PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 June 1917, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

a OPENING PROCEEDINGS. _ GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, June 28. The new session of Parliament was opened this afternoon, by the GovernorGeneral, whose speech was as follows: Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatves: It is with pleasure I again meet you in Parliament assembled. > In recognition of the services rendered by New Zealand since the outbreak of war, and to mark the status of the Dominion, a signal mark of Royal favour has been recently extended in the bestowal by his Majesty the King of the dignity and title of GovernorGeneral upon myself. I regret to say that death has removed one of my advisers, - the late Hon. Dr. Robert M'Nab, who held the portfolios of Justice, Marine, and stamps. During , the recess the course of the great war has been definitely in favour of the Empire and its Allies. The Imperial Navy, true to its past history, is meeting new and difficult conditions as they arise with courage, resource and success. It is especially gratifying to note that the transport of our regular reinforcements has proceeded without interruption and happily without loss. Imperial troops have exercised constant pressure on our enemies, driving them from many, elaborately prepared positions. ' Bagdad, the old highway from West to East, is in the possession of British and Indian troops. This makes it possible in settling terms of peace to prevent developments on the part of our enemies designed to disturb our peace in the future. The land forces of his Majesty's dominions beyond the seas have been honoured with important tasks on several battlefields and they have invariably proved that the quality of their courage, endurance and discipline fitted them to fight beside their gallant comrades of the British regular army. The battle of the Somme, the capture of Bapaume, Vimy Ridge, Rafa and the recent storming of the German lines at Messines and Wytschaete, in which the troops of the various dominions took so large a part, give assurance that in whatever further tasks may be allotted to them they will not fail. All New Zealand has been stirred by the story of the capture of Messines by the brave men who left uor own shores. In early part of the present year Germany adopted a policy of unrestricted and indiscriminate submarine warfare. The development has failed in its principal object of reducing Great Britain and France to submission by starvation, but the large addition to the number of German submarines has increased the danger to shipping and the number of losses, with the result that the Imperial Government has found it necessary to requisition for Imperial necessities ships formerly exclusively engaged in the carriage of produce from the dominions to the Mother Country. The consequent reduction of the ordinary facilities for export of New Zealand produce, especially frozen meat, wool, butter andcheese, has occasioned inconvenience and anxiety, and has been the subject of constant communication between my Ministers and the Imperial Government. It is impossible to forecast the tonnage which will be available for New Zealand exports, but there is reason to hope that the position may (prove more satisfactory than was at one time anticipated. ii common with every other part of the Empire this Dominion is deeply impressed 'by and grateful for the determination of the great English-speaking people of the West to assist the caiis'e of freedom and right. It would be difficult .to measure the material, financitflt and moral support which the United States has already .provided and will provide in the future. The administration of the occupied Samoan Islands has been efficiently carried out, and there is every reasop to believo that the native population is happy under British control and has no desire to revert to the conditions which prevailed prior to the occupation by New Zealand troops. I have recently informed my Ministers that tlie Secretary of .State for the Colonies has assured me that the Imperial Government fully realises the vital importance to this Dominion of the destiny of the German colonies In the Pacific, and when the time comes for decision the fullest consideration will be given to the wishes of the New Zealand Government. VWuntary recruiting has continued with considerable success, 'but since last November has been insufficient in itself to provide the deintorce'ments required and it has therefore become necessary .to bring the Military Service Act into operation. The loyal and wholehearted support of t'he Act by the people of this country has been of incalculable assistance to my Ministers. The men drawn in the ballot have also, by their ready response to the call for service, removed most of the difficulties which might have been expected at, the initiation of a system without precedent

iii New Zealand. A new departure lias been made in the establishment of a National Efficiency Board. The gentlemen comprising the board and many others comprised in the organisation have gratuitously given their time and experience to the State, and I feel sure thait their patriotic services are fully appreciated by the people of this Dominion. ' At the invitation of the Imperial Government responsible statesmen of the dominions and of India met recently in England to confer on the present difficulties and future constitution of the great Empire to which we belong. The attendance of my Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance at this Imperial [ Conference has enabled them to obtain i information of value 'to my Government and to this Dominion, i The .presence of my Ministers with the responsible Ministers of other dominions at meetings of the War Cabinet was m! e vcnt remarkable in our history. It ' indicates the recognition by the Imperial Government of the growth of the : dominions, the responsibilities of TCmI nire and the right of the dominions to ■ representation when issues vital to their safety and interests may be under eon--1 sideration. I have 'been glad within the last two days to.welcome home my two Ministers and their families, and am confident von will find the course of your i deliberations- simplified and facilitated by tli* :%Bperienee they have gained, not

only in Great Britain, but at the seat of war oh the western, front.

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:

You will find in the public accounts of the past year and the estimates for the present year proof that economy has been and is .being exercised in every department of the State. The war expenses must of necessity increase, but this increased, expenditure is essential to give effect to our determination that Now Zealand shall .bear her full part until victory is gained. In the present session you will be asked to determine what part of those expenses shall be mot by loan raised within the Dominion.

Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:

The existence of a National Government prohibits the inclusion in the programme of legislation to be proposed to you by my Ministers of any measures other than such as are necessary to enable our country to carry out its obligation to assist in bringing the war to an early and successful conclusion. You will therefore be invited to devote your attention to legislation dealing with tlie present emergencies of this Dominion and of the Empire as a whole, and the provision of means to meet our financial obligations. I trust that (Divine Providence may guide your deliberations to the advantage of our Sovereign, of his Empire, and of this Dominion. j THE OPENING CEREMONY. Wellington, Last Night. The third session of the nineteenth Parliament opened this afternoon in fine weather, making possible a full display of the pomp and circumstance usually observed on such occasions. There were crowds of people in the streets leading to the Parliamentary 'buildings and spread over the spacious grounds, the buildings in the neighborhood being gaily decorated with flags. The guard of' honor was provided from Reinforcements at Trentham Camp, the Trentham band being also in attendance. Promptly at 2.30 p.m» their Excellencies drove up in the Viceregal motor car, the guard coming to the sailute and the band playing the National Anthem as their Excellencies entered the Legislative Council chamber, the floor of whit'll was occupied by members of the Council, the wives of Ministers, and Members, but there was singularly little display of color as in other years, the sombre lines of black and khaki being more in keeping with the spirit of the times. Black Rod summoned the members of the House of Representatives to attend; when Bis Excellency read, in a clear voice, the Speech from the Throne. OF REPRESENTATIVES, This ceremony being concluded, the House of Representatives opened its sitting, the Speaker taking the chair at 2.50. A large number of petitions, representing about 40,000 signatures, were presented, praying that hotel bars be opened only between 8 a.m. and C p.m. <|uring the period of the war. The .Speaker intimated that during the recess, the 'Pahia.tua, Hawke's Bay, and Bay of Islands seats had become vacant, and the following gentlemen had been respectively declared elected to fill the vacancies: G. 11. Smith, J. Findlay, V. H. ißeed. The former two then took the oath, Mr. Vernon Reed not being present. Notice was given of the intention to introduce .the following bills: Abolition of Toll Gates Bill (Mr. Wilkinson), Definition of Time Bill (Mr. Sidey), Temporary Employees Act Amendment Bill (Dr. Newman), Revocation of Naturalisation Bill (Hon. G. W. Russell). Dr. Newman gave'notice of his intention to ask if the Government would hold a secret session, so that members might learn the true state of the war. In reply to Dr. Thaeker, the Hon. A, M. Myers said that voluminous reports had .been received by the Government on the subject of the increase in the old age pensions, f. These were being considered; and the result would be laid before the House in due course. Replying to Mr. Wilford, Mr. Massey said he intended to take an early opportunity to make a statement on the question of freight rates and kindred subjects, and this would probably be in the course of the next few days. Mr. Allen, in reply to Mr. Wilford, said the Government had no power, as they now had in England, to close hotels in munition districts, 'but it did have power to declare any hotel put of bounds for soldiers. Mr. Smith (Pahiatua) gave notice of his intention to move at the next sitting day, the Address-in-Rcply to the Governor's speech. The Expiring Loans Continuance Bill was, on the motion of .Mt. Massey, read a first time pro forma. The House rose at 3.30 till 2.30 tomorrow.