GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10038, 7 May 1910, Page 3

GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

The Premier, Mr G. R. Sykes, has prepared the following Governor's speech, to be read at the opening of the first session of • the Masterton Parliamentary Debating Society, on Monday evening next: —■ Honourable Genttemen of the House of Representatives,—lt is with much pleasure I meet you in Parliament assembled. The seasuns of this country have continued bountiiul, and the productiveness of its various industries has maintained more than its average standard, and measured quantitively the total production is greater than ever. Owing probably to the satisfactory relationship existent between the great Powers, in a large measure due to the efforts of our illustrious Sovereign, King Edward VII., the world's markets are very firm indeed, notably those for the Dominion's greatest products—wool, frozen meat, butter and cheese. The depression consequent upon the fall in prices of our staple products some two years since, is slowly disappearing, and the financial stringency is appreciably relaxing. The present outlook is very encouraging, but, in view of former experience, my advisers counsel the people of the Bo minion to exercise the greatest economy both publicly and in a private capacity. My advisers fully recognise that the increasing population of this country, and notably of the North Island, demands a vigorous policy of European settlement uf all surplus Native lands, and legislation bearing on this important subject will be submitted to you. You will be asked to consider further land legislation, devised among other things to make rural life more attractive, to encourage settlement, and to mo;e effectively prevent undesirable aggregation uf holdings. My counsellors will also present for your consideration certain amendments of the present land Act, relating more particularly to the tenure. My advisers are of opinion that the time has arrived for the State to encourage the work people of the Dominion to insure against loss of earnings due to accident or sickness, and also to make provision for old age, and, in the case of their decease, for the maintenance of dependents. To attain this object, you wiil be asked to pass the National Annuities Bill. With a view to ameliorate the conditions of labour, and to improve the relationship a between employer and employee, my advisers will submit for your approval certain amendments to the Labour laws of this Dominion. Realising that "the silent martyrs of life—the low-waged workers' wives, who keep the cradle full'and bear the double burden of maternity and poverty." are deserving of every sym- i pathy. My Ministeis will asic your approval of a Bill providing subsidies ' to parents of large families, similar in principle to that obtaining in Europe, To provide sufficient revenue for this purpose a Bill will be intro- v duced to tax bachelors, such taxation to be on a graduated scale.

~An opportunity will be afforded you to discuss the initiation of the Referendum on questions of great moment to this country.

My Ministers have much pleasure in announcing that the railways of the Dominion are now working on a sound financial basis. Every consideration will be given to legitimate demands for the constructing of light line railwass, upon .terms which will be duly submitted to you Field Marshal Viscount Kitchener, who has recently visited this Dominion to inspect its defences, has submitted a lengthy report bearing upon the suhject, which wiil be placed in your hands at an early date, for your earnest attention.

I feel sure that in all these matters, whose object is the improvement of the well-being of the people and the development of the resources of this country, you will employ your best energy and judgment, and I trust your deliberations will be a credi tn Parliment, the good of the Dominion, and the honour of the Empire.