PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 152, 1 July 1903, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH

Wellington, June 30, j Honourable Gentlemes of the Legislative L'oukcil and GentleMen of the House of Representatives, When I list addre'Sid you the intelligence of His Majesty's illness cast a gloom over our procaediogs bu% thanks to A'mighty God, His Majesty's health has been nss'.ored and tin Corona tion took place on the 9th August las*. i When d-liveiiDg my fLs 1 ; speech on th<> opening of Parliament I expr> s ed the assurance that, with careful ad-' ministration at.d reasonable opportuui-1 ties, this colony had a gr-'at future I , before it; thit I would visit rha different parts of the colony and obtain a personal kno sledge (f the richneS4 of . the eoil, note the industrial and comI mercial enterprises, and the wealth end ' extent of the mineral d -posits. I have visi'eJ ulinost evoiy part of this grjat and beautiful colony, and the favourable impressiins first formed bavi been fully confirmed. I am p oud to fay that ths prosperity I so much admired ou my arrival here has continued, and ' I feel assumed tha l ; the colony is one tf

the moat flourishing within the great British Empire. On the Khh August next my original term of office expires, but my advi-ers expiessad 'he d sire thit I should remiin for a 1 nger i period, and believing it to be consonant with the general wish, I con- ' sented and His M.«je? y has prolonged my te:m of offi:e. I hava everywhere met with the warmest and most enthu ias ic welcome iu mv travels throughout tba colony. Ere another I Session opans I shall be far away and shill hive severe! my connection wi h your col my. Ycu may, however, rest assured that every effort will be exerted by me to promote 'he welfare of a country to wbich I have become so deeply at'aohed, to driw at L eatim to New Ze'land's position and progress, and to explain to the best of my ability the causes which have led in s j marked

• a degree to i's prosperity and i happiness. Ne» Zetland wes fi-fcingly j represented a k . tbe Coronation eere- | monies aed Ojlonial Conference by the I R'ght Hon. R, J. Seddon. The n solutions parsed at the Conference and the recommendations mide will, in due ' course, be submitted to you. I It will ba known tha l ; the coastwise laws of other rations have proved i inimical to the romme-ce and shipping of this colo-iy and to the trade tf the United Kingdom. My advisers ere of opinion that tha time should no"; be far dis' aub when our laws shou'd be brought in*o line in this respect with those nations whose laws are pr judicial to New Z lalmd and the Mo her Country. Thi Eupire gird ing, B.itishowned, Pacific cable is completed, and the rapidity with which merges have been deppitchjd and received estab-. iishts i's effictcy. With proper energy in obtihing tusiniss the fstimaied revenua should be realised. The proposal of the Australian Ccramonwbal h Government to g>ant, by ogroormn', concessions favourable to tha Eastern Extansion Telegraph Company, my Ministers consider regrettable, and fear the result will prove inimical financial'y I to the Pacific cable. Reference was made to the aotion of the Paivy Council relative to the Porit ua case, and a hope expressed that meh an unmerited and uncalled for departure by that Council may never cccur again. An' amendment in the constitution of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Cjuncil was imperative, and that unless a sa'.is-j factory change was nr.de confidence in tbat tritun 1 would, wi hin the colonies be shaken. I am pleased that the greatest good f jeling exists with the Muori race. By cilling Mahuti to the L gislative Council and to the Executive Council, his influence will bj if valus in closing the l:ng standirg estrangement ot several Maori tribe?, and in the early settlement of tbe lands of thi Rohepo tae. The Maori lands and sanitary oouncils are working satisfactorily, and evidence is daily given that tin Maoris have a complete knowledge of what is necessary to educate, improve, and I preserve their race. Whilst being pie seed with the great and increased productiveness of the colony which close settlement has materially assisted, my advisers consider that settlement can be largely augmented, provided adrquate means ate available to road Crown lands. This class of road construction is to be paramount, seeing that the expenditure on such roads is out of borrowed money. I have to congratulate you upon the I very satisfactory development of the j agricultural and pastoral industries, and on the land settlement system generally. Small defects in the Land for j (Settlement Act require to be rectified. The hw providing for the arquiiing of I land for workmen's homes is prac ically a dead letter, and requires amendment. | The.large increase an.i the amount i tf capital invested, as well as Ihe in- . creased number of persons empbyed in manufacturing pursuits, warrant my saying that satisfactory progress Ins been mide, and tbe ouilook is very , cheeriDg, The largely increased output l of gold and coal alio prove i tbat the 1 mining industry is in a flourishing condition. | The excess of arrivals over departures showtd a latgi increase in population year. The bw birth ra e in some urban parts, however, is for grave concern. A largely increased population is needed, and my Ministers consider that if immigrants the farmiug class of the United Kingdom were to come here instead of swelling thi population of alieo countries it would be to their advm-t-ge, benefit the colony, and add to tin stability of our Empire.

Gentlemen of the House of Re°bei BENTATIVJ3S, — j The Estimites have been carefully considered, ani canaisteni; with an efficient service, strict economy has been observed. With increased pjpu latiOD, extension of departments, and development of resources there must necessarily be expanding cojfc. The! estimated increase of expendi ure is proportionate to the astiraated revenue. The owners of Jarge areas of land resident outside the colony are col taxed through the Custom l , and seeing tint the aggregation of large estates <xistc, my Ministers c include there «ould not be any serious objection to increasing the presant absentee t'ix, The gradu--ation of land tax as now aßn;6s:d, also j requires adjustment to make the samefair in its iucidence. You will be it; | vited to enter inio a new agreement under which the New Zealand and] Au9 l'alian (quadron is to be stren.,'fii j ened, and under which New Z.vJarJ j officers and mea are to be trained. j To enable reasonable preferenuo to

be givan in favour of certain goo Is produced in the Mother Country, impoitaut fiscal changes are necessary, How, and in what manner will be for you to determine. Piying dus regard to our own industii j s, the lin'« adapted by Canada would be t help Br.tish manufacturers without c us.n; uadue irritation :o o'hsr nations, Hon. Gentmjme ■/ of the Leoislat.ve Council and Gextlsmes op tue House of Kepsesentatives,— During recent elections fcveral de fee's were found in in our eleo'oral system. My advisers consider the existing am maly would be removed if ! single electorates alone obtiined, The wisdom of subsidii-iog steamers to place our produce in South Africa cleirly demonstrated by the stupendous giowthof trade with tint coun'ry. Stock from Argentine b ing prohibited owinj; to disease, a fur'.het development (f trade m*y be expecttd, aud for some years to co'ne South Africi will be a good market for oui products. A large are*, of land is now opan f< r selection. In respect to tuih lands proposals will be submitted allowing tenants to be rent free for a time, aud cthsr conditions which, owing to want of proper communication 0 , are n w re-tiictive will be ielaxed, and speciil efforts made to settle co-operative msn and returnei troopers on land. The defence forces are in a mu;h improved condition. The cadet movent nt is very popular, and the training of our youth in the public schools in ordinary cadet corps will materially assist the volunteer movement. The ordinary defence charges will be lea ih in last year, and our liabilities entailed by the South African war are now almost ascertainable. As the law exists officers and troopers whose health wes imp uted, or wt'o were permanenHy iij'irei otherwiie than in action can receive neither pensions cor gratuities. Proposals to*remedy tbis will bs submitted. My Ministers are of opinion that a 1 State Fire Insurance Department coull with advantage to tho colony be estab- ; lished, *nd that enabling those insuring to participite in the profits gool business would eniui. Legislaton assigtilng a proper positiou to Fire Brigades and injuring them a itvenue necessary for cirrying on their good work is deemed necessary. The existence of trusts and combines inimical to the producer will be dealt with by l»gishti)n insuring a fair competition. The guarantee given to the Bank oi New Zeahod expires next year, and it will be necessary for legislation on this qu f stion to be passed this session. Fioposa's ia respect to tbie, and the isem of bii.k no'es w,ll he submitted.

The hcspitjla f r mentil diseases are considered to be unfiled for chiliren, or the aged and ii.fi m, and the condition of things now existing is worthy of investigation. The complete cheeifica'ion of the children in the Government Industrial Schools is advisab'e, and to attain that end my advisers propose to obtiia additional land, and erect the neccessary buiHingo, and a well equ'pped training ship for boys. Measures providing for the direct reference to the p icpla of issues on large questions for dolling with shops and offictg, eompensa iin for accidents, arbitration and conciliation, and improving the present system of land valuation, for the extension of the rating on unimproved valua, for improving tke position of civil servants and school teachers, and for amending the law and system of weights and measures will, with c'hers, ba submitted in due course.

Next year tbere h to be a g-eit exposition at St. Louis, and New Zev hnd bas been cordiilly invited to exhibit its produots thfrea*. My Ministers consider that good would result therefrom, and that an exhibition, at no distant date, on an extensive scale in Naw Zealand would be to the advantage of agriculture, commerce, and the industries of the colony. I fervently tru9t you may strenuously pjiform your arduous duties so that, with the blessing of God Almighty, the result miy be to the advantage of New Zealand, and promote the happiness and well-bsing of i's people. AN IMPOSING DIBPLIY. There was a large gathering of the public in the vicinity of the Parliament Buildings this afternoon to watch the display in connection with the attendance of the Governor to deliver the usual speech. Shortly after 2.30 His Excellency the Governor entered, the legislative Council Chamber, attended by M jor Alexander, Captain Oampball, and Uommander Glossop of H.M.S. Lizard, The Heretaunga Mounted Rifles formed the mounted escort. The Post and Telegraph and College Rifl s furriishtd the guard of honour and the D Battery fired the silute. lady Ranfurly and a pirty from Government Hou;e were present at th a cert inony. E very available inch of space on the floor and in the galleries of the Chamber was fill?d. The reading of the speech by His Excellency occupied some twenty minutes. After His Excellency and party hid retired both Houses proceeded to business. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. In the Legi-l ttive Council efter the opening certmuny Sir A. J. Cabman was granted of absence for a fortnight and the Hon. Arkmight for the session.

The Attorney-General gave notice to move, than a call of the Council be made for the 9th July for the election of Speaker. The Attorney Ganeralroferredinterms of deep regret to the losses sustained by the Council by the deaths of General S ; r G. S, Wbitmore, Hod. Dr. Grace, Sons. Morris and Swanston, He eulogised the valuable services rendered by all, but especially tbosa of General Whi'moie and D,\ Grace who had rendered great services to the State. Tho Hons. VV. 0. Walker, Captain Biillii>, and K >l/, also spoke of the lots to the Clou util and country by those deaths. Tha Attorney-General moved, that the Hous) at its rising adjourn to Thursday to mark its respect of the dcccaeed members. The Hou. T, K, MacDjnalcPgSve 1 notice to move the Address-in-Reply at nex j fitting day, and the Council adjournfd to 8 o'c'tck, when tbe Imprest Supply Bill will be considered. On the Legislitivo Council resuming l his eveniug, the Impress Supp'y Bill ' was passed through all its stages, without discussion. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES N£\Y ISILLS.V The TTonie protwici tu foi-mal bun r.cfl;-: ijndwxliatflly ntlv-C; bearing thi 'iDVornoi.-'R utii-e.ii. uutl notice was ol tho iutroductlon of a large

■; l number of Biils aanng 1 rm b ing f Bible Lessons in Put>ließoli )U PlsWa J J site Bill (Arnold); Absolal i Majority |"1 Bill (McXab), Juv> nile fin king Sap- j pression Bill (Fielo), Rum A*. Abolfc f tion Bill (till), W i relets | elegrapdy ~m Bill (Ward), Worker* (J< ipersition F lor Acc dents Act - [ , trial OoDcilotioo and Ar Jp'ioD Aot jftj Amendment, aud Shops md o£-M fM Bilk (Seddou). ' jfl Mr Ru hetford gave no®# to movsO the Address-ia-Reply on iwct titling W IMPBEST SUPPLY H|li. Ii Thelasprest Supply ] was introduO'd by Goveciwb uveUiMplj Mr Duthio strongly diMsntod «gsmn6| ci'ling P.rliament together *mly atthe je last mcment when the House hurriedly driven to vote Wpply. XiMmfl question was whether ttii-iieiisJ ws'" J going to rule tin finances ot the try or give up all oontrol twthe Miois* ' try. He also cjmplainedcftibs tendency to detract from the bi|j| offi:e at j Gov which might hin the effcOt > of weakening the band wtween thicolony and the Old Uouapjr. P*rli*4 1 ment should have been oJmi togsthsßj ' in April, at the close of we financial year. " M Bir Joieph Ward said 'April wouljp' . not suit the farming sghon of thi' \ House. Ministers woullw very glsp J to c*U Parliament togttbsr soon aft# :g> the close of the fin&mialyear, but it was in response to the request of » . cou itry members that the siffiß{Mg(jh Parliament were fixed for Jum. flt denied that there had bssa any ■ ■ ing of the pmi "ion of the Gavernori or the tie between thsjjjjolony and tBVH" Old L\nd was in any way being weakened. The rral titnef or debating the question of fhadw was on ths Financial Debate and on the Eit'mites, j and not when the Hqhte was ' aske J ti vote money jfor carrying oa the p iblia s'rvioes, as was the ease now. If the House bad tat control of tbs finatces if the tbeHouse was to ' , blame, as the finanoiu proposal* of tb{ J Government were brought down b&J concrete form every session, and it wss open to thi H.uw to agree or dkajrs* with them as it thiught fi 6 . (sir William Rutsell complained tM the H mse hid allowed Ministerial, become its misters, and Minister* c uld now snap Jheir fingers in iace of the House. If could not be called together <wrlisrt|iH date of closing the financial year shoo^^J b} altered. • Mr Missey contended iha*s the r l dres; of grievances should go Supply. "" ' <■ Mr Smith said the protest from Opposition was a shim. They not prevont the Laopjfost Supply\9H pssjinf. Mr Jas, Allen said it was oW they could not s'ick op the Bill, cause it provided for the payment the civil servants silaru'B. o:her members htviag spoken. Sodloa paid that Le'thccla the of Oommons nor ia this House, of recent years was it the have any debate at all on Supply Bills. Lug Imprest Supply had only Ths accounts for were not passed by the Audit rri9nt till the 14th Hay. could the House bavj mstjia He went on to say provisions of the BUI under were in aocordaroe with the tions made last sifsion. He desire to keip back public Every ehilliog of the been shown in the Gazette), and the Opposition commended the Government on course they had taken.

The Bill then pasted through (fl | mittee. On tbe motion for the inp, Mr Berries Slid he notioed of £IOO,OOO was to b) the Oorejlidated Fund to Works Fund, and he wanted whether the money was going transferred no* or at financial ye\r as was done last He said he voiced the general faction that was felt country at the non-expendltui money voted for public works. Mr M'ssey said he feared it approaoh of a general | was responsible fur the voting [sums of money for public session, a large proportion of not been expended. M«BrS Buohanao and 'ested against ruabing the Bill Mr Seddon said the transfer •he Oonsoliditel Fund was transfer, and in this one it of one-third of last year's had not been allocated for any With regard t) publio works ture, he thought it would be tbe end of toe year that the ture had been upte the oolonv could n>t go on rowed money on pablio rate of two millions a year. » The Bill then passed its HIOBOLOOT. ~ Mr Ssddon moved that place on record its high distinguished services rendered tftfm colony by the late Hons. W, RoHaatofiL Sir G. 3. Whi'more, Dr. Grace, MoirJ and Swanson, and to tftflH respective families its sincere synjpiH in their bereavement. He tribute to the memories of thedemH as also did Mr Massey, who mH the motion, and Sir Messrs Bollard, Jennings, 14MH who also spoke. Mr S. ddon stated that ihe Address-in-Reply it 7.30 to morrow The House adjourned Itnti'l O QA fA.mrtPi«AV