OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 209, 8 October 1909, Page 4

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH LEGISLATION FORESHADOWED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The second session of the seventeenth Parliament of New Zealand was opened this afternoon in brilliant weather by his Excellency the Governor. Owing to the limited accommodation in the Legislative Council Chamber, there was not room for many of the public, but there was a large gathering outside, the weather being very fine. The Governor was escorted by the Hcretannga Mounted Hides and received by a guard-of-honor composed of members of the Permanent Artillery and a detachment from H.M.S. Prometlms. There was a good attendance of members, and a few ladies were present, including Lady Ward, but Ladv Plunket was not present. The Sergeant-at-Arms bore the new mace ordered by .Sir J. ft. Ward while he was in London. It is plated with gold, some five feet in length and was the object of much at tention. ft is a replica of that used in the House of Commons, except that Ihere is an extra panel disnlavinj the Southern Cross, and the initials '' , N.Z.'' The Governor's Speech was as follows:

Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislati/e Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— 1 have much pleasure in again meeting yon in Parliament assembled. Sinr-:' hist session. I have availed mvself of opportunity of visiting the Cool; jn.l sonic of tdie other islands of the Pacific which were annexed to New Zealand in 1901. I was much impressed with the people, and the fertility and pitcuresqucncss of the Islands II was able to visit. The Tslanders are vigorous and willingly industrious,—qualities which "if systematically applied to the natur.-J resources there awaiting cultivation will insure the rapid progress and permanent prosperity of tiie group. I have also since I last met you here extended my acquaintance with the remoter parts and population of this Dominion. Death has recently remove 1 from his place in the House o'f Representatives Mr. Arthur Remington, the member for Raugitikci, whose industrious devotion to his public duti-s emphasizes the widespread regret for a life shortened .of the m-Jual span.

COLONIAL OFFICE VISITORS. During the recess two representatives of the C> lunial Office, Sir Charles Lucas, K.C..U.G., and Mr. A. C. Pearson.lC.M.G., visited New Zealand and spent sonic time in this country, studying its special laws, institutions, anil social conditions. They saw some of its.most impressive scenery and by sympathetic contact with my advisers and other public anen learnt much of the settbincut, aspirations and imperialistic ideals of its people. Their vis'it, which was due to the. wishes by oversea delegates' at the last Premiers' Conference will, it is believed, be conducive to still greater harmony between this and the Imperial Gover 1Jucnt.

LORD KITCHENER'S VISIT. You will be gratified to know that Lo d Kitchener, late Commander-in-Chief h India, who within the next few months will arrive in Australia, lias accepleJ an invitation .sent by me on behalf of the people of New Zealand to visit tlrs Dominion, and I have no doubt that this great soldier's career of signal service to the Empire will insure him a worthy welcome.

PRODUCTION-. TJie seasons and 'harvests of tliis country have continued bountiful and the productiveness of its various ndustries lias maintained more tnan its average forward stride. Measured quanlitivt-ly, tlie total production, lis greater than ever. Unfortunately HuniK'inl disturbances in the Old World and low prices for .some of the chief products of this Dominion resulted in stringency in the money market, and a reduction in the national income ol New Zealand. The depression consequent upon these causes is rapidly <'sappearing as prices are recovering and linancial stringency relaxing. The pr ■■■ sent outlook, all things temperately considered, is most encouraging, and is :'.u'ai:i heartening that spirit of vigorous . n;erprise which makes the people ol '-.l'.rt- Zealand so progressive.

lIMI'EIMAI. COMMERCE DELEGATES. A conference of delegates from tli-i Chambers of Commerce of the whole Jvinpirc has recently been in session in Sydney considering problems and' questions which affect the commercial prosperity of all His Majesty's dominion*. The members' of this conference have accepted the invitation of my Clovemnient to visit New Zealand. They will, I am sure, be cordially received.

THE TIMBER COMMISSION. One of the most important, of our industries, measured by the value o' its product and the number' of i's workmen, is the timber industry. Depression anil disorganisation having arisen in it (alleged to be chielly due to the importation ;,i foreign timber) my advisers deemed it advisable tJ have a Royal Commission appointed to investigate and report upon the cans s and upon afiy suggested remedies. Tie coimni-ssion has concluded a wry thorough inquiry, and its valuable report and recommendations will in due course be placed before you.

POLICE COMMISSION. Towards the close of last session a series l of charges were made in Parliament against the police department, and my advisers feeling, that a department so closely allied to the administrate l of Justice as this is, .should be clear id beyond the suspicion of such or similar charges, asked me to appoint a commission to investigate and report m the charges in question, and upon any others brought before it. The rcpo-'t and recommendations of the commission will be laid before you for consideration.

Mr. Speaker and gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— CUSTOMS RKVKNUK. As compared with the previous year's returns there Was, an increase last year in revenue from post and telegraphs, railways, land and income tax, excise, stamps, marine and miscellaneous services. Owing, however, chielly to the remission ia customs duties on the various imported necessities of life, and partly to the falling off in imports naturally consequent upon the diminished return for exports, the total amount of customs revenue has decreased. So far as this is due to the remissions mentioned not one (remembering that what the revenue has so lost the people have gained) has any occasion for regret.

CIVIL SEIIYK'E ItETITFATIIMEXT. An earnest and vigorous effort lias been made to reduce the cost of tin public service by amalgamating department* and pruning and dispensing wilh any branches which have fullilh'l or nearly fulfilled tlio purpose of public utility for which I hey were originated. It is believed that when the necessary retirements, changes and amalgamations fire completed, the public service as far as practicable will combine the desiderata of a high standard of eco-i----omy and efficiency.

THE ESTIMATES. . 'The estimates for the vear have been prepared and will lie submitted to you. You will in due cour-v be asked to pass the supplies necessary fur the purposes of Government. Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— TIIE DEFENCE CONTEfiENOE. As yon are aware, the Right Hon. Sir. Joseph Ward. Prime Minister and

Minister of Defence, left New Zealand on 18th June last to attend the Defence Conference in London. That conference marks an epoch in the history of the Empire, in that then for the first time the great oversea dependencies were taken into counsel by the Home Government on the vital subject -of Imperial defence, it must be eminently gratifying to New Zealand to know that her action in voluntarily offering ho take on her siiotiiuei» ounie share in the great work of maintaining the security of the Empire lias not onlv been appreciated by all parties anil classes in Great Britain, hut has been followed, though on varying lines, by the other dependencies. Tiie result (if the deliberations of the conference, • given effect to by the Parliaments concerned, will have a wide-reaching effect in strengthening the Empire in all its' component parts. Canada aim Australia favor local navies as being more consonant to local national needs, aspirations and sentiment. In the case of New Zealand Sir Joseph Ward, with the sentiments of her people and Parliament, preferred the policy of strengthening the Umpcrial navy, with provision for a section of one of" the chief Heels—the Pucilic licet—keeping in touch with New Zealand. Although the main purpose of the Conference -was naval defence, the quclion of land defence was not neglected, and important resolutions on this subject were agreed to. Full particulars of what was done at tiie Conference will be laid before you, together with such legislative and oilier proposals as are necessary in order to give effect to the resolutions arrived at. I feel assured that you will give them your most icareful consideration, and that the result of your deliberations,' will be alike honorable to New Zealand and helpful to the Empire. INTERNAL DEFENCE. Legislation effecting important alterations in the internal defence of the dominion will also be submitted to you.

LOCAL BODIES LOANS. During his visit to London Sir Joseph Ward obtained and despatched to Zealand £500,000 to carry on public works and £500,000 for advances to settlers and workers, £1,000,000 in all, and has made arrangements by which, with a necessary alteration of'the law, moneys required for Ideal bodies and other public purposes can be obtained. To effect the. requisite alterations, proposals will be submitted extending the scope of the Advances to Settlers Department and making it the medium for obtaining in England .moneys for the use of local public bodies and also for raising the ncjcessary sums' for' tlliV. purchnso of lands for settlement. The Department's loan operations will be guaranteed by the State. Legislation will be submitted with this object for your consideration.

WEBSTER LAND CLAIMS. What arc known as the Webster land claims, which has been asserted bv the United States Government against tin imperial Government at various times during the last fifty years, were again revived a short time ago, and, as on former occasions, the Imperial Government communicated with the Government of New Zealand. My advisers caused the whole case to be exh.uisine ly reviewed, aud saw no reason to depart from tiie opinion held by former administrations, that the claim had no warrant cither in law or equity. Although no financial liability attaches to New Zealand, the transactions having occurred before responsible government was established here, my advisers considered it their duty to cooperate with the Imperial Government in dealing with the matter. To this end the Prime Minister conferred with the authorities in London, and subseqiientlv with the British Ambassador to the United States at Montreal. A*' a result it is probable that certain legal questions will be .submitted to a stiecial tribunal, and there is little doubt but this course will finally dispose of the whole matter.

HIE MAIL SERVICES. The present condition of the mail connections with the t'nileil Kingdom is unsatisfactory, and negotiations are proceeding with a view to giving a closer connection via Vancouver, and also endeavoring to obtain an improved mail service via San Francisco. The (Jnvcrn-I incut consider it would be a great advantage to the Dominion if one of the I large steamship mail and passenger lines now (lading from England to Aus tralia via Suez Canal were to extend (he voyage to Xew Zealand. Jlv advisers will ask the authority of' Parliament to enable mail and passenger services gcnerallv to bo improved, a id thereby remove'the undeniable isolation bv which the Dominion is at present detrimentally alTertod.

NATIVE LAM) LAWS. Till! Native Illlld lit W- of Xl'W Zealand, now contained in over scvc:itv si']«minstatutes' has, owing cbiclly tii the lines along which this legislation has developed for the lust forty years uiuliT different administrations," become pcrplexinglv [irofusi', inlriciili' and in-coiiaislc-.il. Under the cireum.st'iuccs, the Commissioners appointed under tile Reprint of Statutes Act, ISUS, found consolidation an impossible task, and so reported to inc. My advisers nave accordingly had a separate Bill prepared, revising, recasting, and harmonising the whole of the Native land laws of the country, ami making such amendments as are requisite. The Hill will also ho shortly introduced ho" your consideration. The triple gain in the simplicity, clearness, and brevity of this; branch oi law will facilitate the operation of the Native Land Courts, the determination of Native land titles and the sottlcnicvt of Native lands. My advisers fully recognise that the rapidly increasing population of the North Island demands 11 vigorous policy of European settlement on all surplus Native lands. The work of the recent Native Lund Commission and the present energetic pr iniolioii of survey;) facilitate this policy. Returns showing what has been lately done in various directions will be shortly submitted to you.

RATING ON NATIVE LANDS. Provision will be made fm llio licit-r settlement of Natives upon the lands reserved for their use. The time has arrived when Native lands' should be.ir a larger share of the expense of piiblii works, by which these lands are ma le mom accessible and otherwise improv «i in value, and legislation providing for the rating of Native land in all reasonable cases will be brought before you. Such provision will, my advisers thin"", serve the dual purpose of a just impost and a spur to closer settlement or cultivation of the lands affected. FINANCING LAND SETTLEMENT. 'The permanent prosperity and steady progress of this dominion depends cliielly upon the increase in number and success of its small fanners in all brancai s of that, great industry, and the two cardinal aims of the Government in this country are to get and keep an ever increasing proportion of its' populaiiin on its lands. To this end you will be asked to consider and; pass the Special Settlement Finance Hill introduced hlsl year, which makes the Slate a guarantor behind every group of willing and capable .small settlers without adequate means, that they will pay the purchase money of the freehold of any suita'iie area they can acquire ior closer settliment from larger corners. You will be asked to consider furt'icr hunt legislation, devised among olh.-r things to make rural ljfe more attractive, to -encourage settlement, and lo more effectively prevent undesirable aggregation of holdings. You will al ;•> be asked to pass further legislation to lireyent continuing evasions of the Land and Income Assessment Act. PRISON REFORM. The subject of prison reform has been engaging the attention of my advisers, and a system proceeding along the lines already successfully tried in other progressive countries, is now nearly completed. It is essential to the •effective working of this system that the principle of the indeterminate sentence should bo extended, and fuller

powers than exist at present be given to magistrates for the committal of female and juvenile offenders to homes or reformatories instead of to gao's. To further assist Wis system, some amendments' of the law relating to inebriates are requisite. Legislation embodying these purposes will he brought before you.

.NEW HARBOUR BILL. IMy advisers have been much interested and impressed by the, discussions and resolutions of the various conferences of harbour, board delegates), and in particular with the objections which have been raised to the systems of electing and nominating for the members of the various harbour boards. A Bill will be introduced for your consideration this session, which, although plainly a consolidating measure, will include many amendments sugge ,t ed and approved by the different harbour bonrd conferences.

NATIONAL ANNUITIES. My advisors are of opinion that it is the duty of the Slate to encourage the work-people of Hie jjominion to make provision against loss of earningis due to incapacity through sickness or accident, and further to make provision for old age, and in the case of death for the maintenance of dependents. Sucli provision the State now substantially assists the members of I lie civil service to make, anil similar assistance is proposed in the case of all work,-.., in private employment. Willi Ibis object you will he asked io p:iss the National Annuities Hill introduced last year, an 1 also Amendments of the laws dealing with the superannuation of the public service.

PURE MILK. The paramount importance to hitman health and life of -a pure milk supply has been increasingly recognised by tie municipalities of this country, anil th; time has' now arrived when boroughs and cities should be empowered by law to take such measures as they think fit to secure pure milk 'for the people, including if necessary that of establishing a municipal supply. This and some other desirable amendments ot the Municipal Corporations Act will he submitted for your consideration.

HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID. At present there is l some overlapping of function among the hospital and charitable aid hoards, and some objection to the method of creating these boards. These defects will be remedied by a bill which will he laid before you.

SHIPPING AND SEAMEN. It will be remembered that important proposals for the amendment of shipping and seamen legislation were agreed to by the .Maritime Conference held in London in 190", at which the Prime Minister, the' Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, represented. New Zealand. You will he asked to consider legislation amending our Shipping and Seamen Act, so as to <rive effect to the proposals of th,. conference.

IIIXINC! LEGISLATION. Tlii" mining industry continues pros|K'rous. lint employing'as it (loos n very largo number of onr people it deserves the fullest encouragement of the flovorninent. The existing mining legislation is working smoothly, but some amendments are desirable to make it more effective. These will bo submitted for your consideration. Legislation removing the dill'ieulties which arose in connection with miners' complaint anil the medical examination of miners will be submitted to you. Bills amending or consolidating Hi; law with regard to native lands, lands for settlement, advances to settlers, crown lands, friendly sooietic.-', hospital and charitable aid, municipal corporations, harbour boards, fnetories, shops and offices, workmen's homes, workers' compensation for accident, industrial schools, public works, companies, bankschools, public works', valuation of bind, Maori councils, companies, bankruptcy, the law of libel, indecent literature, and other important matters will be introduced for your attention. I feel sure thai in ali these matters whose purpose is Hie improvement of the wellbeing of the people and (he development of the resources of a richly endowed country, you will employ your bos.l. energy iiml judgment, and t trust that bv the blessing of Almighty (iod vour deliberations and proceedings will be to the credit of Parliament, the good of y«iy Zealand, and the honour of the Empire. (Continued on page 3.)