PARLIAMENT OPENS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23881, 25 February 1943, Page 4

PARLIAMENT OPENS

COURSE OF WAR REVIEWED

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S ADDRESS

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 24. Parliament was officially opened by the Governor-General (Sir Cyril Newall) this afternoon. The weather was good and the usual ceremonial was observed. His Excellency, accompanied by Lady Newall, left Government House for Parliament Buildings at 2.15 p.m., following the usual route and preceded by an escort provided by the Police Department. The Guard of Honour at Parliament Buildings, under Captain P. A. M. Rant, was provided by an Army School, and an Army band, under Captain C. Pike, was also present. The reading of the Speech from the Throne by his Excellency to members of the Legislative Council and of the Lower House, assembled in the Legislative Council Chamber, occupied about eight minutes. His Excellency said:— . “Honourable gentlemen of the Legislative Council and members of the House of Representatives: When last I addressed you the British Commonwealth and its Allies were preparing to meet, with what resources could be made available at short notice, the first overwhelming flood of Japanese aggression by the gallant resistance, particularly of American and Australian forces with whom New Zealand naval and air units have been closely and effectively associated in action. That flood, which spread far and wide, and most grievously damaged Allied interests in this part of the world, has now been stemmed and appears to be receding. “It is not only in the Pacific that the most promising and heartemng results have been achieved. In the Middle East the enemy have been thrown out of Libya and Tripolitania. and in this victorious campaign the New Zealand troops have again plaved a memorable part, of which the whole Dominion is justifiably proud. North Africa “The landing in North Africa of British and American forces has rapidly cleared all but a small portion of that area from Axis influence, while, in Europe, the invading hordes of Germany and her satellites have met with a military defeat of huge, and as yet incalculable, magnitude at the hands of the heroic Russians. "Though the way will still, no doubt, be long and hard, with many stern struggles to meet and heavy difficulties to overcome, my Ministers are convinced, from +he develonments of the last few months and from the information at their disoosal. that if every effort continues to be bent to this great task, the end is certain and may not be as distant as previously appeared to be nrobable on all fronts.

“The Al'ies have now been able to abandon the defensive strategy that was forced upon them in the early stages of the war. and to nrenare for a general attack on the aggressors. ’The momentous meeting at Casablanca between President Roosevelt and Mr Chdrchii] and them advisers, has been welcomed by my Government as an occasion of profound significance for the cou rcri and conduct of the war. The year 1043 will, it is confidently expected, be one of wide Allied offensives. U.S. Forces In N.Z. “We have been most happy to welcome to the Dominion in large numbers the members of the United States armed forces, whose relations with our own people are most cordial and whose exemplary behaviour has earned our warmest admiration.

"The people of the Dominion have met the demand of war with a spirit worthy of the highest commendation, and my Government are most appreciative of the efforts of all sections of the community in the armed forces, and in the various subsidiary war efforts in industry, in agriculture, and in ordinary civil life. “My Ministers feel that the war effort of the Maori race has been especially praiseworthy, organised and controlled by the Maori people themselves through their own leaders, in accordance with their own customs and traditions. Their response has been magnificent, and their pakeha comrades fully share their pride in the world wide renown for courage and the highest fighting qualities that the Maori troops have so gallantly won. “The marked improvement of the position in the Pacific, and the necessity for • essential war purposes of maintaining to the full the production of the Dominion, seem to my advisers to indicate the desirability of some readjustment of the measures that they 'have up to the present considered it necessary to take for the local defence of New Zealand. This matter is now receiving their close and earnest consideration, and their proposals in this connexion will be laid before you for discussion during this session. “My advisers are devoting special attention to the difficult and intricate problem that will be involved in the rehabilitation into civil life of the men of the armed forces. Their proposals in this connexion are well advanced, and they are confident that they will be able to meet all requirements as they arise, with due regard to the generous treatment of discharged soldiers, sailors, and airmen, and without dislocation of the economic life of the Dominion. Producing For Victory “My Ministers have devoted considerable care and attention to the question of stabilisation, and comprehensive measures have been adopted towards the attainment of this end.

“Mr Speaker and members of the House of Representatives: Until it ends in complete victory for the United Nations, the war must continue to absorb an ever-increasing proportion of the Dominion’s resources. For the purposes of New Zealand’s total war effort and for local defence, the Ddminion is receiving from the United States of America in large proportions and on lend-lease terms, weapons, equipment, and other supplies which cannot be produced in New Zealand. For our part, we are rendering to the American forces in the Pacific as much aid as is within empower in the form of foodstuffs, primary products, services, materials, and labour for construction. These efforts are reflected'in the Dominion’s war finance, which now absorbs more than half of the national income, a burden which must inevitably increase. The aim of my Government is to finance war expenditure as much as possible from current revenue, and, up to the present, approximately half the cost has been met in this way. “Honourable gentlemen of the Legislative Council and members of the House of Representatives; It is the intention of my Ministers during this session, which they feel should be confined. in the present circumstances, as far as possible to war measures, to transact only such business as is essential. among which will be included a revision of the legislation relating to war pensions, and measures to facilitate the success of their proposals for promoting the rehabilitation and economic security of returned servicemen.

“It will be necessary, however, for Parliament to consider, among other matters, the desirability of holding a Genera] Election this year, and the views of my advisers on this matter will be placed before you in due course.

“In all your deliberations I pray that God may be your guide to the lasting benefit of the Dominion and the advancement of the cause for which we fight.”