PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 162, 30 June 1908, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

oi'EMXi; ok tin: .session. IMltllilAXi Uii.lsl.AlloX Oil LIXKD. Hy Telegraph, l're - Assotwii.ui. Uiliiiigt.m. La.-,t Night. Parliament v[*-u. ,1 10-day. in dull weather. Owing to tiif restricted room in t!it* new chambers ill old Uovi rnnient House, the public were not admitted, lady Ward, .Miss Ward, Mkses Jlall•lones 121, and Mrs. Dr. Findlay were the only atkmlers other than Members and Councillors. The Heretaimga Hides formed a guard of honor to his Kxwllency. who was attended by Capuin Lyon, his aide-de-camp, and Mr. H. S. Waterfield, private secretary. The warship in the harbor tired tlie customary salute. Jlis Excellency and retinue | arrived at the Council Chambers at 2.35, anil the Speaker and Commoners arrive 1 at 2.37.

UOVKItXOR-S SI'KECH. The Governor, Lord I'hmkct, delivered hi* opening speech as follows: HOXOUAKLK (iKXTLKMKX OF TIIK LEUISLATI VE COLXCIL, AXI) GEXTLKMKX OF THE IiOCSE 0/ KEPKKSEXTATI VKN.— I have much pleasure in again meeting jou in Parliament assembled In accordance with the prnKiee of my predecessors, and for the purpose oi ..ia-ning my aciiuamiance witu the people ami lauds ot t.ie Dominion, i have, during the past twelve j months, visited various parts of the country, and everywhere on these jour- j neys 1 was profoundly impressed by the sturdy energy, loyalty, and material comfort of our people. Since I last met you, New Zealand has maintained her high standard of healthy prosperity, and although the prices of some ot our chiet commodities have recently suffered depression, there is a hopeiul prospect oi iheir early recovery. The general outlook for our producers and those engaged in trade and commerce is encouraging, and given due energy and prudence, there appears no reason to apprehend that the increase in our material wealth, and the widespread comfort of our people, are likely to decline. It is fitting that, 1 should mention tk« loss which Great Britain has "suffered in the death of its Prime Minister, the late flight Hon. Sir Henry t'aiupbell-Banneriuan, whose high character aud long public service endeared him to th« nation, and now secures for hiin * lanting place in the memory of the British peoplp. During the last twelve months, death his removed the Hon. W'm. Kelly, of the Legislative Council, and Mr. .fumes Jlennet, of the House of Kepre=eutstives, gentlemen who earned for themselves the esteem aud respect of Iwth branches of the Legislature. On the 20th of September last New Zealand passed ii"''J the status of a Colony to the plane of Dominion, and ! take tlii- 'ijr-i opportunity I have had you in Pa"rlianien£ji«f.|'ubkd upon the higli dignitvJjK Majesty lias thereby ■cunfemvl 'outhis progressive country, express the hope and belief that the change may not only -v.-ure for lift worthier place in the world s esteem, by suitably increasing our national selfrespect, lilt stimulate higher ideals of our own people. Consequent on the strong representations made by my Prime Minister when in Loudon, New Zealand has now been placed iu the same position as the Dominion of Canada with respect to the important constitutional questiou of the KESEUVATIoN OF Itll.l-S

for the Koyal assent. I hai«- liutl , tied that early in August warships of the tailed Static 01 Amer.ca will visit Kew Zealand. The event i- historical, for it will be the lirst visit oi a tleet ft that jjreat uation which ha- >pning irom our own hardy race. a nation speaking our tongue, -baring m»t only oUr liberties and our noblest traditb Us ; but al*o our aspirations and ideal?. Preparations b»i a suitable welcome are now well m luind. and it i- hojied that the viMt. in addition to it- national importance, \w*l be made a pleasant and memorable one to the | officer* and men of this detachment of THE AMERICAN NAVY.

Another event tonnwled with the ne them eoutinent oi Ameriea takes plai in Julv next. when Canada will eelebrat her Xercentenary at Quebec. Jly Prim Jliui-ter was invited l>v the Covcrnnien of Canada lo represent Xcw Zealand but o»in;r to Parliament Ving in ses sioii, lit' n ill In 1 unable to leave his pub lie duties. ami at the suggestion of uij .j'h :«>i > iny predwssor, the Right Hon, tin- Karl Ranfurly. was allied an<l bis l.ili'llv ailK'i'll <o .IU-n'l in his sU'.ul. H is felt thai New Zealand is tortunaU' in having such a representative, vrii combines with other ([uaiilicatimis a wid knowledge of aud a deep love for tlu ; countrv and its people. An exliibilioi. of more than industrial important* lia- ' been rwntly opened in London by his I'.oval Highness the l'riiue of Wales, and I am pleased to say that New Zealand producers are well represented. The i'raxcu i:i:ixisii nxiniiiriux

ha, for us an international significance, in that it affords a striking testimony of the relations of amity existing between Great Britain and France, as well as at the same time contributing to the world's peace. The term of office of the HIGH COMMISSIONER for New Zealand hating expired oil the 14th of June, the Hon. William Pcniber Reeves was reappointed for a further term. An unusual jieriod of dry weather during last mid-umnier caused serious loss to farmers and settlers throughout New Zealand by reason of bush and other fires, which destroyed large areas ..f crop and forest, and in some cases -tovk. homesteads and other building-. To relieve the los. which fell crushmgly upon these farmer* and »eulers. grass wa- furnished by mr advisers in pr,.|>er eases, and upon such terms as relieved the sufferers. Karly on the morning of the 11th of December last, New Zealand differed a national loss in the destruction by fire of the t'ARUAMKXT M IWISi.S. | Happily the library and its contents C«eaped injury, but many valuable records and other paprs were destroyed. A threefold loss falls upon US by the destruction of these buildings, for not only were they the Council Halls of our legislature, and one of our chief archh>-. inn tlie\ were dose!v connected with the history ami progress of this country, and with the lives and achievements of honoured «tate«men of the pa-t. Indeed, a- archive- ami a- a memorial. the 1"-- of Parliament liuildings i- irreparable. Temporary accommodation for yon i- provided in this House,' ami you will lie a»ked to consider at an early date proposals which my adviserwill bring Wore vou for suitable permanent lloii-e- of Parliament. It is recognised that our present

MAIL SKUVICE to and from threat Britain and Kurope i= un-ati-faeurv. and effort- have been con* imioii-h made by my Prime Mini—t«r t" -eeure the co-operation of t.irea*. liriuin ami other uivnm ]),.minimito the t-m! that a fa-t and entirely lirit-i-h line of -te.imei- -lemhl be provide.! for the-c postal -ervice, of (ii'-at l»ri tain, t'an.nlii. Australia, and New l.uid. Tlte-e effort- are -till beinji maintained. and my advi-er- are hopeful of their ultimate This year a ■»i'ea! work nilniinate- in tin* completion <»f the l.ilwiur- of the reprint of TIIK STATI TKS COMMISSION, ami (hi- -e—ion of Parli.nm-nt ("ii- ! d iti m in live volutin--, of t!i public Salute-. now <-MM: .IiM-- ■! in »nj<* lift\-live volumes, will In- introduced for ti"- 1 pnrpo-r «>f bt-iny pa--ed inio law. Thi- country i« eveedin^ly rich iu n.«t ; oinl endowment* of ; WATKi: I'ItWKK. and rl"» Jjas been imprt—' I on my advi-»T-of jn-rmit portii>n> .<t lb,' V.atcr power to be '•mpjoyed for pjivate enterpri-e under "trict ;n: I l>roj»er <iifetnianU iu llu» public interest. lVopo-al- to tlii- end will be shortly lai't U-fi.j" yoii in the fi»i in of enabling latioii. Mv at!vi'«'i- [.-e; that the time ha-arrived to brimj the couniry abrea-1 ..f uhi.h -e.-tuv a more periecl J MA.f'iliiTV ];Kl'iJl>!:\"!'.\ I'M i\. bv a -lein of -cmii 1 cl<e!i»»ji. ajiil a i'.iil will be iiUi-f«!m;'d providing for -ucli a -\-('-m. IXDtSTb'I.M, DiKFli t'l/Til-s.

sini-r f i.M ind >'«•!! [«•- Uvn »i» ih♦•il in imJii-vtri.il v.url.i ,i?m iirM-t (ln'iu m*,* .t((vi-<*r- will mi!, hit uiii.l: it i- iio|»c(l will ini;.|.Ar li;.- Mifl'ijljon "I «»ll: i»«■•«j>!»■. I'Tofii-'tv fridi'Slid - !•)<)■

botwvi'ii the employer ami thr cnndivv,! Vim will !po j.K'it-t-«l tn know that the

1-AMI I.KiiISLATKtX | of b>l Scv,t;i] lar-,. )uv<> ten ac<l miand in ili-.|>o*iii» of them for M'Uk'iiiciit tlie jmjiularity of tin- ivnena >l|. K'iim l system lia.s )><>.•» sliowii liv Ibe lad th.it t|,e fur section's lui- ljirjii-ly i'M-i'c.,|c.l tlio supply. It ' s jJiaU.'viii;; tn lnul t],;,t t),e -Mixixi; l\di;,sti:v. H-hicli IS second ill importance to on- ; [arming and pastoral i„ <hl<tl . i( , s j tmiviii;; ami with steady' stiidcs. legislation fiicilitatini' UiV operation of some minor provisions of tlio Mining Acts will lie introduced, ami a clearer impression will be given („ t |„. intention of Parliament with regard to what h known as the ''luiuk to hank" clause of the Coal .Mines Act. XATIVE LAND CO.UMISSIOX. llis Honor the Chief .Instiue and Mr. A. 1. Xgata, J1.1'., have been carrying on I lie works of the Commission with unfailing Tlicy have held sittings in all the different localities in wliieh areas of land calling for their investigation are situated, and liavewiiii iiioat patience friven tli« native owners the fullest opportunity of being heard, and of expressing their objections or consent to those methods of dealing With their lands wliieh hav c been discussed or suggested by the Commission. The happy result Ims'hoeu seemed that a very large area of land lias been recommended by the Commission for i-.uropean settlement, while retaining for j the native owners such areas as are desirable for their use and occupation. All this work has been done with the : harmonious co-operation of the native [ owners themselves. Tile necessary work of surveys and other preliminaries in the o|>ening of such land for settlement [ is 1 icing pushed on vigorously, and it is : hoped that the Commission will be able ■ to complete its biliours very early next year. The present law with respect to X ATI YE TOWNSHIPS,

swh as Taiimarunui, Te Kuiti, and other centres has been found to be unsatisfactory to Europeans, and the disabilities arising from this law will be removed. The departure of tiic stcainsliii) Ximrod for the purpose of the scientific exploration of the Antarctic regions lias created much interest throughout New Zealand, and the result of these explorations is awaited with hnpcfulnc#- and' interest, ft is gratifying to have tljtassurance of my advisers that lae giv-at work of the construction of tile North Island - MAIN TRUNK liAli.^AV

will be completed months, and that thereby the tiro principal cities of Wellington and Auckland will be directly connei-teu by rail. Mr. Spiaker. and Gentlemen of the lioiw Oi Representative*.—Aly advisers {eei—f-nnt. this country has now reached a stage at which it should institute a scheme of NATIONAL ANNUITIES.

available for all classes of the community. The complexity of liie question !;as caused my adviser* mm-h earnest consideration. and a scheme hii- been devised which it i> hoped uil! be laid before you in the form of an Annuities Uil!. Proposals will aNo In- subiuitteA providing for SUPER AXXT A TlO X for employees of local bodies, tramways, gas. and electric companies. difficulties and objections iii connection with our present method of PUJH Ail ALU IT ha\e ii.dnced my advisers to determine upon a change in the sy-tein. and I amendments of the law will therefore 1 be proposed bringing Hie public audit of this eountry into eloper harmony with the sy-n-iu which prevails in (ircat J»i"itain, and most of the over-sea dominions. During last session. two Acts were passed providing for elassilication an>l superannuation of the o/iieers ot the PUBLIC SERVICE. The necessary preliminary work of bringing these Acts into operation has ! been pushed on diligently, and they promise eminently satisfactory results. Some minor machinery delects will he . I met by an amendment whi«di will be . { laid before you. .l Tin-; estimates ' of the revenue and expenditure f«»r tie 1 L vear have been eomjdled with due ear:-. ' having regurd to both economy and cliV ciemy. and will shortly be placed before you for your consideration. 'J he account* di~-ch.se, a> in recent years, the ■ gratifying result ol a substantial *urp!u* on l!i ■ yc.'»'*«. tt'ansaelion-. anil I ara [ i<> -.i>' lW:u s.j inv ibi- iv-

reipt- sue in "'very ;i\ -atisiaelory. My advi-ers have liccn increasingly impressed liy heinjr asked to make n -special and liberal provision for Die eouslrurtion <jf roads, telephones, ami sm'.i other conveniences as wili assist them in tlirir work (if settling and improving our outpost lands. ;iinl relieve ;t« far m possible the hardships incidental to their lives. X!ie success of CI.ONKK SETTLK.MKXT

justilies the vigorous promotion of that [lolicv, iiiul among the cardinal objects of 11) V advisers will lie Ihe further extension of closer settlement, ami the early completion of the main lines of railways now in lihaml. After mature consideration, my advisers have decided to

INTUKASK THE XAVAL paid by this Dominion to the Liritisii Navy, as they are confident that Hie I rue interests of the people of Xew Zealand will lie best served by having a powerful navy under the independent control of those responsible for directing it in time of peace or war, Wi will lie asked to make provision accordingly.

i Hon. Ceiitlement of the legislative Council and l.'eiitlemen of the House ol Representatives.—.My advisers have asked the Uritish Covernmem for a i lu:<.;j;h tkaixixi; ship than the "Ainokura " so as to train up to a thousand young men at a time. A proportion of the men tlui s trained would tlu'ii be available fur maiming his .Majesty's ships in New Zealand waters. It is also contemplated that the training of young men for the mercantile marine should be undertaken 011 a New Zealand training ship. The advantage of the proposal is that in lime of need tho-o who are engaged in ;his occupation will h.' sullicienliy trained to man his Majesty'., ships a » required. Steady progiv-s has taken place during the vear in the

AClilCCl/LTIIAL DKVKUM'MKNT |of the country. My adviser- have constantly kept in view the uccessitv for up-to-date methods in farming operations :iml the application of science to agricultural pursuits. Tin- various experimental stations are enlisting the sympathies of the farmers throughout the Xurth Island, and the extension of the system to the South Wand is in contemplation. Satisfactory has been made in the direction of establishing tin- daily school at I'ahner-tou North and vetcriuary school at Duncdin. My advi-ei's an- of opinion that, with the near approach <if the completion of the Xorth Island Main Trunk railway, the time has arrived ior the Stall' to ac.pnre the

-MAXAW'ATU lUII.WAV LIXK ? and the prnper prcjimin.irv iiave already beon taken to (hat end. The legal di'llieultic- which may pus.sibly eiuer«, r e from further to be taken, will Ik* met by Jejrislatiuu if I hey threaten arty serioti- (i<-|«iy in the a-ipii-ilion of the railway line by the - )<»r time been rellial ellirleiiey in I Ini:i>l <'.\T|nX SVSTKM Witllid he otif;iiliei[ iI (lie >l/e ->f ela->e, under in 'Cruel ion. I'rnpn-ai> uili iice<irdin;rl\" he placed before Vou for a Mlb-fjlitial increase (if (he s(a()' <if 1 the public -eliooi-. and ;t I the same time. , in order lo secure a fid) >up|>ly of wei! fpLiiiljcd leafhc'Jr. it is to mak.» provi-ion, ('specially in the ejMc of .-inall alsu for an IXCKKASK i\ Till-: SALAHIKS of leachei-. The ipK'siion of annual inci'ei.icni-. to -al.irie-, generally, and for i:*: vinninmi« r for the promotion and transfer ol ttsacliei'a, will also In l submitted for your consideration.

sim.makv or i'i;i)!M>si;i) lkcisLATIoX.

win 1N- inl )11'i)ii!i with Xiilioiiiil Jiiiuilit*<; Oii-i-r Sdti< .nrjil l'"\ I .* Scciiiiii Sliij nil/ ;}Jni Sr;i)iH-n'> Ad: Civil Sr-rvie l ■(•nin«dur»' ;iii'.l Workdri' Lidi>

Workers' CompeusaiVn; Friendly bo-1 eieties; -Nuv.ti Subst Acifiti 1 . tal; itackbluck l'ublic Jlolida vs; Locu Ttu iuWiiy, lr«s, aud JCicetric Kujplovoea'. l'abiic Service AuiowUMWiit; X-il s \\ Water jwer Leasing; Policies AmeniiMicnt; .Statute Uiw; Destitute l'vsou^^piief; Govc'Dment Afatbiin'ry; -Mod'*'' l'y-luws; Native Townships Act • Mining Act; Teachers' i Sr r ;i! I'limuuu'ron; Police Superannuation; ] S.-ho-.l 'l : sie)n'iV Salaries and SuiKTanmiHtiwiiv Laud and lucouie Assessment; Jajcul ioverjuuent; .Mental Hospitals; and Charitable Aid; the L;i\v o£ LfV Count ies; lulaiit Life Protection; mpoumlinj:; (.'orporalioii Contracts; \he Juiliciarv; llic Slipreitie Court Cole; Secret Coinmijiaiou; and otiier inil'itant matters. The wiaU; opening ceremony anclyiovernoi";i Sjicui-ii, ove LSSXLATIVE council The Conn® sisscnibled tor a lew minutes after tlMopening ceremony. i> j ave of absence »s granted to the liuu. l«t!or^ r e Johnliniih for the. session. Charles apptiiiitiueut as Councillor having Jxpired by ell'luxion of time, lie was rt-appointed. Oji the motim of tlie Attorney-Cen-eal, the CuuucH pastel a vote oJ sympathy upon tit' death of the late Air. Jas. Jiennett.

Hon. Louissjn gave notice to move the Address-in lieply next sitting-day. The Council-adjourned at J.-JU. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The llousc net at 2.30.

Dr. Cliaprle, member for Tuapcka, was sworn in and took his seat. He gave uoticr to move the Address-in-Ue-ply to-morfow. The Pre nier introduced the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill, which was read a iirst ti^ic. The Premier intimated that the Royal J&sent had been given to the Chinese-Restriction Bill, also that the Imprest" Supply Bill would be introduced if the debate on this Bill anyhe Address-in-Reply were not protracted, he would bring down the Financial Statement next week, probably on' Tuesday. On Wednesday, he would nfake a statement re the new Parliamentary Buildings. The Premier then moved, and Air. Afassey seconded, a vote of condolence and sympathy «>n the death of~the late Mr. das. Bennett, ?wml>er for Tuapcka. Several members spoke in support, and the House adjourned at 3.30 till to-mor-row, as a mark of respect to his memory.