PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8473, 28 June 1907, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

OPENING CEREMONY.

(Abridged From Press Association .Report.)

WELLINGTON, June 27.

The third session of the sixteenth Parliament opened, at 2.30 o'clock, this afternoon, with the usual ceremony, and there was not any exceptional interest manifested on the present occasion. The Governor, preceded and followed by cavalry, drove up to the House between volunteer guards of honour, and to the booming of guns, but the spectators were fewer than customary, probably owing to the bleak, drizzley weather and sloppy condition of the streets.' Inside the Legislative Council Chambers and in the Galleries the ladies were largely in evidence, and in the neighbourhood of the Chair various consular representatives in resplendent uniform lent additional brilliance to the gathering. Everyone listened anxiously to the "great secret" indicated by the Premier last night, and there was a quiet surprise manifested when it was announced that the colony was henceforth to assume the dignified title of Dominion. The opening proceedings occupied half-an-hour.

* LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

The Council assembled for a few minutes after the opening ceremony had been concluded. The following new members were sworn in:— Messrs - Gilmer, Callan, Sinclair, Tucker, McCardle, Paul, Loughnan, Anstey, Dr. Collins, G. J. Smith, Barr and Luke. The Attorney-General (Dr. Findlay) moved a resolution recording the expression of the Council at the great loss sustained in the death of the late Attorney-General (Hon. A. Pitt) and the sympathy of the Council with the family of the deceased. The motion was carried. The Attorney-General moved a similar resolution respecting the deaths of the Hons. Bolt and L. Walker, of the Legislative Council, and Messrs Kirkbride and E. M. Smith of the other House. The motion was carried. The Attorney-General moved a resolution expressing the loss the colony had sustained in the death of Sir John Hall, and appreciation of the great services he had rendered to the country. . This motion was also carried. The Attorney-General moved that the Council, at its rising, adjourn until Wednesday next, at 2.30 o'clock, as a mark of respect to the memory of the late Hons. Pitt, Bolt and Walker, of the Legislative Council, and Messrs Smith and Kirkbride, of the House of Representatives. The motion was carried. The Imprest Supply Bill passed all its stages.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 o'clock. The Expiry Laws Continuance Bill was read a first time. The Premier referred to the death of Sir John Hall, and stated that as many members desired to attend the funeral he had consulted the Leader of the Opposition in reference to adjourning the House, and he stated that no obstacle would be placed in the way. It would first be necessary to pass the Imprest Supply Bill. Mr W. F. Massey stated that he would place no obstacle in the way of passing the Supply Bill. Mr Massey desired to ask the Treasurer if he intended to make an amendment to the Advances to Workers' Act so as to place workers in country districts on the same footing as workers in the city and subsurbs.

Mr R. McKenzie urged that a reduction should be made in the valuation fees generally. The Premier said he should be glad to extend the benefits to the workers of the scattered districts in the country if it were possible to do so. He would have an inquiry made on the subject, and a report prepared by the Department, and if the same was favourable he was prepared to submit a Bill to the House. Six months leave of absence was granted to the Hon. W. Hall-Jones. The Imprest Supply Bill for £594,000 was brought down by Governor's message, and passed all its stages. On the motion of the Premier the House adjourned till 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. At 2.30 o'clock yesterday His Excellency delivered the following speech:— Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— It is with much pleasure that I again meet you in Parliament assembled. During the year which has intervened between this and the last opening of Parliament, New Zealand has enjoyed in an increasing degree the blessings of widespread and solidly based prosperity. It is a matter for universal gratification that judged by all the recognised tests of progress, wealth, population and social improvement, New Zealand has advanced faster during ,the last ten years than during any previous decade of its history; and it is equally gratifying to note that the future promises a continuance of the prosperous times we at present enjoy. I regret to say that since I last addressed you death has removed one of my Advisers, the late Honourable Albert Pitt, who held the office of Attorney-General. We have also to deplore the death of the late Honourable William M. Bolt and the Honourable Lancelot Walker, of the Legislative Council, and Mr M. M. Kirkbride, and Mr. E. M. Smith, of the House of Representatives, all of whom had rendered long and valuable services in the conduct of public affairs. The last loss this colony has sustained is by the death of the late Honourable Sir John Hall, K.C.M.G., one of the veterans of our public, life who in the active days of his political career was a distinguished mem-

ber of both branches of the Legislature. He crowned his public life by occupying with conspicuous success the position of Prime Minister of this colony. To fill the vacancy caused by Mr Pitt's death, I summoned Dr. J. G. Findlay to the Legislative Council and appointed him Attorney-General and Colonial Secretary. In the belief that a knowledge of the lands and harbours of the colony and its outlying islands is to some degree essential to a satisfactroy discharge of theiduties of His Majesty's representative, I have during the recess made an extended tour throughout the colony, and visited the Snares, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands, Antipodes, Bounty Islands and Chatham Islands. The general result of these visits has been to further reveal to me not only the extraordinary natural resources and advantages to this country, but the unfailing and universal loyalty of its people to Hi 3 Majesty the King. The earthquake catastrophes which lately occurred at Valparaiso and Jamaica roused much sympathy in New Zealand, snd at the request of my Advisers I sent messages to that effect on behalf of our Government and people. I regret to say that the earthquake at Jamaica claimed as one of its victims the late Right Honourable Sir James Ferguson, a former Governor of New Zealand. The Council of Defence provided by "The Defence Act Amendment Act, 1906," has been set up, and my Advisers are of opinion that good results will follow from bringing the volunteer officers into closer and more direct touch with defence administration. A squadron of H.I.M. 1 the Emperor of Japan also visited New Zealand recently, and, it being the occasion of a visit of a squadron of our ally, the admiral, his officers, and his men were warmly welcomed, and treated with a kindness and hospitality worthy of our [ nation's traditions. The year has been marked by two important confer- | ences which have been held in London. At the conference of Prime Ministers of the self-governing over-sea do-rinions New Zealand was represented by Sir Joseph Ward. A full report of the proceedings will be placed before you. I agree with my Advisers that, although much that was attempted remains unachieved, yet much was accomplished in the best interests of the Empire. On the important question of fiscal preference the Imperial Government were unable to accept the proposals of the over-sea representatives. The subject, however, was fully and clearly discussed, and my advisers are of opinion that the result will be for good in clearing the air and removing many prejudices and misunderstandings that as yet cloud the issue. In treating the other matters brought forward, the Home Government showed every desire to co-oper-ate in measures to promote Imperial unity and, in particular, promised to give full consideration to the suggestions of my Prime Minister in favour of cheapening postal and telegraph rates, reducing the Suez Canal dues, and quickening steam communication between the United Kingdom and the oversea dominions. Amongst the matters agreed upon at the conference not the least important was that in the making of Imperial treaties and conventions the selfgoverning dependencies directly affected shall be consulted. In accordance with this principle, the British Government invited the Prime Ministers of the Commonwealth and New Zealand to nominate a British representative on an AngloFrench sub-convention then shortly to be held for the purpose of settling certain matters of detail under the existing New Hebrides Convention, and on the recommendation of my Prime Minister, the Solicitor-Gen-eral of New Zealand, Dr. Fitchefct, was appointed and acted. The honours and attentions showered upon the visiting Prime Ministers gave gratifying proof of the kindly feellings with which the oversea dominions are regarded in the United Kingdom. In the case of Sir Joseph Ward, his Majesty caused him to be sworn in of his Privy Council; the corporations of London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Bristol admitted him to the freedom of their cities; and the universities of Edinburgh and Dublin conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. As the outcome of discussions at the conference it is understood that the Imperial authorities will arrange, that the self-govern,ing dependencies will in future be administered separately from the Crown colonies. Inclusive of dependencies, there are no less than thirty-three colonies of the Crown. In fthis connection it will, I am sure, be gratifying to you and our people generally to learn that, in compliance with representations made by Sir Joseph Ward, the British Government is prepared to advise His Majesty to raise the status of New Zealand by changing its designation from "Colony" to "Dominion," upon being requested so to do by resolution of Parliament. A motion to this effect will bo submitted, and if qarried the effect will be to place New Zealand in a higher position in the eyes of the world. / The circumstances and position of New Zealand make —and will probably always make —our agricultural and pastoral interests the paramount concern of the whole community, and my Advisers feel that the already extensive machinery and functions of the Agricultural Department may be still further developed to the material benefit of our settlera by spreading more widely the most recent scientific knowledge in productive processes of all kinds of farming. To this end an experimental dairy school and other methods of instruction shall be instituted, and two objects will be, kept in view: first, that of insuring the highest grade of excellence in our. products; and, secondly, that of protecting our farmers and the country generally against the injury resulting from interior products being falsely sold as those of New Zealand. The mining industry, in the widest meaning of the term, probably ranks second in importance to that of agricultural and pastoral, and it is gratifying to know that it is progressing upon a solid and legitimate basis. The gold entered for exportation last year amounted to £2,270,904, being a large increase on that of the previous year's output. My Advisers will ask for authority to assist and promote on safe lines the development of this great. industry, which in all its branches now gives employment to so many thousands of our people,

You will be asked to make further provision for workmen's homes, so that a smaller proportion of the wages earned by our city workers will have to be spent in rent. The results of the last census have now been definitely ascertained. The population of New Zealand (excluding members of the Maori race) amounts to 888,579, showing a very satisfactory increase (115,859) over the census of 1901. Bills dealing comprehensively with ' the important question of our land system will be submitted to you at an early date.

The problem of how the State should deal with the vast areas of native land in the North Island so as to open as much of it to European settlement as is consistent with the fullest regard to the interests of the native owners has perplexed many past administrations,and my Advisers, feeling that the first step to a permanent solution of this problem is a full and reliable knowledge of the facts and conditions involved, have, during the recess, advised me to appoint a Royal Commission, consisting of the Chief Justice and Mr A. T. Ngata, M.H.R., and this commission has accordingly been set up to investigate the land requirements for maintenance of the native owners and of the native race throughout the colony, and also to ascertain what area of such native land can, with full justice to the native owners, be made available for European settlement. This commission has been actively engaged in the pursuit of its duties for some months, and the result of its labours will be laid before you at an early date. It is proposed to introduce legislation, based upon the material supplied by the reports of this commission, securing to the native owners such land as they require, and making available for European settlement the surplur above these requirements. Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,—

The estimates of the revenue and expenditure for the year will be placed before you. They have been framed with a due regard both to efficiency and economy. The accounts show a very substantial sur- . plus on the year's transaction s, and so far this year the receipts are in excess of the corresponding period of last year. My Advisers believe that a judicious system of reciprocal tariff treaties with other portions of the Empire will benefit, not oniy New Zealand, but the Empire generally. A provisional treaty has been entered into with South Africa, subject of course, to confirmation by Parliament, and will be submitted for consideration accordingly. A vigorous v promotion of closer settlement and energetic construction of the main railway lines now in hand will be the cardinal objects of the policy of my advisers who will work to secure the cosmpletion of the North,lsland Main Trunk Railway by the end of next year. My Ministers are fully alive to the hardships of our settlers, especially of those in, the backblocks, consequent upon want of access to their holdings. You will be asked to make liberal provision for the construction of roads, telephones, and such other conveniences as may render the good work done by these settlers less irksome and trying than it has been in the past. y Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— My Advisers are of opinion, that it v will be a great benefit to the trading community if the Customs tariff were revised and simplified. A measure dealing with this matter will be submitted to you, and Torovision will be made for lightening taxation as far a3 possible on the necessaries of life.

The discontinuance of the San Francisco mail service has left New Zealand without an expeditious oversea steam service to England. The necessity for this country mantaining a close association with the |' United Kingdom is keenly felt, and / it is of the utmost importance to all classes of the community that this want should be remedied as early and as effectively as possible. My Advisers hope that a practical solution of the difficulty will be devised, and, in such event, proposals will be submitted for your consideration. The development of our trade with other countries has been under the consideration of my Advisers, and they are earnestly seeking means of more cheaply reaching our best markets and of opening up and extending new markets for some of our i largest products. - The importance to , ' our producers of being to compete with the products of other lands makes cheap and expeditious means of transit all-important and careful consideration has been given to this ! matter, and steps will be taken to .further its object. The law relating' to local bodies, especially in regard to their borrowing powers, is uncertain and unsatisfactory, and a measure dealing with this* and other . branches of local government will be submitted to you in due course Bills dealing with the gambling evil, secret commissions, mental hospitals, fire brigades, shops and offices, pure foods, and other important matters, will be introduced. lam satisfied you will bring to all the matters I have brought under your notice, and to other measures which are to be submitted to you,, your earnest consideration and best judgment, and I trust your labours and decisions may have God's blessing resulting in stiil furthering the prosperity, happiness, and permanent well-being of the people of this colony as a whole.