GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1473, 28 June 1912, Page 8

GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

DEFENCE LAW AND THE TARIFF.

LAND AND OTHER PROPOSALS,

LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL AGAIN APPEARS.

NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION.

The Speech from the Throne, which appears below, is one of the,longest over laid before a New Zealand Parliament. It descends to minute details, and contains many allusions to late events and developments within the Dominion and abroad. , , A ..determination is expressed to increase the attractions of rural life, and to that end a number of proposals are advanced. Further improvement of the positions of the First and Second Divisions of the Railway Service is promised, as are reductions in Customs duties and in the railway fares of children. Taxation proposals include an increase of the graduated land tax and certain exemptions of ordinary and income tax. In regard to local body loans, it is proposed to give preference where money is required to provide access to the back-blocks. Other local body loans in some ( in-, stances'are. to be guaranteed. To improve transport facilities, light railways are suggested. The Government proposes to provide retiring allowances for politicians who have served for; long periods. Further legislation against trusts, and and amendment of the Arbitration Act, arc among the important measures promised. Other proposals are for the establishment of rest-homes for the treatment of temporary mental aberration and for various extensions of hospitals and related institutions. The, Government indicates that It will introduce preferential voting as a substitute for the second ballot. Bills-mentioned are an amended Local Government Bill, Defence AcfAmendment, and Native Land Act Amendment. The Government states that it wjll restrict trafficking in Crown leases, prevent undue aggregation of estates, and establish bureaux of information to supply particulars of Crown and Native land open for settlement

Agricultural colleges and additional experiment farms are promised. It is proposed to Import an expert from abroad to reorganise the railways, following upon the approaching retirement of the present. General Manager.

_ The Government promises to extend the provisions of the National J* - SCheme, and t0 makc "-..01 d A B ..P.™ion. age for women

inspection of school children and extensions of higher education are other innovations promised. '

cadeta.' , Stated tHat Pro ' PoSalS Wi " b8 submiUetl '° demilitarise the junior

Parliament was opened yesterday afternoon by his Excellency tho Governor. The weather conditions were unpleasantly cold and damp, and recent activities o'f the Public Works Department have robbed Parliament orounds'of tlieir once neat and trim appearance, but, as. usual, large numbers of people assembled to witBess the nrrijal of the Governor. Tho galleries in "both Houses were comfortably filled/though they were not packed as they have been on some former occasions. Lord .Islington, who was received with tho customary salute, was escorted by a squadron of Mounted Eifles and a Guard ■of Honour; consisting of Senior Cadets was drawn'up before the main entrance.

Sixteen ladies were accommodated wtth seats on the floor of the Legislative Council Chamber. Lady ' Islington, attended by Captain Macdoiigall (aide-de-camp) and Miss Stapleton-Cotton, arrived at 2.30 p.m., and was presented with a bouquet by Sir' Charles Bowen, Speaker of the Council. Another bouquet was presented by the Speaker to Mrs. T. .Mackenzie, wife of tho Prime Minister. 'Among tho other Indies present were: Lady Guinness, Mrs. A. M. Myers,- and Mrs. Stopford.' The Uight ilon. Jas. Bryco 'and Mrs. Bryco were interested Bpectators of the, proceedings.

Lord Islington entered the Council Chamber at 2.35 p.m., attended by Mr. A. Guise (private secretary), Captain Shan, -non (aide-de-camp), Major-General Godlev, Colonel Collins, Colonel Heard '(Director of Military Training'), Colonel Johnstono (Director of Artillery), Captain Spencer-Smith (Staff-Officer), and Commander' Stopford, I'.N.

A message was at once, sent to tho Lower Housd desiring the presence- of, its members, and "they entered five minutes later, led by their Speaker (Sir Arthur Guinness). Tho members of the jMinistry formed the first row as tho members stood facing the Governor, and ,Mr. Mnssey and Sir Joseph Ward occupied positions side by side in the centre of Hie second row.

The. reading of the Speech occupied a space of thirty-five minutes, and was concluded at :).1"> p.m. The Governor then departed, accompanied by the officers in attendance, and was quickly followed ,by Lady Islington and Ihe other visitors find members'. A few minutes later tho Council-commenced an ordinary sitting. "When members assembled in the House of Kepresoiitativus-all Ihe Ministers wero in their places. And most of them in places straiiKe lo -them. The Hon. T. Mackenzie k'upt his .-wit in the front bench at tin; Speaker's extreme right, leaving the Him. \\V I). S. Macd:>nald to take the. mon- central front seal, formerly occupied by Sir Joseph Ward. The member for Awania hail taken his post in a buck bench, with .Messrs. G. J!. Sykes, .1. 11. Bradney, K. M'Ken/.ie, and Yernou lieid as hi's companions. \mong well-known members not present wu re: Sir .ranies Carroll, Mossrs. W. H. Ilerrics, G. .1. Andorxm, A. T. Ngata, and 3. A. Millar. Leave nf absence for one week was granted to Mr. Millar, and for three days to Mr. .Anderson, on account of illness.

The only incident of the sitting which had oily 'ijo-jriujr on coming events was Mr. Slasspy's notice of his intention to move a want of confidence amendment to the Address-iii-Itepiy. "ih. .lobn I'nync give -notice of no less than four Hill's: "The Workers'' Eights and."Workers' Wages Bill. Die Workers' ifTiiiumni Bill." "The Prevention of the Acquirement, of Lnearncd increment Hill,", and "The Arbitration Act Will."