PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9129, 30 June 1908, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

OPENING CEREMONY. GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. PROPOSED LEGISLATION. (Per Government Memo). Parliament was opened yesterday by His Excellency the Governor (Lord Plunkett), who delivered the following speech:--Honourable gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and gentlemen of the House of Representatives: I have much pleasure in again meeting you in Parliament assembled in ?c----cordance with the practice of my predecessors, and for the purpose of widening my acquaintance with the people and lands of the Dominion. I have during the past twelve months visited various parts of the country, and everywhere on these journeys I was profoundly impressed by the sturdy energy, loyalty and material comfort of our people. Since I last met you New Zealand has maintained her high standard of healthy prosperity, and although the prices of some of our chief commodities have recently suffered depression, there is a hopeful prospect of their early recovery. The general outlooic for our products and those engaged in trade and commerce is encouraging, and given due energy and prudence there appears no reason to apprehend that the increase in our material wealth and the widespread comfort of our people is likely to decline. It is fitting that I should mention the loss which Great Britain ha 3 suffered in the death of its Prime Minister, the late Right Honourable Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman, whose high character and long public service endeared him to our nation, and now secures for him a lasting nlace in the memory of the British people. During the last twelve months death has removed the Honourable William Kelly, of the Legislative Council, and Mr James Bennett, of the House of Representatives—gentlemen who earned for themselves the esteem and respect of both branches of the Legislature. On 26th September last New Zealand passed from the status of a colony to the higher plar.e of Dominion, and I take this the first opportunity I have had to congratulate you in Parliament assembled upon the high dignity His Majesty has thereby conferred en this progressive country, and to express the hope and belief that the change may not orly secure for us a worthier place in the world's esteem, but also by increasing our national self-respect, help to stimulate the higher ideals of our own people. Consequent on strong representations' made by my Prime Minister when in London, New Zealand has now been placed in the same position as the Dominion of Canada with respect to

the important question of the reservation of Bills for the Roval absent.

I have been notified that early in August warships of the United States of America will visit New Zealand.

The event is historical, for it will be the first visit 01 a fleet of ttiat. great nation which has sprung from our own hardy race, a nation speaking our tongue, sharing not only our

literature and our noblest traditions, but aho our aspirationi and ick'als. Preparations for u suitable welcome are now well in hand, and it is honpd that the visit, in addition to its national importance, will be made a pleasant and memorable one to the officers and men of thi3 detachment of the American navy. Another event connected with the northern continent of America takes place in X

_ uly next, when Canada- will celebrate her Tercenenary at Quebec. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales will represent His Majesty the King on this important and historic occasion, which is one cf deep interest to all parts of our Empire. My Prime Minister was invited by the Government of Canada to be present as re-

presenting New Zealand, but owing I to Parliament being in session he will be unable to leave his public duties, and at the suggestion of my Advisers my predecessor, the Right Honourable tha Earl of Rarfurly, was asked and has kindly agreed to attend' in his stead. It is felt that New Zealand is fortunate in having such a representative who combines with other qualifications, a wide know ledge of and a deep love for this country and its people. An exhibition of more than industrial importance has been recently opened in London by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and I am pleased to say that I\ew Zealand products are well representel. The Franco-

British Exhibition has for us an international significance in that it affords a striking testimony of the relations of amity existing bitwean Great Britain and France; as at the same time contributing to the world's peace. v . The term of office of the High Commissioner for New Z-aland having expired on the 14th June inst., the Hon. W m . Pember Reeves was re-

appointed for a further term. An unusual period of dry weather during last mid-summer caused serious loss to farmer* and settlers throughout New Zealand, by reas.m of bush and other fires, which destroyed large areas of crop and forest, and in some ca?es stock and homesteads and other buildings. To relieve the loss which fell crushingly upon these farmers and settlers, grass seed was furnished by my Advisers in proper cases and upon such terms as relieve'! sufferer.?. Early on the morning of 11th December "last, New Zealand suffered a national loss in the destruction by fire

of Parliament Buildhgs. Happily, the Library and its contents escaped injury, but many valuable records and other papeis were destroyed. A threefold loss falls upon New Zealand bv the destruction of these buildings, for not only were they council halls of our legislature, and one of our chief archives, but th«y weft, closely connected with the history and progress of the Dominion. Indeed, as archives and as a memorial, the loss of Parliament Buildings is irreparable. Temporary accommodation for the year is provided in this House, and you will be asked to consider at an early date proposals which my Advisers will bring before you for suitable permanent Houses of Parliament.

It is recognised that our present mail service to and from Great Britain and Europe is unsatisfactory, and efforts have been continually made by my Prime Minister to secure the co-operation of Great

Britain and her oversea dominions to an end that a fast and entirely British line of mail steamers should be provided for these postal services of Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. These efforts are still being main-taineo, and my Advisers are hopeful of their ultimate success. This year a great work culminates in the completion of the labours of the reprint of the Statutes Commission, and during the session of Parliament a consolidation in five volumes of general public statutes now contained in some fifty-five volumes will be introduced for the purpose of being passed into law. This country has exceedingly rich national endowments of water power, and the expediency has been impressed on my Advisers of permitting portions of this water-power to be employed for private enterprise under strict and proper safeguarding in the public interest. Proposals to this end will be shortly laid before you in the form of enabling legislation.

My Advisers feel that the time has arrived to bring this country abreast of those which now secure more perfect majority representation by the system of a second election, and a Bi'l will be introduced providing for such a system. Since I last met you difficulties have been experienced in the industrial world, and to meet them my Advisers will submit legislation which it is hoped will improve the industrial condition of our people and promote friendlier relations between employer and employed. You will be pleased to know that the land legislation of last session promises success. Several large estates have been acquired, and in disposing of them for settlement, the popularity of renewable lease system has been shown by the fact that the demand for sections has largely exceeded the supply. It is gratifying to find that the mining industry,

which is second in importance only to our farming and pastoral Industrie.*, is thriving and orcgress'ing with steady strides. Legislation facilitating the opera;ion of some minor provisions of the Mining Act will be introduced, and clearer expression will be given to the intention of Parliament with regard to what is known as "bank to bank" clause of the Coal Mines Act. The Native Land Commissiorers (His Honor the Chief Justice and Mr A. T. Ngata,

M.P., have been carrying out the work of the Commission with unfail-, ing diligence. They have held sittings in all the different localities in which areas of land calling for

investigation are situated, and have, with great patience, given native owners the fullest opportunities of being heard and of expressing objections or consent to those methods of dealine with lands which have been discussed or suggested by tl.e Commission. The happy, result has been secured that a very large area of land has been recommended by the Commission for European settlement, while retaining for native owners such areas as are desirable for their use and occupation. All this work

has been done with the harmonious

co-operation of the native owrers themselves. The necessary work of surveys and other preliminaries in the opening of such land for settlement is being pushed on vigorously. It is hoped that the Commission will be able to complete its labours very eailynext year. The present law with respect to native ownership, such as in Taumarunui, Te Kuite, and other centres has been found to be unsatisfactory to Europeans, and the disabilities arising from this law will be removed. The departure of the steamship "Nimrod," for the purpose of the scientific exploration of the Antarctic regions, has created much interest throughout New Zealand, and the result of these explorations is awaited with hopetulnes and interest;.

It is gratifying to have the assurance of my Advisers that the great work of the construction of the North Is'.and Main, Trunk Railway will be completed within a few months and thereby the two principal cities of Wellington and Auckland will be directly connected by rail. Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: My Advis-' ers feel that this country has now reached & stage at which it should institute a scheme of national annuities available for all classes of the community. The complexity of this question has caused my Advisers much, earnest consideration, and a scheme • has been devised which it is hoped will secure general approval, and which will be laid before you in the form of an Annuities Bill. Proposals will also, be submitted providing for superannuation for employees of local public bodies, tramway, gas and electric light companies. Difficulties and objections in connection with ourpresen't method of public audit have induced my Advisers to determine upon a change in the system and amendments of the law will, therefore, be proposed bringing the.public audit of this country into closer harmony with the system which prevails in Great Britain and most of the oversea dominions. During last session two AHs were passed providing schemes for the classification and superannuation of the officers of the public service. The necessary preliminary work of bringing these Acts into operation has been pushed on diligently and they promise eminently satisfactory results. Some mifior machinery defects will be met by an amendment which will be laid befoie you. The estimates of the revenue and expenditure for the year have been compiled with due care, having regard to both economy and efficiency and will shortly be placed before you for your consideration. The accounts disclose as in recent years . the gratifying result of a substantial surplus ou the year's transactions, .-.and I am happy to say that so far this •year's receipts are in every way sulisfactorv My Advisers have be?n increasingly impressed by the needs of settlers in the less accessible local - ties of the Dominion. These settlers courageously endure many hardships, and in view of the beneficial result of their labour to the whole community ~.; my advisers are of opinion that the l State should extend a strong helping hand to them in such directions as are prudent. To this er.d you will be I asked to make a special and liberal provision for the construction of roads, telephones and such other conveniences as will assist them-in their works of settling and improving our outpost lands, and relieve as far as possi'ble the hardships incident \to their lives. The success of closer

settlement justifies Ihe vigorous pio a motion of that policy and among th \ cardinal object sof my advisers wil 1 t be the extension of closer settlement, r and the early completion of the main < lines of railways now in hand. After , mature consideration my Advisers ( have decided to increase the contribution paid by this Dominion to the British Navy, as they are confident that the truest interests of the people of New Zealand will be best served by having a powerful Navy under the independent control of those responsible, for directing it in time of peace or war. You will be asked to make provision accordingly. Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: My Advisers have asked the British Government for a larger vessel than the "Atnokura," so as to train up to a thousand young men at a time, A j proportion of the men thus trained wbuld then be available for manning his Majesty's ships in New % Zealand waters. It is also contemplated that the training of young men for the Mercantile Marine should be undertaken on the New Zealand training ship. The advantage of this proposal is that in time of need those who are engaged in this occupation will be sufficiently trained to man His Majesty's ships if required. Steady progress has taken place during the past year in the agricultural development of the country. My Advisers have constantly kept in view the necessity for up-to-date methods in farming operaciona, and che ayplication of .-ounce i;.j agricultural pursuits. The vnri»m~ I'vpor!mental stations are enlisting the sympathies of farmers throughout the North Island; and the extension of the system to the South Island is in contemplation. Satisfactory

progress lias been made in the direction of the establishment of a dairy r school at Palmerston North and of a veterinary school at Dunedin. My Advisers are of opinion that, with the near approach of the completion of the North Island Main Trunk Railway, the time hag arrived for the State to acquire the Manawatu Railway Line, and the proper preliminary legal steps have already tnen taken to that end. Legal difficulties which may possibly emerge in the further proceedings to be taken will be mat by legislation if they threaten any serious delay in the acquisition of the railway line by the State. It has fur some time been recognised that greater efficiency in the education system would be obtained by decreasing tlie size of the classes under an instruction. Proposals will accordingly be laid before you for a substantial increase in the staff of the public schools. At the same time in order to secure a full supply of well-qualified teachers it is proposed to make provision especially in the case of small schools, also for an increase in the salaries of teachers. The question of annual increments to salaries generally and for giving greater facilities for the promotion and transfer of teachers will also be submitted to you for your consideration. Measures will be submitted to you dealing with national annuities, closer settlement,' the extension of the second ballot, Shipping and Seamen act, Civil Service amendment, slaughtering and inspection, contractors' and workers' liens, workers' compensation, Friendly Societies, nival subsidy, Meikle acquittal, backblocks roading and bridging, public holidays, local bodies, tramway, gas and electric light companies, employees' superannuation, Public Service classification and superannuation amendment, Native lands, water power leasing, life assurance policies, amendment, r.onsolidatioii .of Statute law, destitute persons relief, Government post audit, inspection of machinery, model by-laws, Native Townships Act, Mining Act, teachers's superannuation, police superannuation, school teachers' salaries, and superannuation, land and income assessment, local authorities, sudsidies local Government mental hospitals, hospital and charitable aid, the law of libel, infant life protection, impounding, corporation contracts, secret commissions and other impoitant matters. In conclusion, I desire to express my confidence that you will give to all the matters I have brought under your notice your careful consideration and soundest judgment, and 1 trust that your labours and decisions may have God'd blessing, resulting in promoting still further the prosperity, happiness and permanent well-being of the people of this Dominion as a whole.

BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION, WELLINGTON, June 29.

Owing to the restricted room in the new chambers in the old Government House, the public were not admitted at the opening ceremony. Lady Ward, Miss Ward, Misses Hall-Jones (2), and Mrs Dr Findlay were the only attendars other than the Members and Councillors.

The proceedings in connection with the opening ceremony and the Governor's Speech were over at 2.52 o'clock.