PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8217, 22 August 1906, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

(Government Memo).

WELLINGTON, August 21. Parliament was opened at 2.30 o'clock by Hi 9 Excellency the Governor, who delivered the following speeoh:—■ Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives— It affords me much pleasure to again meet you in Parliament assembled and to feel that you must rejoice with me at the prosperity which continues to bleas this colony as a whole. The outlook was never brighter or more encouraging. Production has increased, prices are profitable and the condition of our trade, industries and finance reflects the prevailing spirit of enterprise and confidence. These bappy circumstances notwithstanding, sorrow is still deeply felt at the occurrence that led to the various political changes whioh have taken place. In the reoent .short recess, the Hon. Sir Joseph George Ward was asked, and at my request undertook, to form a Ministry, and it is now in office. It is gratifying to note that our population has grown with our prosperity, and that the last census shows a marked increase both in the white and Maori races of these islands. The !ate Right Hon. R. J. Seddon visited the Australian Oonimonwealth in May last and every, where received a welcome that was at once worthy of his achievements and gratifying to this colony. He crowned his career of splendid service to New Zealand by arranging a provisional reciprocal treaty between this country and Australia. Tliis treaty will be laid before you for consideration, and, if ratified, may form the first step to a closer commercial union with our nearest neighbouring kinsmen. It is unnecessary to emphasise fhe advantages aooruing to both lands from a closer commercial relationship and freer exchange of products. Mr Seddon also established New Zealand agenoies in Sydney and Melbourne. Following last year's session a Postal Conference at Rome took place, the Sir J. G. Ward represented the Colony, and one of the important results secured by him was the granting to New Zealand of a separate vote. He' used his best endeavours to obtain universal penny postage, but was out-voted. He visited the Marconi works, and the knowledge he gained will, I am satisfied, be of benefit to tbe colony when considering the question of wireless telegraphy. The news of tbe attempt on tbe life of their Majesties the King and Queeo of Spain was received by the inhabitants of this colony with horror, and a message was sent expressing detestation at the dastardly outrage. The terrible calamity which befel the City of San Francisco by earthquake and fire, appalling in its suddeness, and awful in its magnitude, cast a gloom over the whole colony. Messages of sympathy and offers of assistance were sent to America, and the thanks of tbe President, the Government, and people of the United States ifave been received. 'lhe Japanese famine and tha distress oaused by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius also evoked the sympathy of our people, and practical •; assistance has been rendered in both cases. Owing to the effluxion of time, the preseut Commandant, Majjr-General Babington, will retire at the end of this year, and it is with muoh regret that the Government will then lose the ser--1 vices of this valuable officer, as he is unable to see his way to aopept engagement for a further term. When considering the appointment of his successor tbe whole question of colonial defence will be reviewed and weighed by my advisers. I am pleased to inform you that the new flagship, H. M.S. Powerful, with the Australian Squadron, recently visited New Zealand. The Admiral and Mb officers were accorded a very hearty welcome, and I feel sure they carried away with them kindly remembrances of the visit, Honourable members will be pleased to hear that a training ship for boys has been established. Tbe work is, at present, in its preliminary stages, and my advisers hope to submit a report to Parliament. I am pleased to inform you that preparations for the opening of the International Exhibition, on November Ist, are progressing i satisfactorily, my advisers, are satisfied that it will be a success, and will result in great- benefit to the colony. The Imperial Government and tbe Commonwealth Government have signified their indention of 1 being represented, and have lent some valuable pictures. Other exI hibits have been received from all parts of the world. I feel confident that when the extent of the buildings, the number, variety and importance of the exhibits, and the beauty and interest of tbe surroundings are disclosed, it will be admitted that the New Zealand International Exhibition is worthy to take an hon-» ourable place amongst similar undertakings of the Old World. In accordance with the arrangement expressed in tl'e Anglo-French agreement of 1904, a conference was held in London between representatives of the British and I'reuoh Governments, for the purpose of drawing up a scheme for the oontrol of tbe New Hebrides, which, without altering the ioteruffcional statuß quo, would provide for the personal security of European residents, and for the settlement of disputes. A copy of the draft Convention adopted at the Conference has been forwarded to Ministers who have had tha advantage of consulting thoPriruo Minister of the Common wealth with respect to its terms. A communication, expressing their views concerning tbe protection of the natives and the preservation of Australasian interests in the group, has been forwarded to the ColGuial Office for consideration. My advisers, recognising that among the main industries of JNew Zealand are those pertaining to pastcral and agricultural pursuits, deem it advisable to encourage tbe application of scientific metbodß to productive processes in order that our farmers may success* fully meet tbe increasing competition of other countries. Though muoh has been accomplished in this direction, muoh set remains to be done. Ihe mining industry has received the aareful attention of my advisers,

and honourable members will be gratified to know that the output of J gold and coal for last yeir has exceeded anything for the pa9t thirty years. You will ba asked for authority to enable additional assistance to be given for the development of this important industry. The land question arises periodically ) for discussion, and is stili, as in all, . free countries, one of the greatest t unsettled problems. On the whole, our complex aystetu of freehold anti leasehold tenures which has been ' slowly built up during many years,, 1 by successive Governments, has worked well, having steadily fur--1 thered settlement. It would be imprudent to suddenly attempt any '< radical ohange in lane! laws which have been carefully devised to meet the needs of desirable settlers whether in good or in bad times. Important amendments are necessary, and my advisers hope to submit procosals wbiob will bring our system nearer to the ictoal of granting the fullest measure of security and stimulus to the farmer, consistent with the paramount interests of the duties of. the State. My advh-ers believe that it will bo to the interest of the Maori race, aj well as to the great advantage of the whole colony, to provide that all Native lands should be beneficially occupied, either by the Maoris themselves or by Europeans. To accomplish this it is recognised that Native laud titles must be dealt with and determined, the needs of the owners ascertained, and where they bave surplus and unoccupied land, these must be acquired by the State for settlement. The creatiou of an efficient and distinct Department for Native Affairs, will, it is believed, expedite the carrying out of suoh a policy, and this has already been undertaken. A proposal will / be submitted to you for the improvement of the system of audit in the aououuts of Government departments ; and public bodies. The colony is, happily, attracting an increased number of visitors, many of whom may be regarded as tourists. The value to our peode from this souroe is very considerable, and reasonable efforts will be made to further increase the usefulness of the Tourist Department. The Commission whiob was appointed to inquire into the Te Aute and other Native Trusts has reported to me, and the report will be laid before you. Another Commission has been set up to invests gate the causes of fhes on board ships laden with our produce, voyaging from this colony to England. , The frequency of these fires, their danger to life and property, and the importance to. producers of minimising all risks by sea carriage make it imperative to ascertain the sources of these accident)?, so as to guard against their recurrence. This report will be presented to you in due course. Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: The estimates of expenditure for the current ye3r have been framed with eoonomy, having due regard to the magnitude of the area and interests under control. The policy of active progress in connection with railways and the completion of lines under construction will be vigorously prosecuted. You will be asked to make special provision to provide for the extension of roads and telephones to outpoßt settlements, to facilitate both business and medioai aid communication. The question of making provision for Old Age Pensions as well as that of a separate endowment fund for educational purposes and hospitals and charitable aid, is a subject of national importance, and proposals for setting aside suitable endowments for these purposes will be submitted to you. Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the Ho'ise of Representatives. The labour lawß - have been administered on the whole with satisfaction both to employers and employees. As, however, our industries have developed and multiplied the number of industrial differences, breaohes. of award and workers' compensation claims have necessarily increased, and delays have unavoidably arisen. The arbitration and conciliation system cannot operate satisfactorily unless disputes and claims are promptly and expeditiously decided. To ensure this, my Ministers are of opinion that the time has arrived for the appointment of a Judge of the Arbitration Court who should devote the whole of his time to this special work. Proposals will be laid before you to give effect to this object. Expeiienoe has also disclosed some defeats and anomalies in our labour laws. Steps will be taken to have these remedied. The buildings in course of erection at Petone and Auckland for workers' dwellings are being rapidly pushed forward and others will follow in different parts of the colony, as circumstances require. Maternity homes have already been opened in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin, and one will shortly bo opened in Christohurcb. The scheme is working satsfactorily. Effective and economical adminis tration of the Government cannot be secured, unless the ablest and best qualified men are drawn *to the ranks of the Civil Service. The attainment of this will bb materially assistel by the classification of the service anS by provision being made for the old ago of those who have, as publio officers, served the colony faithfully and well. The encouragement of thrift should be one of our cardinal aims. The operations of the Post Office and Savings Bank, and the Government Life lusurauce Department have done much in this direction, but a more immediate stimulus to thrift i 3 still desirable. My advisers consider that the creation of an annuity system, accepting contributions from all olassas and offering in return the largest annuities the State can afford to pay deserves careful attention, and my Ministers hope to submit e complete scheme for carrying out this object. The development of trade by opening up fresh markets for produce will be actively prosecuted and the importance to producers of having cheap rates of freight and freedom to avail themselves of them will not be lost sight of. My advisers are of opinion that the San Franoisco mail service, and the offer for the Vancouver inaH service, should be renewed. • Efforts will be made to enablo New Zealand to enjoy, along with Australia, the Commonwealth .Royal Mail service. The question of

extension of commerce to the East is occupying the attenion of my advisers, and proposals relating thereto will be submitted. The promotion of trade with the Dominion of Canada and with tbd United States is receiving every consideration at tbe hands of the Government. Another direction in which the efficiency of tbe administration of public affairs can be improved is by shuplyfing our system of local government, and a measure dealing with this and kindred matters will bo submitted to you in due course. There are many anomolies in the Customs tariff which should be removed. It is expedient, however, to have a revision of the whole question of Customs duties rather than confine attention to small defeots or phiticular items. Tho formation of treaties with other colonies, and the suggested arrangements with the Mother Country, require to be first considered before any snob general revision is made. It is, therefore, felt better to postpone the review of our Customs duties until after the projected conference of Prime Ministers to '->e teld in London next yenr. Moteover, this will enable the Miuister in charge of ihe Customs to personally investigate the general requirements of both producers aud consumers in New Zealand. Meanwhile, Ministers propose to ask Parliament to ionew "l'iie Arginulturrd Implement Manufacture Sale Act, 1905," which has expired. .Important matters affecting tho Empire will be dealt with at a conference of Prime Ministers to be held in London on April 15th next, and at which it is intended this colony shall be represented. A conference doaliDg with shipping laws will hlso be held in Loudon next year, and my advisors have arlanged for the colony to be repre sented. I feel confident yoi will give thp position of tbe colony and the matters I have brought under your notice, together with the measnres that are to be submitted, your earnest and careful consideration, and 1 trust that your labours and deoisions may, with God's blessing, result in materially promoting the prosperity, happiness, well-being and lasting benefit of tbe people of New Zealand.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

By Telegraph—Press Association.

WELLINGTON, August 21. The Council met t»t 3 p.m. The session was opened by the Governor with tho customary formalities. When the Vice-Regal Party had retired the Attorney-Gen-eral formally notified the change of Ministry duiing tbe reuent reoees. A message from the Governor notified tbe resignation of the Hon. Arkwright as a member of the Council. Mr Louisson gave notice to move the Address - in-Reply «oxt Saturday. The Council adjourned at 3.8 o'clock.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

The House met at 2.30 p.m. and adjaurned to the Legislative Council aud was present when the Governor read the Speech. Sir J. Ward, Messrs Fowlde',' Aitken, MaNab, Uollan and T. Seddoa were swornin. The speaker read the following communication from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Natal: "Legislative Natal, Jane 14th, 1306 —Sir,—l have it in command from the Legislative Assembly to transmit to you the following resolution, which was adopted on the motion of the Prime Minister, seconded by the Hon. Mr Moor, at the first sitting after the announcement of the death of the Right Hon. Mr Stddon, namely, 'That this Bouse expresses its sympathy with the colony of New Zealand in the great loes that it has sustained by the death of the Right Hon. Richard aeddon, and requests Mr Speaker to forward this resolution to the Speaker of the House of Representatives of that colony.' May I be pormitted to add the expression of my own sympathy and of a deep feeling that the death of the Right Hon; Gentleman removes, a landmark from the Held, not only of New Zealand, but also of Imperial political life.—l have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, R. M. Archibald, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly." On the motion of Sir J. G. Ward, the House resolved to add the message to the records of the House. Sir J. Ward announced the new Ministry to the House. He gave the -details of what had happened since his return to the colony. Mr Masßey took the opportunity of congratulating the new Ministry on its accession to office, and expressed a hope that the measures of its devising might be for the benefit of the country, and euch as would obtain the support of his party and himself. The Premier thanked Mr Massey for his courtesy, and could ouly ■assure him it would be the endeavour of his colleagues and himself to place before the House such measures as benefit the country, aud meet with general approval. He proceeded to refer to the feeling of pain with which he had approached the task of reconstructing the Ministry. Ho referred to the long and honourable careers of Messrs Mills and Dunoan. Coming to the business of the House he urged reasonable despatch and made the tuggestiqn to facilitate business. He promised to bring down the Financial Statement next Tuesday evening, it was ready, and coulu be delivered at auy moment. He would also plaoe the intercolonial trade reciprocity treaty with the Commonwealth on the table ,uext Tuesday afternoon. To further faoilitate the despatch of business he suggested the advisability of altering slightly the order of businoes, recommending abolition of the 9.30 p.m. (supper) adjournment, sitting till 11 p.m., and adjourning at that hour. So long as their business was conducted legitimately and without blocking—a thing prevalent enough in some places, and not altogether unknown in New Zealand —he could see no reason why they should not rise every night at 11 o'clock, doing each day a good day's work and preserving; their health to boot. (Applause). / The Hon. C. H. Mills thanked the Premier for his sympathetic refer-

enoe to bis friend and late colleague, Mr Duncan, and himself. He recognised that certain complications had arisen against the continuance of the Ministry as it was constituted on the old basis. Sir Joseph Ward had clearly and satisfactorily explained certain points in that connection to him, and he had at onoe seen fit to withdraw into private life onoe more. (Applause). Mr T. Seddon gave notice to move the Address-in-Reply on Wednesday evening (to morrow). The House adjourned at 3.50 p.m.