The Daily News. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1921. THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1921. THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

Owing to Mr. Massey’s absence from the Dominion it was not to be expected that the usual Speech by the Governor-General at the opening of Parliament would contain anything more than generalities. A perusal of the contents of this formal pronouncement yesterday will create neither surprise nor disappointment, its chief feature being the remarkable number of words used to notify what might have been condensed into a few short paragraphs. An attempt is made to hearten up graziers by expressions of Ministerial optimism as to prices of frozen meat and wool being shortly restored to itheir former level, and by the prediction that the Dominion will be one of the first countries to recover from the existing slump in prices and the consequent financial depression. Apparently Ministers do not participate in the general tendency to regard the present position of affairs seriously, though it is admitted that all classes in the Dominion are affected by the drop in the value of produce, and that unemployment is one of the results. Passing reference is made to the need for economy, and the establishment of relief works, the latter using up money that was intended for plant and material for public works. Presumably this is intended as a note of warning that, public works will be seriously curtailed, but as the whole of the five million loan was absorbed in London to meet pressing liabilities it was self-evident that public works must suffer. Three matters of special importance are given a. place in the Speech. The first is the reduction of imports and the consequent reduction of customs revenue; the second is the great increase in the cost of the railway service and of the Post and Telegraph Department; and the third is the long over-due amendments in the law of libel in the direction of giving the Press relief from the present stringent provisions which prevent full reports of meetings being published unless actions for libel are risked. There are to be several consolidating measures brought forward with amendments, some of which may prove more controversial than expected. The promised revision of the tariff is to take place, but as to this complete secrecy is necessarily observed until the Bill is before the House. Manifestly the Speech gives very little indication of what will occupy the attention of Parliament for a few months to come, but it is generally considered that the session will be one of the most | strenuous in recent years; as the term of the present Parliament is drawing towards a close, members will be disposed to bear this in mind and act accordingly. There are several burning questions awaiting treatment, so it is to be hoped members will settle down to work instead of wasting time. The financial situation alone will tax the ingenuity of legislators to the utmost. There has never been a session when the need for farsighted wisdom, administrative skill and mutual forebearanee and consideration has been more nee-? essary than at the present, time.