PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 June 1922, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

OPENING OF THE SESSION. ' THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH. ' ADJUSTMENT OF FINANCES. TWO NO-CONFIDENCE MOTIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The. fourth session of the twentieth Parliament opened this afternoon with the customary ceremonial. The weather, though overcast, was fine, with a fresh chilly breeze. The grounds in front of Parliament House, with the members and public awaiting tlie arrival of the vice-regal party at the main entrance to the buildings, now completed, presented a scene in marked contrast to that of recent years, when the precincts of Parliament were surrounded with stagings and heaps of builders’ material. Outside the entrance was beflagged, and inside the spacious vestibule, with its fine columns and dado of beautifully figured dark marble, was a very fine example of architectural art. Around the well above the vestibule a bronze railing, with pillar caps of similar material, and white upper walls softened the severity of the sombre colored marble. Under light from a beautiful stained glass dome surmounting jthe vestibule, marble staircases lead from the entrance to the floors above and to ground level below. Punctually at 2.30 p.m. the GovernorGeneral, accompanied by Lady Jellicoe, arrived at the main entrance to Parliament Buildings, in front of which were lined up a detachment from N.Z.S. Chatham, who acted as a guard of honor. There were also present a company of senior cadets from Scots College and the Scottish Society’s pipe band, which played the Chatham's men into position. Immediately on arrival of the Vice-Regal party the National Anthem was played by the regimental band from Trentham. His Excellency was met at the steps by General Chaytor and Captain Hotham, of the Chatham, by whom he was accompanied on his inspection of the guard of honor. His Excellency then proceeded to the Legislative Council, where he read the Speech to members of both Houses. The Council assembled at 2.25 p.m. The galleries were full, several ladies being present, including Mrs. Massey and Lady Carncross and the wives of Ministers. Promptly at 2.30 Her Excellency Lady Jellicoe entered the Chamber bearing a beautiful bouquet of roses and native foliage and escorted by the Clerk of Parliament (Mr. A. F. Lowe). A few minutes late- His Excellency the Governor-General, wearing the uniform. of Admiral of the Fleet, entered with his suite, headed by Generals Richardson and Chaytor. His Excellency having commanded members to resume their seats the Black Rod departed to summon the members of the House of Representatives, who arrived preceded by the Speaker (Sir Frederick Lang) and the Clerk of the House (Mr. E. W. Kane). All members of the Cabinet except Sir Francis Bell were present. Lord Jellicoe then read the Speech from the Throne, which occupied ten minutes in delivery, and the proceedings ended at 2.45, when the Governor-Genera! and Lady Jellicoe left the Chamber and returned to Government House.

THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH. Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: It is with, sincere pleasure that I again meet you in Parliament assembled. During the recess the marriage of the only daughter of our most gracious Sovereign with Viscount Lascelles intensified the loyal sentiment which permeates the Empire, and provided an opportunity for an expression of the deep affection in which their Majesties are held. On behalf of the people of this Dominion I sent suitable messages of congratulation, to which II received gracious replies from His Majesty and Princess Mary. The unusual shortness of the recess, and the need -for paying constant personal attention to the important affairs arising in this Dominion, prevented my Prime Minister from accepting the invitation extended to him to attend the recent conference held at Genoa. My Attorney-General, who is visiting Great Britain, was appointed to represent New Zealand, but was unable to attend only the later stages of the conference. In his absence the members of the Englisn delegation were asked to act for this Dominion. He has also been appointed to represent New Zealand at the conference now being held at The Hague. A very important conference dealing with the subject of national disarmament was held last year at Washington. As neither my Prime Minister nor any of my other ministers could attend, the Honorable Sir John Salmond, a judge of the Supreme Court was appointed to represent this Dominion. The results of this conference exceeded expectation, and have laid a sound foundation for peace among those nations that participated in it. Papers relating to this conference will be laid before you and for your information. A conference of delegates from those nations constituting the League of Nations was held last year at Geneva, at which the High Commissioner for New Zealand represented this Dominion. Papers will be laid before you relating to this conference, and you will be asked to pass resolutions confirming certain of its decisions. For reasons already mentioned, it was found impossible for either myself, or my Prime Minister, to visit the islands of the Samoan group during the recess as had been promised, but papers relating to the government of the mandated islands have been prepared, and will be placed before you in due course. Since the closing of the last session of Parliament I have had an opportunity of visiting many parts of the Dominion. Everywhere I have been recived with much cordiality, and have heard expression given to the deep loyalty to the throne which animates the people of New Zealand. 1 have noticed with pleasure the prevalence of an optimistic feeling for the future and a conviction that the difficulties which were felt when I last addressed you are in a fair way to be overcome. FINANCE. Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: The estimates have been prepared with a view to rigid economy. Much

has been done in curtailing expenditure since I last met you, but my advisers are of opinion that much more must be done in order to maintain the desired equilibrium in the finances of the Dominion and I feel sure that you will give your earnest assistance towards such a desirable objective. The signal success of the 5 per cent, five million loan recently floated in London at par is a gratifying indication of the prestige and credit this Dominion enjoys in the financial centre of the world. It is essential that development must proceed vigorously by making more land available for settlers and by increasing the facilities for internal transport. The greater part of the loan will he used for these purposes. Special provision is being made to cope with such unemployment as may occur during the winter months. The new customs tariff passed last session is working smoothly and is giving general satisfaction. During the recess my Minister of Customs visited the Commonwealth of Australia, with the object of negotiating for a reciprocal tariff arrangement between .this Dominion and the Commonwealth. The tentative agreement there entered into will in due course be submitted to Parliament. The usual bills relating to finance have been prepared for your consideration, including the annual taxing bill, and also certain amendments of the Land and Income Tax Act relating to the incidence of taxation. There will also be submitted for your consideration a bill relating to the management of the public debt. Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of fhe House of Representatives: RECOVERY FROM DEPRESSION. It is with great satisfaction that I note that there has been a material advance in the prices of our staple products and at the same a considerable saving in the cost of production. It is also a matter for congratulation that Manchester. Bristol, Hull, and other large centres in the United Kingdom are now asking for direct shipment of New Zealand products. The Meat Export Control Act passed last session is working satisfactorily, and has already been the means of reducing the cost of marketing the frozen meat products of the Dominion. The confident anti* ipations of my advisers with respect to the commercial and financial recovery of the Dominion, as expressed to you in my speech when 1 last met yon, are now being realised, but some time must elapse before this improvement can be reflected in the country’s finances. My advisers are satisfied that, if continued vigilance is exercised over expenditure, the grit and determination so characteristic of our people, combined with the many natural advantages of our Do- , minion, will enable it to emerge within a comparatively short time from financial difficulties which are inseparable from the aftermath of a great war. Bills consolidating various Acts, especially those relating to harbors, the Public Trust Office, and stamp duties will be submitted for your consideration. You will also he asked to consider among other legislative measures amendments of the Land Act, the Mining Act, Coal Mines Act, the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, the Public Works Act, and the Native Land.. Act. At the request of the Imperial Government, legislation will be introduced making provision for the reciprocal enforcement of judgments obtained in superior courts within the Empire. Legislation will also be introduced making provision for the establishment of what arc known as agricultural, or peoples, banks. These institutions, which are primarily for the benefit of small agriculturists and artisans, operate by means of a system of co-operative credit and have proved to be highly successful in several European countries, and also in Canada and the United States. LENGTH OF SESSION. In view of the length of last session, and the large amount of important legislation which was then passed, my advisers are of opinion that this session should not be of more than average duration, thus permitting members to have a proper opportunity of visiting their constituencies before the date of general election. I commend all these matters to your earnest consideration, and pray that Divine providence may so guide your deliberations that the result will be for the good of the Empire and of lasting benefit to the people of this Dominion. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. NE*# LEADER APPOINTED. When the Council met after the opening ceremony Sir Walter Buchanan, whose term of office expired recently, was re-sworn as a member. Sir William Fraser announced he would load the Council in the absence of Sir Francis Bell, who was unlikely to be back for some months. Members congratulated Sir William Fraser on nis appointment as Leader of the Council. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LICENSING OF BOOKMAKERS. NO-CONFIDENCE MOTIONS. The House met at 2.30 p.m. ana wore immediately summoned to the Legislative Council to hear the Speech read. On resuming the House proceeded to formal business. Amongst the petitions presented were a number praying for an amendment of the Gaming Act regarding the licensing of bookmakers. These were all presented by members of the Labor Party. Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) gave notice of his intention to move an amendment to the motion that a respectful Address be prej sen ted to His Excellency in reply to his Speech delivered to members of both Houses. Mr. H. E. Holland (Leader of the l-abor Party) gave notice of his intention to move tlie following amendment on the motion to go into committee on the Imprest Supply Bill: (1) This House expresses the opinion that as the latest figures reveal there has been no fall in the cogt of living as between March, 1920, and March, 1922, the Government was not warranted in reducing the salaries of public servants, and therefore restitution should be made, at least to the lower paid employees. (2) That it should be immediately announced that there will be no further

reduction in public servants’ salaries iri July. (3) This House disapproves of the Government's attitude towards members of the P. and T. Association because of their perfectly constitutional decision to affiliate with the Alliance of Labor, every affiliation of which is duly, registered under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Aot. (4) This House condemns the Go-v--ernment for its failure to deal effectively with the problem of unemployment. The Premier moved the first reading of the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill, •which was agreed to on the voices. In reply to Mr. Wilford, Mr. Massey said to-morrow he proposed to go on with the usual motions of condolence* with the relatives of deceased members and with the Imprest Supply Bill on Friday. He then moved the adjournment of the House, which rose at 3.5,