PARLIAMENT N.Z.’S PROBLEMS, POLICIES SURVEYED

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29843, 8 June 1962, Page 12

PARLIAMENT N.Z.’S PROBLEMS, POLICIES SURVEYED

Speech From The Throne At Opening Of Session IFrom Out Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, June 7. Legislation to be introduced this session would include a bill to validate a proposal to detain young offenders for periods outside normal working hours, the Governor-General (Lord Cobham) said in the Speech from the Throne at the opening of Parliament today. Other legislation would consolidate and remove anomalies from the licensing laws, and amend acts relating to copyright, indecent books and magazines, workers’ compensation, and industrial conciliation and arbitration.

In a survey of the international scene. New Zealand's problems and the proposed legislation this session, Lord Cobham said: “The gathering sense of climax in several fields of international activity has been the subject of constant concern to my Ministers. In particular, they have devoted the closest attention to the course of negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Economic Community. In its approach to this question my Government attaches full importance to assurances it has received that arrangements will be made to protect this country’s vital interests and that Britain will not enter the community should this impair essential Commonwealth interests.

"Every possible step ts being taken to preserve New Zealand's right of access to its markets. To this end my Minister of Overseas Trade has twice visited London and the European capitals, and in September my Prime Minister will attend a meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers to consider the United Kingdom’s proposed membership of the Common Market. Crisis In Laos

"Within South-east Asia, threats to the stablility of some countries have -continued and have served to emphasise the great significance of New Zealand's tneirttiership of the defensive alliances of A.N.Z.U.S. and S E AT O. "In Laos, the protracted failure to reach a political settlement under which, within a framework of neutrality, the Laotian people may work out their own destiny has greatly concerned my Government.

“The dispute over West New Guinea, between two countries towards which New Zealand is friendly, has reached a critical stage. My Ministers earnestly hope for a peaceful settlement which will take account of the legitimate interests of the territory's inhabitants

“The United Nations sustained tragic loss in the death of its devoted SecretaryGeneral, Mr Hammarskjold. New Zealand has fulfilled all its responsibilities to the organisation and has subscribed one million dollars to the United Nations bond issue. Ban On Tests

- “My Government regrets ’the absence of positive progress in the Geneva disarmament conference. As a first step it considers an effective international agreement banning nuclear tests to be essential.

"My Ministers favour a negotiated settlement of the Berlin situation which would.

safeguard the freedom of the people of West Berlin and secure Allied rights of access to the city. “H.MJ4.Z.S. Taranaki, which arrived in New Zealand in October, is now serving on the Ear East station The long-range transport squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force provided the airlift between New Zealand and Singapore when the Ist Battalion of the New Zealand Regiment relieved the 2nd Battalion in Malaya. “The first intake of national servicemen last month marked the initial step in the build-up of the Territorial Force to ita full strength of 10,000 men over the next three years. Overseas Loans

“In the field of the national economy, progress has been made in restoring balance, in spite of the persistence of unfavourable prices for exports which, for two years In succession, resulted in a reduction in New Zealand's export income. As a consequence of policies of restraint which have operated over a wide field, the pressure of excess demand has abated. There has also been a significant reduction in the level of impor-s and a welcome rise in the reserves of foreign exchange during the first half of this year “To cushion the impact of the fall in export income, two overseas loans were raised io 1961 and another in May this year. While recognising the longer term need to adjust overseas spending to the level of overseas earnings my Ministers are determined to avoid, where possible, abrupt restrictive action which would reset sharply and with damaging effect on all sections of the community. - “In both farming and manufacturing. production has been at high levels and full employment has been weU maintained. Within the Policy of providing foreign exchange for the import of all

essential goods, priority will continue to be given to equipment and raw materials for the- primary and secondary industries. The extension of the no-remit-tance import licence scheme to commercial imports for the 1962-63 licensing period will provide more goods and at the same time increase overseas exchange reserves. "The Public Accounts for the last year resulted in a small surplus after taking into account the proceeds of external borrowing and providing for payment of New Zealand's subscriptions to the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

“Estimates of expenditure for the current year will be submitted to you as soon as possible. “The report of the Committee on Simplification of the Public Accounts will receive the close attention of my Ministers as soon as it is available. Need For Capital “As a developing country. New Zealand has a continuing need for capital, to which a planned programme of external borrowing can make a valuable contribution Membership of ths World Bank has provided an important additional source of long-term caoital while the readiness of the International Monetary Fund 'to make short-term advances is of special value to a country subject to sharp fluctuations in export income. “In their approach tn problems of economic policy, my Ministers accord high priority to the objective of stimulating and achieving a faster rate of economic growth Competitive private enterprise will be supported and encouraged Any undue development of monopolistic trends within industry or commerce will be closely watched A review of price control will continue with the objective of further relaxation where this would not react adversely on living costs . “The Tariff and Development Board, established in terms of legislation passed last year, direct its attention to the oromotion of industry and will maintain s continuing survey of tariff and import licensing problems Fuel And Power “The discovery in Taranaki of natural gas. On present indications in very substantial quantities, is an event of major imoortance to the nation When 'develooed. this asset is likely to bring about a profound change in the pattern of fuel and newer resources “You will, accordingly, be asked to consider a measure to establish a mtnistrv of fue' and power and a ft!Fl and power council to ensure the eo-ordinated development of these resources, as well as legislation on the laying of oinelines and other matters ’elated to the most economic use of natural sas

“Another bill will deal with the problem of securing continuity of policy in electrieal planning and development. and a greater degree of uniformity in the terms and conditions under which lec‘ricity is distributed Ex nor! Trade

“High priority and much energy ts being given to exoanding export trade The visits of my Minister of Overseas Trade to Europe and to Asia have enabled a closer assessment of the problems and prospects “A Trade Promotion Council has been set up. consisting of men of 'landing and •xoerience tn the field of overseas trade An imoor’ ’eplacement scheme with bonus licences will be introduced where imported raw materials are incorporated in export products Trade surveys and missions, and oar’icioatlon in trade fafrs. are being undertaken to a greater “xtent than ever b-fnre My Ministers are oleased to s*e widespread interest tn the oractieal support for the export drive which is now gain •'nr momentum

“With competition so keer m the world's food markets New Zealand most meet the demands and the standards of buyers Ways are being “xamined to provide better control of meat export Maugh’er and packing houses and also of improving the law governing the killing of dock for local consumption ’nerea«ed funds have been provided for research Into new farm products and the maintenance of the quality of produce “Good progress has been made in implementing mv Governments land-'ettlement Policy. Two-thirds of the farms developed and offered

during the last year were taken up by civilians, mainly young men with farming experience.

"Legislation will be introduced to authorise farm forestry loans, to the value of £750,000 over a five-year period, in support of my Government's objective that an extra million acres of trees should be planted by the end of the century. “Last year the tourist industry earned over £4 million in overseas exchange. Further steps will be taken this year to increase these earnings. “My Ministers will give close consideration to the recommendations of the Select Committee on the fishing industry with the aim of assisting the industry to make full use of the natural resources in the waters adjacent to New Zealand. “The recommendations of the committee of inquiry into the sale of apples and pears on the local market are being examined with a view to the introduction of legislation for your consideration. Scientific Research

“In recognition of the increasing importance of the application of research in the primary and secondary industries, the Royal Commission on State Services ’ has been asked to give special consideration to the organisation of the nation’s scientific services.

“Some controls which were inhibiting the economic development of the transport industry have already been relaxed and further ways of promoting freer competition will be investigated. The modernisation of railway rolling stock is being pressed forward, a substantial proportion of the new equipment is being built in New Zealand. “Every effort will continue to be made to raise the standards of safety on New Zealand roads. A consolidation and revision of the transport act will be introduced. T.E.A.L.’s Future “Construction of the international airport at Mangere, is well advanced and the airport at Momona has been opened. My Government will provide for the further development of Tasman Empire Airways by negotiating for additional traffic rights in overseas countries. “The first section, between Australia and New Zealand, of the trans-Paciflc telephone cable being constructed by Australia, Britain, Canada, and New Zealand will shortly be opened and the New Zea-land-Canada section is scheduled for completion by the end of 1963 A further cable, to link with Commonwealth countries in South-East Asia, should be in use by 1966. "On January 1 this year Western Samoa attained its independence, thus bringing to fulfilment the co-operation of the Samoan people. New Zealand, add the United Nations My Government will work closely with the new State and. on a basis of friendship, will provide assistance in administration and international affairs "Increased local responsibility has been granted to the Cook Islands and Niue In future their respective assemblies will take full resoocsibility for the appropriation of their annual subsidies and of their own revenues You will be asked to consider an amendment to the Cook Islands Aet “A bill will be submitted to you. on the lines of that introduced last year, providing for a Parliamentary commissioner to investigate grievances of the private citizen against administrative decisions A Bill of Rights will also be introduced Jovenife Crime “The amount of crime, particularly by young offenders continues to be a source of deep concern and my Government is determined to take all possible measures te protect the community A detention centre has been opened and an accelerated building programme inaugur, ated to provide for offende"s sentenced to detention The expansion of child welfare services will continue in an endeavour to combat the causes of juvenile delinquency at the earliest possible age You will be asked to consider legislation enabling young offenders to be detained for periods outside norma) working hours during which they will be required to do useful work in the community Licensing Bill “A measure will be introduced to consolidate and rewrite tbe statut's governing the sale of intoxicating liquor with the aim of removing anomalies, making

the law more easily ascertainable and bringing it more into line with the wishes of the people. “You will also be asked to consider a bill completely revising the vagranev law and amendments to the legislation relating to copyright, indecent publications, matrimonial proceedings, and the liability of occupiers for injury sustained by visitors to their premises Education Report "My Ministers will give immediate attention to tbe comprehensive report and recommendations of the Education Commission, which will shortly be published ( and will serve to emphasise again the importance of education as an essential investment in the future well-being of the nation. Consultations will be held with the local controlling authorities, teachers' organisations. and other interested groups. Following my Government’s decision to establish a department of veterinary science at Massey College, a bill will be presented tc establish a university college in the Manawatu to combine the r tivities of the Palmerston North branch of the Victoria University of Wellington and Massey College Maori Affairs

“My Government affirms the vital importance to the whole community of ensuring that present and future Maori citizens shall be equipped to make their full contribution to the economic and social life of New Zealand. Special attention is therefore being directed to their needs, particularly by way of increased housing and improved education. - “The Maori education Foundation has already assisted young Maoris who can benefit from higher education but are unable to avail themselves of it with the resources normally avail, able. The generous public support to the appeal for funds for the foundation justifies the hope that much more will be done in future years. “The Maori Council of Tribal Executives, which will facilitate exchanges of in. formation and opinion between the Government and the Maori people, has been set up and should prove of great value in all matters of Maori policy. You will be asked to consider a bill to consolidate and revise the Maori Social and Economic Advancement Act and proposals- to eliminate some of the present legislative distinctions between Maori and nonMaori citizens. Housing “In every city and town the waiting time for homes has been greatly reduced. It is my Government’s policy to ensure that all citizens are adequately housed and to this end generous loan facilities and the family benefit capitalisation scheme will be continued. The state rental construction programme, adjusted last year in the light of the reduced demand, will in the present year be maintained at a level to meet the more urgent cases. “My Ministers will give early consideration to the report and recommendations of the Royal Commission on State Sendees. They anticipate that a new Public Service Act will be required. Legislation “Emphasis continues to be given to industrial welfare and safety Bills will be introduced to replace the Agricultural Workers* Act and the Shearers* Accom. modation Act. “You will also be asked to consider legislation to revise the Wages Protection and Contractors Liens Act and amendments to the Workers’ Compensation Act and the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. “Three bill* Introduced las’, year, the Nature Conservation Council Bill, the Civil De. fence BUI. and the Public Bodies Meetings Bill will again be presented tor your consideration.

“Another bill will propose the incorporation of the medical council and its separation from the Department of Health. Additional legislation to be presented will inelude a Carriage by Air Bill and amendments to the Government Railways Act, the Carriers Act, the Public Revenues Act. the New Zealand Loans Act, the SuperannuaH >n Act, and the Stock Act.