“Signs Of Progress”

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30055, 13 February 1963, Page 14

“Signs Of Progress”

The Queen, in the Speech from the throne, said: Honourable members of the House of Representatives, it is moving and memorable for me to be present once more among the elected representatives of the people of New Zealand and to exercise my prerogative of opening the third session of this thirtythird Parliament.

I have been deeply touched by the warmth of the welcome extended by my people in New Zealand, both European and Maori, and by the expressions of loyalty and affection I have received. From them, I shall draw strength for my task as your Queen and as head of the Commonwealth’s great association of independent nations I have been impressed by the many signs of progress and development since my visit to New Zealand nine years ago The population has grown by well over 40u,000 in those years and has put to the test the country’s capacity to provide the capital development needed to sustain this growth. It is a matter for satisfaction that this challenge has been met so successfully. There are new houses, new schools, new roads and aerodromes, newly won farm lands, and new industry—all signs of a vigorous response to the needs of a growing and prospering community. I have also been impressed by recent advances in the efficient use of the country’s natural resources. The widespread application in the primary industries of new scientific techniques has greatly increased the yield and potential of New Zealand's farm lands.

Complementing this progress in agriculture has been a steady development of manufacturing industry The recent discovery of natural gas and condensate oil is another heartening promise for the industrial future of New Zealand

The life of any nation must also be measured in other contexts than those of material orogress It is therefore with pleasure that I have learned of a widening stream of literature and of expanding interest and activity in other artistic fields. I have been heartened, moreover, by the further signs of solid progress in the building of a unifled nation from New Zealand's diverse European and Maori cultures While the decisive responsibilities for this rest with individual men and women, the Government has an important part to play, particularly in providing guidance and assistance. I have been keenly interested, therefore, in the establishment by my Government and people of the Maori

Education Foundation. 1 am certain that it will assist my Maori people in making a vital contribution in all fields of national endeavour.

In their approach to national and international affairs, my Ministers attach special importance to New Zealand’s membership of the Commonwealth and to the standards of conduct acknowledged by Commonwealth countries, their common institutions, their predisposition towards mutual trust and sympathy, and their co-opera-tion in a vast range of human activities.

It was with a feeling of special satisfaction that, on the recommendation of my Government in New Zealand, I recently appointed Sir Kenneth Gresson, President of the New Zealand Court of Appeal to sit as a regular member of the Judicial Committee of my Privy Council. The inclusion of a New Zealand judge in the Judicial Committee will, I feel sure, serve to enhance its importance as a Commonwealth link

The movement among the countries of Western Europe towards closer economic and political association has important implications for New Zealand and all other Commonwealth countries. To the members of the Commonwealth the benefits of economic interdependence, together with the other traditional ties, have always meant a great deal in terms of mutual well-being and progress. The broader developments of today require a close and searching appraisal of additional measures to provide New Zealand and other developing. countries with the wider opportunities they need for international trade. I am fully confident of the Commonwealth’s capacity to cope with changing conditions without losing either its cohesion or the character of multi-racial partnership by which it is distinguished.

It is a matter of regret to me that it will not be possible on this occasion to see more of New Zealand I look forward with keen anticipation to visiting other places when I next come to this country Nor has it been possible for me on this journey to visit New Zealand’s island territories for whose people I hold the closest affection, or to accept the most thoughtful invitation of the Samoan Government to visit Western Samoa.

The New Zealand Legislature has long maintained a progressive, humanitarian, and far-sighted approach towards the problems of New Zealand’s neighbon’s in the South Pacific. This was demonstrated in a practical

way when you passed the act endorsing the recommendations of the United Nations concerning Western Samoa’s independence.

My Ministers recognise, however, that many economic and social problems also call for action on a regional basis Accordingly, they look forward, in the Pacific, to an extension of the responsibilities of the South Pacific Commission and, in Asia, continue to regard support for the Colombo Plan as a basic element of New Zealand’s foreign relations. My Government considers it important that additional emphasis should be placed on the policy of bringing students to New Zealand for technical training. This will contribute directly, and in manner best suited to New Zealand’s capacities, to the economic development of friendly nations in South-east Asia and to the promotion of wider international understanding and good will. My Government will continue to give full support to the United Nations in its efforts to preserve peace and advance the economic and social aims of its charter. In the General Assembly and the other organs of the United Nations, New Zealand attaches particular importance to those principles which are fundamental to human freedom and are also a special feature of the Commonwealth association. The achievements of nine short years since my previous visit to New Zealand confirm my belief in the determination, imagination, and ingenuity of my New Zealand people and strengthen my confidence in their ability to meet and solve the problems of the future.

My Ministers have deemed it advisable to introduce at this session a bill to provide for the continued operation of the law in relation to Tanganyika which, having become a republic, remains a member of the Commonwealth. You will also be asked to consider a bill to establish the Queen Elizabeth II PostGraduate Fellowship of New Zealand. This will make provision for an annual fellowship. administered by the Maori Education Foundation, as the gift of the Maori people to commemorate the occasion of my visit to Waitangi.

My Ministers will also present for your consideration a resolution affirming their intention to Introduce at the fourth session of this Parliament a bill to establish the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council as the nation’s commemoration of my visit to New Zealand.