THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81829, 23 August 1906, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Tnj'.KK was, as (he Premier had forecasted, liitlr- thai was new in the Speech with which the Governor redded I'ailiamont mi Tuesday. On llie whole, the colony will be well surl'eil - f ragged oiU'Clmenls and imperfectly working legal machinery ih.il badly wauls overhauling. In so far as .he policy of the new Government h"s been made known, it m-iv generally be said that the Social and economic legislation forecasted is of the correcting, improving and

consolidating type. The agricultu-l ral community will hail with satislucliou Uio indications though somewhat shadowy ones—that the I Government purposes putting into effect various schemes, the necessity for which has long beon recognised. The necessity for scientific agricultural research, and dairying schools, whereat practical experiments would be conducted, a|nd farmers taught how best to bring the land and stock to their highest productiveness, consistent with cheapness of production, has for long been recognised by Government as of paramount importance; but the "recognition" mostly lacked fruition, mainly because too much was ofttimes promised. In Sir Joseph Ward the colony believes it has a practical Premier, whose promises will be speedily redeemed, and in this belief—coupied with the infusion of new ideas into the ad' ' ministration of the Lands Department—the farming community confidently believes that scientific aids to their industry will shortly be forthcoming. On the Land question, it is evident the Government purposes continuing the Optional system. The nature of the intended amendments are unknown, but if, as the Speech implies, amendments in the directiop of giving absolute security of tenure such as will give to leaseholds a value equivalent to fixed tenures and freeholds, and enable tenants to secure better terms of borrowing ,etc, the land agitation will in a great measure be allayed. That the necessity for infusing more life into the dry-as-dust, taihoa methods of administering Native Affairs, lands' enactments particularly, one of the greatest obstacles to the velopmeht of this Island —has been recognised by the Government is a matter for satisfaction. Much may be intended by the announcement that roads and telephone extensions in the back blqcks are to be forthcoming, but on this matter we await the definite proposals before congratulating the unfortunates in isolation.. The same refers to the local government reform proposals, the necessity for which was never more apparent, in Taranaki at least, than it is at the present moment. The finding of new and the extending of the existing markets for our staple products is one of the most important matters with which the Government can (leal, and much is expected from the Premier in that direction. Freer commercial intercourse with other countries in natural products, under reciprocal arrangements, should be welcomed alike by the consumer and the producer in the colony. There is no doubt a good deal in the contention of the Government that it would be unwise to attempt any comprehensive revision of tlie Customs tariff until such time as prospective trade arrangements with Great Britain, the other colonics, and the United States are completed. The extension of the present inadequate allowances for development of the colony's mineral wealth needs no comment. Wonderfully endowed by Nature with every mineral necessary for the creation of an industrial country, the State's duty is manifest. Regarding the increasing of the facilities for tourist traffic, we need only say that so long as expenditure in that direction serves the dual purpose of also assisting the colony's settler, by providing roads and communication, let the tourist be encouraged to come. There is nothing new in the Railway policy, except that works are not tn be curtailed. Defence matters are promised revision, and time, too. The proposal of setting aside land endowments for Old Age Pensions, Education and Hospital and Charitable Aid will, it is to be hoped, materialise. We confess we are not quite clear regarding the Civil Service reform proposals, but if they are intended to secure for merit its just reward, then all will be well. There are several matters urgently requiring attention of which : no mention is made, but it must he acknowledged that to dist'ose of the more important measures frrshadoTcd, Parliament has a big task before it during the next two months. The Premier's sensible proposals regarding' Parliament's working hours gives reason to hope tha f morn solid work and less imperfect legislation will mark the first session of Sir Joseph's Premiership.