PARLIAMENTARY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81828, 22 August 1906, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

OPENING OF SESSION. Ml MESS ASSOCIATION". Wellington, August 21, The Council met at 3 p.m. The sossion was opened by the Governor with the customary formalities. The day was very line, and there was a large attendance •of the public. His Excellency read the speech as follows, winch took a quarter of an hour: GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— ft affords me much pleusure to again meet you in Parliament assembled, and to feel that you must rejoice with me at the prosperity which continues to bless this colony. As a whole the outlook was never brighter or more encouraging'. Production has increased, prices are profitable, and the condition of our trade, industries and finance reflects the prevailing spirit of enterprise and confidence. These are happy circumstances, notwithstanding that sorrow is still deeply felt at the- occurrence that led to the various political changes which have taken place in the recent short recess. The Hon. Sir Joseph George Ward was asked, and at my request mdertook, to form a Ministry, and is now in office. It is gratifying to note that our population has grown with our prosperity, and that Hie last census has shown a marked increase, both 'in the white and Maori'races of these

islands. The late Right Hon. R. J. Seddon visited the Australian Commonwealth in May last, and everywhere received a welcome that was -at once worthy of his achievements, and gratifying to this colony. He crowned his career of splendid service to New 7/euhvnd by arranging a provisional reciprocal treaty between this country and Australia. This treaty will bo laid before you for consideration, and if ratified may form the first step to a closer commercial union'with our nearest neighbouring kinsmen. It is unnecessary to emphasise the advantages accruing to both lands from a closer commercial relationship and a freer exchange of products. Mr Seddon also established New Zealand agencies in Sydney and Melbourne. Following last year's session a Postal Conference was hold at Rome. The Hon. Sir J. G. Ward represented the colony, and ono of the important

results secured by him was the granting to New Zealand of a separate vote. He used 'his best endeavours to obtain universal penny postage, but was outvoted. He visited the Marconi works, and the knowledge he gained will, I am' satisfied, be of benefit to tho colony when considering the question of wireless telegraphy. The news of the attempt on the life of their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain was received by the inhabitants of this colony with horror, and a message was sent expressing detestation at the dastardly outrage.

The terrible calamity which befell tho city of San Francisco by earthquake and fire, appalling in its suddenness and awful in its magnitude, cast a gloom over the wholo colony. Mes-

sages of sympathy and offers ol assistance were sent to America, and tho thanks of the Bresident, the

Government, and people of the Unitei States have been received.

Tho Japanese famine and tho distress caused by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius '.also evoked the sympathy of our people, and practical assistance has been rendered in both cases.

Owing to effluxion of time, the present commandant. (General Babington) will retire at tho end of this year, and it is with much regret that the

Government will then lose tlie services of this valuable officer, as he is unable to see his way to accept engagement for a further terra. When considering the, appointment of his

successor tho whole question of colonial defence will bo revised and

weighed by my advisers. I am pleased to inform you that the new llagsliip, H.'M.S. Powerful with the' Australian squadron, re-

cently visited New Zealand. The Admiral and his were) accorded a very hearty! welcome, and I feel sure carried away with them Kindly remembrances of, their viait. Honourable members will be plea*orl to hear that a training ship for boys has been established. The work is at present in its preliminary stages, and my advisers hope to submit a report to Parliament. I am pleased to inform you that preparations for (he opening of the International Exhibition on •the Ist November next are progressing satisfactorily. My advisers aro satisfied that it will bo a success, and result in great benefit to the colony. The Imperial Government and the Commonwealth Government have signified their intention of being represented, and have lent sctme valuable pictures. Other exhibits have been received from all parts of the world, i feel confident that when the oxtail of the buildings, tho ninnber, variety, and importance of the exhibits, and the beauty and interest of the sur-

roundings are disclosed, it will be admitted that dim !Now Zealand International Exhibition is worthy to talw hoiiuina'ble place, among similar undertakings of the old world. In accordance with the arrangement expressed in the A'nglo-Knenoh agroennnt of 1!)0<I, a conference was held in London between representatives 'of the British and French Governments for the purpose of drawing, up a scheme for the control of the New Hebrides, which, without altering the international status qluo, would provide for the personal security of European residents, and for Hie settlement of disputes. A copy of the draft convention adopted at that Conference lias boen forwarded to Ministers, who have had the advantage of consulting the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth with respect to its terms. A eo'mmunica'tion expressing their views concerning the protection of the Natives and the preservation of Australasian interests in the group has been forwarded to the Colonial Office for consideration.

; My advisers, recognising that among the main industries of New Zealand are the pastoral n nd ngrieultural, deem it advisaWo to 1 encourage the application of scientific methods to productive processes, in order that our farmers may successfully meet the increasing competition of other countries. Though much has been accomplished in this 'direction, in.cli yet remains to bo done.

The mining industry has received the careful attention of my atlvisers, and honourable members will bo gratified to know that the output of gold and coal for last year has exceeded anything for the past thirty years. You will he asked for authority' to enable additional assistance to lie ifiven for (he developmint of this important industry.

The. land question arises periodically for -discussion, and is still, a s in nil free countries, one of the greatest of unsettled problems. On the whole our complex system of frerhnld and leasehold tenures, which have been slowly built up dnr'nr mn'ny years by successive (mvernments, has worked well, and steadily furthered settlement. It Would be imprudent to suddenly attempt any radical i-hmie-o in the land burs nhi-.li have been e„,-,.fullv devised ( 0 meet ('e n-eds oi desirable settlers. whether in go. 'd ,„■ bad limes. Important nimndmcils are accessary, and my atlvisera hope to,

submit proposals which will bring «ur system nouw to the ideal of granting the luiiest measure of security, and give a stimulus -to the farmer consistent with the paramount duties and interests of tho Stato. My advisers believe that it will be to tho interests of the Maori, as well as to the great advantage of the whole colony, to provide' that all native lands should be 'bumjljcmlly occupied, either by the Maoris th'omsel-

ves or by Europeans. To accomplish! this it is recognised tlhat nativo land titles must lie more .cxpoditiously dealt with and determinud, the noeds of the owners ascertained, and where they have surplus and unoccupied lands, these must 'be acquired by the State for scttleim-nt. The creation of an ollicicut and distinct department for Native affairs will, it is believed, expedite the carrying out of such a policy, and this has already ton undertaken.

Proposals will bo submitted to you for the improvement of the system of audit in tho accounts of Government Departments and public bodies.

Tho colony is happily attracting an

increased number of visitors, many of whom may be regarded as tourists. Tho value to our people from this source is very considerable, and reasonable efforts will be made to further increase the usefulness of the Tourist Department.

The Commission which was appointed to inquire into the To Auto Native Trusts lias reportod to me, and tho report will (be kid 'before you.

Another Commission has- been' set up to investigate the cause of fires on board ships laden with our products voyaging from this colony to England. The frequency of these fires, their danger to life and property, a nd the importance to producers of minimising all risks by sea carriage, mako it imperative to ascertain the source of 1 these accidents so as to guard against their recurrence. This report will bo presented to you in due course.

Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of tho House of Representatives,— The Estimates of expenditure for the current year have been prepared with economy, having due regard to the magnitude of tho area and interest under control.

'The policy of active progress in connection with railways and the completion of lines under construction will bo vigorously prosecuted. You will be asked to make special provision to provide for the oxtcnsion of roads and telephones to outpost settlements, to facilitate both business ar# medical aid communica-

tion. The question of maKng provision for old age pensions, as, well as that of a separate endowment fund for edu-

cational purposes and hospitals and charitable, aid, is a subject of national importance, and proposals for setting aside suitable endowments for these purposes will bo submitted to you.

Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council ,and Gentlemen of tfl ° House of Representatives/The labour laws have been administered on the whole with satisfaction both t 0 employers and employees. As, however, our industries have developed and multiplied/, the number, of industrial differences, of awards, and workers' compensation claims have necessarily increased, and delays have unavoidably arisen. The arbitration and conciliation system cannot operate satisfactorily unless disputes and claims arc promptly and expeditiously decided, and to ensure this my advisers are of opinion that tho trrno has arrived for tho appointment of a Judge of the Arbitration Court who should devote tho whole of his time to this special work. Proposals will be laid before you to ijivo effect to this object. Experience has also disolosed some defects and anomalies in oui] labour laws, and steps will bo taken to havo these remedied.

The buildings in course of erection

at Petono and Auckland for workers dwellings are being rapidly pushed forward, and others will follow in different parts of the colony as circumstances require.

Maternity homes have already been opened in Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin, and one will shortly bo~opencd in Ohristchurch. The scheme is working satisfactorily. Effective economical administration of the Government cannot be secured unless the ablest and best qualified men are drawn from the ranks of the Civil Service. The attainment of this will be materially assisted by a classification of the service, and by provision being made for the old age of those who have, as public officers, served the colony faithfully and well. The encouragement of thrift should be one of our cardinal aims. The

opcrations of the Post Oflioo Savings Bank and. the Government Life In-

■mrnnco Department have done much m this direction, but a more immediate stimulus to thrift is still de-

sirable. My advisers consider thattho "I'cation of an annuity system, accepting contributions (from all classes Hid offering in return the largest an-

iiiities the State can afford to pay, deserves careful attention, and m\

Ministers hope to submit a complete scheme for carrying out this object. The development of trade, by opening up fresh markets for produce, will lie actively prosecuted, and the iniportnncc to producers of having cheap ra-tes of freight, and freedom to avail themselves of them, will not be lost sight of. My advisers are of opinion that the San Francisco' mail service and the offer for the Vancouver mail service should be renewed. Efforts will be made to enable New Zealand to en-

ioy, along with Australia, the Com-

nonwealfh Royal Mail Service-. The question of extension of con

Merc/i to the East is occupying the attention of my advisers, and propos uls relating thereto will bo subtoitted. The promotion of trade with the Do-

million of Canada l mid with the United States nro receiving every consideration tit the hands of the Government.

Another direction in which' the efficiency of administration of public affairs can Ire improved is by simplifying our system of local government,, ivml a measure dealing with this ami kindred m-altcrs will bo submitted to you in due course.

There are ninny anomalies in the 'iistoms Tariff which should bo rowed. It is expedient, howovcr.to ave a revision of the whole question f Customs duties, rather Man con-

ne attentioa .to small defects „r parieular items. The formation of treales with -other colonies, mid the sugested arrangements with the Mother

Country require tube first considered before any such general revision is

made. It is therefore felt better to postpone the reveiew of our Customs duties until n-fter the projected Conference- of Prime Ministers to ho held in London next year. Moreover, this will enable the Minister in charge of Customs to personally investigate the requirements

of both producers and consumers in iNew Zealand. Mennwhile, Ministers propose to ask Parliament to renew "The Agricultural Implement Manufacture, Tmportation and Sale lAct, 1905," which lias expired.

Important matters nlTeetrog t-ho 'Tlnipiro \v?l] Iro donlt with at n Conformed n; TVi'tro Alinistprs to b» bold in London, on tlio lot is -April next, nt which it is intended tho colony slmll he represented.

A conference donliiifv with sliippiner laws will fjso Ire hold in London next

venr, and my advisers have arranged for tlie colonv to be represented. T feel confident you will givo the position 0 f tlie. colony,' and the ninttevs T luvve bromr-li-l w»d r vour notice, together with the measures that Ri'Q 'to be submitted, your earnest and

oareful consideration, and I trust Wat your labours and decisions may, with' God s blessing, result i n mateiriu ] lv promoting the prosperity, happiness, well being and lasting benefit of the people of Notv Zealand."

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. When the Vice-Regal party had retired, the Attorney-General formally notified the change of Ministry durthe recent recess. ,'« A , Mc , ssa fi' u from the Governor notified the resignation of the Hon. Council ' 35 1 membcr of that The Hon. Mr Louisson gave notice next I he Council adjourned at 4.8 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Hie House met at 2.30, and adjourned to tne Legislate Council, and was present .when the Governor read the bpeech.

Sir J. Ward and Messrs Fowlds, Anken, McNab, Bollard, and T. Y Seddon were sworn in.

The Speaker read the following communication from the Speaker of the house of Representatives, Natal, June 14, 1906:

~ lr '~] have "in command from the Legislative Assembly to transmit ' to you the following resolution winch was adopted on the motion of the Prime Minister and seconded by' the Hon. Mr Moore at the first sitting after the announcement of the death of the Right Hon. Mr Seddon namely, 'That this House expresses' its sympathy with the Colony o£ , New Zealand in the great loss that l n- ? s - s " staincd by the death of the Right Hon, Richard Seddon, and requests Mr Speaker to forward this resolution to the Speaker of the'" House of Representatives of that colony.' May Ibe permitted to add the expression of my own sympathy and of a deepfelt regret that the death of the Right Hon. gentleman removes a landmark from the field, not only of New Zealand, but also of Imperial political life.—l have the honour to be, Sir ,your abedient servant R M. ARCHIBALD, Speaker ot the Legislative Assembly." On the motion of Sir J. G. Ward > the House resolved to add the message to the Records of the House. The Speaker then read the following letters:—"Wellington, August 20, igo6.—Sir —I have the honour to acknowledge for myself and my family the copies of the resolution,' passed unanimously by the House of Representatives, its high sense of the devoted and distinguished services rendered to New Zealand and the Empire by my husband, the late Prime Minister, and acknowledging the Colony has sustained by. his death. We value .very highly indeed the resolution passed, and shall be pleased if you will convey to themembers of the House of Represent; tatives the sfneere and Jieartfelt'

thanks of myself and family for the assurance of sympathy with us in our bereavement and irreparable, loss.—l remain, yours sincerely, Louise J. Seddon." The Speaker also read the following:—"The Rocks, Picton, August

5, 1906.—Sir,—I have received the extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives containing a resolution passed by the House recording its appreciation of my late father's services to the Colony, and of sympathy with his family in their bereavement. I value it exceedingly as a memento of him, and also as evidence of the kindly remembrance in which he is held by the members of the House of Representatives. Please to convey my grateful appreciation to them.—l have the honour to be, Sir, y6ur obedi-

ent servant, Norah Kenny." Sir J. G. Ward announced the new

Ministry to the House. He gave the details of what happened sincehis return to the colony, namely, the resignation of Mr Hall-Jones, the summons of His Excellency the Governor to himself, the consequent formation of the new Ministry, and the personnel of the same.

Mr Massey took-this opportunity >c of congratulatnig the new Ministryen its accession to office, and «x» pressed the hope that the measures of its devising might be for the benefit of the country, and such as would, obtain the support of his party and himself.-

The Premier thanked Mr Massey, for his courtesy, and could only as-

sure him it would be the endeavour, of his colleagues and himself to. ,- place before the House such mea-. sures as would benefit the country, and meet with general approval. He proceeded to refer to the feeling of pain with which" he had approached the task of reconstructing the Ministry. He referred to the long and honourable career of Messrs Mills '* and Duncan, his late and testified to his respect (or them., He expressed his appreciation of the pleasant time they had together un-

der thch- late chief, and expressed regret that 'circumstances! beypnd their control, and his entirely, had prevented their inclusion in the new Cabinet. For that conclusion the responsibility was his, of course, and he accepted it in its entirety.Coming, to the business of the House, he urged reasonable despatch, and.made the suggestion to facilitate business. He promised to bring down the Financial Statement next Tuesday evening. It was ready, and could be delivered at any, moment. He would also place the Intercolonial Trado , Reciprocity, Treaty with the Commonwealth on the table next Tuesday afternoon.' To further facilitate the despatch' of business, he suggested the bility of altering slightly the order, of business, recommending the abolition of the 9.30 (supper) adjournment, and sitting till u and adjourning at that hour. So long; as their business was conducted le-

g'itimately and without blocking*—a thing prevalent enough in some . places, and not altogether unknown in New Zealand—he could see no reason why they should not rise at

n o'clock, doing each day a good day's work, and preserving their health to boot. (Applause.) The Hon. C. H. Mills rose to thank the Premier for his sympathetic reference to his friend and late colleague, Mr Duncan, and himself. He had been long associated with the Liberal Party. He had felti deeply the honour conferred on him by his elevation to the Ministry as a member of that Party. He had done his utmost in that capacity, and he appreciated the happy relations that had existed so long between his colleague and himself. At the same time, he recognised that certain complications had arisem against the continuation of the Ministry as it was constituted en the old basis. Sir Joseph Ward had clearly and satisfactorily explained certain points in that connection to' him, and he had at once seen fit to withdraw into private life once more. (Applause.) Mr •T. Y. Seddon gave notice to move the Address-in-Rcply on Wednesday evening (to-morrow). The House adjourned at 3.50 p.m.