection, too, under the altered system cf graduated tax upon land, sufficient revenue will ho obtained to warrant a reduction in duty on tobacco and many articles of daily use required by small farmers, workers and their wives and families. Further concessions will bo made in railway passenger fares for children up to five years of age. They will travel free; from live to fourteen years at quarter fates. This will give greater opportunities to those who can ill afford to pay to secure some change, not only for health purposes, but also for purposes of occupation and daily life. It is also proposed to revise railway freight rates with a view to reduction on certain articles for counby settlers. Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Ocuncil and Gentleman cf the House cf Representatives,— Fn order to promote further opening up and development of the country, my Government will continue to actively prosecute the making of railI ways, roads and bridges. My advisers recognise that the health of tho

community is a national asset, and should, as far as possible, be promoted and protected nationally, in Inrtlierance oi tnis object tne principle ot the existing system of trained nurses will ue extended ny providing medical attendance for all loose wno are not reasonably nolo to secure same, wliebnor tliey bc tne small fanner or woncer or their wives or cmklren. Convalescent homes will also be establisnecl for mothers after maternity. Legislation dealing w.tn old-age pensions will be submitted fixing tne age for women at

sixty }ears ana for widows at fiftylive years,- without any restriction as to children. Jne proposals for invalidity cases will also be placed before you. It is proposed to establish a liureiva of Justice by providing at the expense - of • tne State m all proper cases legal assistance for protection and defence of a man’s rights and liberty where he has not tne means of scvur.ng suen assistauce,.,-Faets have come before my advisers which show that trusts and combines are operating to some extent in tins Dominion, and as the existing legislation may prove, insufficient to supress tne evil, a Bill extending the present law will „ P introduced. Tne success wliicn has followed State enterprise m -New Zealand Jms induced my advisers to decide upon the nationalisation of the iron industry. By providing.,cheapex material me iron working establishments that now employ a large number M people will oe able to greatly expand'their opera tions and employment will be found for a great number of workers in producing iron ana steel from tne raw products. 11 satisfmtory arrangements cannot be mace with regard to the development of tne on items ox tne Dominion by puvate enterprise, or if any attempt is made to put it under the control oT any trust or combine, tnat mans try will ue nationalised as well. Proposals will be submitted to establish a State coal mine and coal depots m the provincial district of Auckland, m order to give the inestimable advantage ot cheapei coal to the people of that province. My Ministers are satisfied that it would be of great advantage to the workers in the different centres if they were .able to acquire cottage farms from the State sufficiently near menusual work to enable them to employ their spare time upon these farms in fruit growing, -dairying, market gardening, or other profitable pui poses. The proposed system is based upon lines which have proved so success!ul in England and America, and on the Continent of Europe. My Government, as the result of practical experiments oil poor- and what has hitherto been regarded as unproductive land, have elec .tied to sot aside areas for disposal on easy terms for fruit-growing under co-operative associatons and small holdings to individuals, and for tuis purpose will render reasonable financial assistance to enable the farms in tne earner stages is to be profitably worked the legislation introduced last year for the creation and promotion. of co-operative garden® and banks will be proceeded with, but with more el fee-mve machinery than the Bill of . last session contained. Tne Bill providing lor a State note issue in New Zealand, which was before Parliament 'last year, will be re-intreduced. Anomalies exist in the first division of the Railway Depart* ment, and legislation will be submitted providing for a more equitable classification-of the members of that ,brauch of the service. My advisers hold that the ideal of our education system should be to make it free from tne primary school to the university, and proposals 'to give effect to this will be submitted Special provision will also be made for the development of agricultural Coleges and experimental farms to equip our present and future settlers with the best and most up-to-date scientific training. You will, I feci confident, give the position of the Dominion and the several matters I have brought under your notice, together with the. measures that are to bo submitted, your earnest and careful consideration, and I trust that your labours and decisions may, with God’s blessings, result in materially promoting the prosperity, happiness, well-be-ing and lasting benefit of the people of New Zealand.