The Daily News. THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1922. THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S SPEECH.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 June 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1922. THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S SPEECH.

The pronouncement delivered by the Governor-General at the opening of the final session of the present Parliament of New Zealand may be described as colorless. The theory is that this Speech from the Throne foreshadows important measures to be brought before Parliament, while in practice it is little else but a rehash of matters with which the people are familiar, accompanied by a series of perfunctory platitudes, and as small a reference to the real business of the ensuing session as is possible. In these respects the Vice-Regal utterances yesterday follow precedent, while they also echo views recently expressed on several occasions by the Prime Minister (Mr. Massey), more particularly to the need for retrenchment and the opening out of a brighter prospect for the producers. Once more the people of the Dominion are reminded’ ’“it is essential that development must proceed vigorously, by making more land available for settlers, and by increasing the facilities for internal transport.” Unhappily for some years past these “essentials” have been urgently needed, but have not been provided. The stimulating effect of the approaching general elections may. perhaps, see a forward move made in the right direction, but the electors will be difficult to convince that such steps are to be taken as will appreciably enlarge the Dominion’s producing power by closer settlement and adequate transport facilities. The Government. will not be judged on its promises, but. on its performances and omissions. The small loan of five millions will not go far in work not yet undertaken, and the rate of progress made in providing transport facilities can be judged by the state of the Strat-ford-Main Trunk railway, and the time taken over the work as far as it has gone, yet hundreds of men are unemployed while so much is waiting to be done. The only measure of importance mentioned in the Speech is that for establishing “what are known as agricultural or people’s banks.' If, however, that measure is to he merely for the benefit “of small agriculturists and artisans, operated by means of a system of cooperative credit.” it will receive short shrift. To be of real service in the Dominion, agricultural banks must have an adequate financial backing, and be of service to traders and others, though it does not necessarily follow that the State must provide it. In view of Mr. Massey’s pronounced views concerning the Bank of New Zealand’s business not being trenched upon, it would seem that the agricultural banks he contemplates will rather be rivals of farmers’ co-operative societies than the much needed aid to greater production. The present will largely be an electioneering session, which means an overdose of verbosity with the usual result of rushing through legislation in the dying hours of Parliament, leaving Orders-in-Council to govern the country. There are a large number of highly important matters needing the close attention .of the House, and probably giving rise to prolonged debate. The session opens under favorable auspices, and it is to be hoped there will be a satisfactory record of good work, well done,, when the close arrives.