P.M. Backs Links Of Commonwealth

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

P.M. Backs Links Of Commonwealth

(New Zealand Press Assoctaium)

WELLINGTON, February 12. “I know I express the feeliqgs of every member of this House when I say how honoured we feel this afternoon that Her Majesty has been able to fulfil, in person, her high legislative office here in New Zealand,” said the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) in Parliament today when moving “that a respectful address be presented to Her Majesty in reply to Her Majesty’s most gracious speech.’*

Mr Holyoake said: “We are all aware of the great traditions that lie behind the forms and procedure of this House. These traditions have evolved over centuries of growth in the Mother of Parliaments and have laid the basis for the rule of law and the protection of the individual throughout the world.

"The Queen’s presence with us in New Zealand makes us very conscious of the reality of the Commonwealth which sustains us and which we are proud to support.

“The links of Commonwealth are many and varied, but we would all agree that their basic strength lies in an attachment of the hearts as well as of the mind. “As members are aware, Her Majesty has been pleased to accept as a gift from the people of New Zealand the establishment of the Queen Elizabeth H Arts Council of New Zealand. “A resolution will be introduced this afternoon providing for the introduction of an appropriate bill during the next session of Parliament. “The development of the arts is an integral part of the growth of a nation. The Queen Elizabeth II Arts

Council will play a vital part in the life of our people .and will provide a living and lasting memorial of this Royal visit,” said Mr Holyoeke.

Supporting the proposal to set up the Queen Elizabeth II Post-Graduate Fellowship, Sir Eruera Tirikatene said that the Minister of Maori Affairs had approved an annual grant of £lOOO from the Maori Trustees Working Account to provide the fellowship, which was the Maori people's gift to commemorate the Royal visit.

“My Maori people are tremendously honoured that Her Majesty has been pleased to graciously accepted the gift and simultaneously grant her Royal approval that the scholarship bear her name.

“It will become a perpetual symbol of her enlightened understanding and expressed interest and devotion to her loyal New Zealand subjects. .“During the Maori Education Foundation Appeal the Pakeha and Maori made their enthusiastic and substantial contribution. By this scholarship, the Maori people wish to reciprocate, for although derived from Maori monies, it will be made available to both Maori and Pakeha.

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) seconded the motion that a respectful address be presented to the Queen. He praised Her Majesty as the mother of a family setting an example of what home life should be. in spite of her many absences.

He said the Queen was welcome to New Zealand at all times. Each generation had the right to see the person appointed to take charge of “this amazing Commonwealth of ours ”

Mr Nash referred to the E.E.C. controversy. He said the responsibility had been increased for New Zealand to do something at once to extend trade and to meet the extraordinary conditions which could arise in the next decade.

On Western Samoa, he said It would be wrong for New Zealand to imagine its responsibility was complete. “We have a continued responsibility,” he said.

Mr Nash also emphasised that New Zealand should not force independence on any part of its Pacific possessions.