OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 308, 23 September 1932, Page 12

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Large Crowd Watches Ceremony GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S note of optimism Labour Leader’s No-confidence Amendment (From Our Parliamentary Representative.) Glorious spring weather marked the opening of the second session of the twenty-fourth Parliament by the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, yesterday afternoon. There was a colourful scene on the arrival of his Excellency, who inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and the ceremony was witnessed by an exceptionally large gathering attracted to the grounds of Parliament House by the fine afternoon and the touch of pageantry which always accompanies the opening of a session. Naval and military uniforms lent a brilliant touch to the function, and the galleries of the Legislative Council Chamber, where the Speech from the Throne was read, were crowded.. Ihe Mayor of Wellington, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, occupied a seat in the centre of the gallery, and he was surrounded by members oi the Consular Corps and distinguished visitors, who included the Comte de Baillet-Latour, chairman of the International Olympic Committee. It took his Excellency only eleven minutes to read the Speech, which was much shorter than usual. For the first time in several years, however, the Speech struck a definitely optimistic note regarding the economic outlook, reflecting the Government s growing confidence in the future. I have been happy to note indications that the depression from which New Zealand, in common with the whole world, has been suffering, is becoming less severe, and it is possible to hope for a return to prosperity at no distant date,” said Lord Bledisloe, who nevertheless admitted that much hard work still lay ahead. Brief sittings of both Chambers were held after the formal opening, but no business of importance was done. Members had a host of questions for Ministerial consideration and replies were received to some. Interest was shown in notice of a no-confidence amendment to the Address-in-Reply given by Mr. H. E. Holland. The House rose at 3.15 until 2.30 this afternoon, when tributes will be paid to deceased legislators. There will then be an adjournment until Tuesday afternoon.

SPEECH FROM THRONE

Increase in Taxation Unlikely LEGISLATION OUTLINED The Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, read the following speech after /the House of Representatives ha'd been ' summoned to the Legislative Council chamber: — Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— The financial and economic position of the Dominion having rendered ■' necessary a special session of Parliament which concluded in last > you. have been summoned to meet again for the normal session on a date later this year than is customary. During the recess I have taken the opportunity to visit various parts of the Dominion, and to meet their inhabitants belonging to all classes and occupations. I desire to express my keen appreciation of the cordial wel- •. come which they have everywhere extended to me as his Majesty’s representative, and of the courageous and i resourceful spirit with which they are ■■■■ facing the present economic crisis. My Ministers have consistently held the view that an Increase in inter- ’ Empire trade must be of benefit to the peoples of the British Commonwealth, and accordingly they warmly welcomed the convening of the Im- < perlal Econonjic Conference which met recently at Ottawa. At this Conference the Dominion was represented by ... the Right Hon. J. G. Coates and the Hon. W. Downie 'Stewart, and the results of its deliberations have been a matter of much satisfaction to the Government. Details of the agreements entered into nt Ottawa will be laid before you for your consideration. I have been happy to note indications that the depression from which New Zealand, in common with the whole world, has been suffering is becoming less severe, and it is possible to hope for a return to prosperity at no distant date. At the same time, the Government are convinced that the existing economic disturbance can be overcome only by international action directed to the abolition of the numerous financial restrictions at present .J hampering world trade. My Ministers jij. have therefore attached the utmost im- ? portance to the recent Conference at ? Lausanne, and they have followed its ; deliberations with deep interest, as ■" calculated to enhance confidence and : promote commercial intercourse. Com- • plete success, in their opinion, must depend upon international co-opera-tion, and my Ministers hope that a substantial measure of progress will be achieved by the World Economic Conference which is now contemplat- ' ed. My Ministers have continued their 7 whole-hearted support of the League ' of Nations and of the principles of permanent world peace which it is its ~ object to promote. They have been represented by their High Commissioner at the Disarmament Conference, which has been sitting at Geneva during the current year, and it is their ' earnest hope that when the Conference ’ reassembles it will be able to affect . a material reduction in international armaments. Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— Owing largely to the prices of primary products in the world’s markets continuing to fall during the past financial year, the disorganisation of our economic life has been accentuated to such an extent that the Government felt it necessary to submit drastic proposals to meet the situation. More adequate provision to relieve unemployment was found to be essential, despite the fact that the cost of providing this relief increased the heavy burdens already pressing upon the people. So extensive a fall in prices altered all previous standards of values, and its suddenness and rapidity caused many borrowers serious embarrassment. The legislation passed during your special session to enable them to maintain production / and in order to spread the financial burden as equitably as possible over all sections of the community has afforded considerable relief. The stagnation in trade and indus- . try was inevitably reflected in the public finances, and, notwithstanding additional taxation, reductions in salaries and wages, and other economies, the j ' efforts of my Ministers to balance the i

Budget were unsuccessful, and the financial year closed with a deficit of £2,140,000. It is gratifying to note, however, that this amount is more than offset by reserves accumulated in more prosperous times. The National Expenditure Commission, which was appointed to assist in effecting further economies in State expenditure consequent upon the reduced revenue, has now submitted its final report. Many of its recommendations have already been carried out, and legislation will be submitted to give effect to others the adoption of which is considered desirable.

In spite of prevalent adverse conditions, a loan of £5,000,000 was successfully floated in London in April. Of this amount, £4,000,000 was allocated to the redemption of short-term loans, and the remainder to public works. My Ministers are of opinion that the conferences at Lausanne and Ottawa, together with the large conversion loan successfully negotiated in Great Britain, have inspired a healthy and promising return of confidence. Improved trade conditions will result in better prices for the Dominion’s products in external markets, and the national income, thus augmented, will benefit ail classes of our people. Renewed activity in business will aid materially in accelerating economic equilibrium, and my Ministers are anxious not to discourage enterprise by imposing upon the community any further burden. Although the budgetary position still demands anxious consideration, every effort is being made to avoid the necessity for any increase in taxation during the current financial year. As a measure of relief, my Ministers recently decided to restore the system of penny postage. Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives. In common with other sections of the farming community, Crown settlers have been adversely affected by economic conditions, and in many cases it has been necessary to grant liberal concessions in order to ensure the continued occupation of their holdings. It is gratifying to learn from my Ministers that the work of developing areas of unimproved Crown land is progressing satisfactorily, and that the subdivisions already selected give promise of successful occupation. It has been found necessary, however, largely to suspend the purchase of estates for the purpose of closer settlement; but every effort is being made to meet the demand for small dairy farms by rendering available for selection suitable areas of Crown land, and by applying the provisions of the legislation of last session under which substantial advances may be made to prospective settlers who are desirous of purchasing sections of freehold property. The development of native lands is being pursued with energy, and with due. regard to the requirements of the various Maori communities concerned. The number of schemes in operation at the end of last year was forty-one. On many of these subdivision has been carried out and farm units established, particular attention being directed to dairying. The provision of work on native lands for unemployed. Maoris has been of material assistance in affording them much-needed relief and in reducing the expenditure of unemployment funds. The assistance rendered under the Hawke’s Bay Earthquake Act, 1931, to those who suffered loss as a result of the catastrophe of last year has been of great benefit to this area. The Rehabilitation Committee, which was set up to consider applications for relief has completed its difficult task, and the progress already made in the restoration of the district affords ample proof that its work has been well done. A Bill to consolidate and amend the law relating to companies will be submitted for your consideration to bring the law of New Zealand into harmony with company law in England, but modified so as to -meet local requirements. These amendments are deemed necessary in-order to give effect to the recommendations of the Advisory Committee appointed for the purpose hi 1930. x Bills will be laid before you relating to the rating of urban farm lands and to safety in building construction; for the amendment of the law concerning customs, banking, superannuation, native lands, hospitals .and charitable institutions, remedies for live stock diseases, the poultry industry, and weights and measures; and for the consolidation of the Municipal Corporations Act and its amendments. I trust that, with God’s blessing, your deliberations may promote the welfare and prosperity of the Dominion and its people.

FORMAL OPENING

Ceremony at the House BRILLIANT SPRING SUN A salute of 19 guns, fired by the R. from the buttery at Point Jerningham at 2.15 p.m., marked the departure of their Excellencies from Government House. They were accompanied by Lieutenant J. W. Tweedie, Argyllshire and Sutherland Highlanders, Lieutenant J. C. Elworthy, R.N., A.D.C.’s, and Sir Cecil Day, Official Secretary. The Vice-Regal party was met at Parliament Buildings by Major-General W. L. H. Sinclair-Burgess, C. 8., C.M.G., D. 5.0., N.Z.S.C., General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Military Forces; Lieutenant-Commander W. H. Bremner, D. 5.0., D.S.C., R.N.; Captain C. Sinclair Thomson, R.N., A.D.C.; Colonel W. H. Cunningham, D. 5.0., V.D., A.D.C.; Colonel F. Symon, C.M.G., D. R.N.Z.A., A.D.C. to the King; Lieutenant-Colonel J. L. Saunders, D. 5.0., V.D.; Squadron-Leader T. M. Wilkes, M.C., N.Z.P-A.F. ; and Lieuten-ant-Colonel I. T. Standish, C.M.G., D. 5.0., R.N.Z.A The Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, under Lieutenant N. G. Daysh, provided the guard of honour, and as his Excellency stepped from his motor-car the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Band played the National Anthem. Before entering Parliament House, his Excellency inspected the guard of honour. Her Excellency was received by the Clerk of Parliaments, Mr. E. W. Kane, C.M.G., and conducted to her seat on the left of the dais in the Legislative Council. After her Excellency had entered the chamber she was presented with a bouquet by the Speaker of the Legislative Council, the Hon. Sir Walter Carncross- A bouquet was also presentd to Mrs. Forbes, wife of the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes. When he entered Parliament House, his Excellency was met by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, Mr. A. T. Bothamley, 1.5.0. After taking his seat on the dais his Excellency commanded Black Rod to summon the House of Representatives. A few minutes later members of the House filed into the Council Chamber, led by the DeputySpeaker, Mr. S. G. Smith. SPEAKER ABSENT (• Mr. S. G. Smith Officiates Owing to the death of his mother yesterday morning, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sir Charles Statham, did not attend the opening of Parliament yesterday, his duties being carried out by the Deputy-Speaker, Mr. S. G. Smith. v As soon as the House met in the afternoon, the clerk, Mr. T. D. H. Hail, announced that Mr. Speaker would not be able to take his place, and Mr. Smith took the chair. Upon the members of the Lower House being summoned to the Legislative Council, they were preceded by the Deputy-Speaker, who was accompanied by the new Sergeant-at-Arms, Lieut.-Oolonel S. G. Sandle, who has succeeded Major H. H. Browne, who recently retired. Following up the delivery of the Speech from the Throne in the Upper House, Mr. Smith presided at a short sitting of the House of Representatives. As Sir Charles Statham left for the south last evening to attend his mother’s funeral, it is likely that Mr. Smith will occupy the chair until early next week.

LABOUR PARTY MOVE Motion of No-confidence Following upon a caucus of the Labour Party yesterday morning, it was decided that the Opposition should move a vote of no-confidence as an amendment to the Address-in-Reply. The Address-in-Reply motion was moved when the House of Representatives met by Mr. J. N. Massey (Govt., Franklin), and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland, then moved for the addition of the following words: “In conclusion, we deem it our duty to represent to your Excellency that your Excellency’s advisors do not possess the confidence of this House, because: “(1) They have made the financial and industrial depression worse by their policy of deflation and reducing wages and salaries. “(2) They have failed to utilise the credit resources and currency facilities of the State to re-establish prosperity by restoring and increasing the purchasing power of the people as a whole “(3) They have failed hopelessly to grapple effectively with the unemployment situation, and have made the living and working conditions of the unemployed progressively worse. 1 “(4) They have precipitated and accentuated the marked and deplorable decline in prices, equity, and purchasing power, and, even when the evil results of deflation were only too evident, they failed to do anything to arrest that decline. “(5) They have failed to give consideration to proposals for dealing with the present financial position advancedJirom time to time by the Labour Party and others, including a State Central Bank, with complete control of banking, currency, and credit.”

FREEZING WORKERS Relief in the Off-Season Arrangements are being made by the Unemployment Board to give relief to freezing workers in necessity through seasonal occupation ending, according to a statement in the House yesterday by the Acting-Minister of Employment, Hon. A. Hamilton, in reply to a question by Mr. F. Jones (Lab., Dunedin South). Mr. Joues asked whether the Minister would remove the restrictions hampering the relief employment of seasonal workers, the majority of whom, he said, were destitute. They could not obtain relief from hospital boards, and the Unemployment Board denied them the right to work. It was true that freezing workers earned good wages in season, but In the off period they had to pay their debts and replenish their clothing, so that they had no chance of saving anything. The Minister said the board’s current Instructions enabled certifying officers to exercise their judgment, thus making it possible for them to give relief to seasonal workers in necessitous circumstances.

WIDOWS OF MINERS Pension Question Raised Although many pensions at present being drawn by miners’ widows will cease at the end of this month as the result of legislation passed last session limiting the period of these allowances to two y.jars after the death of the

husband, the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes,'gave an assurance in the House yesterday that individual consideration would be given to pensioners who would suffer through having their allowances stopped. Mr. A. M. Samuel (Govt., Thames) asked whether the Government would immediately pass legislation to restore the pensions of miners’ widows, as promised by the Minister of Public Works, Rt. Hou. J. G. Coates, when the National Expenditure Adjustment Bill was before Parliament last session. He said many widows were anxious in view of the fact that they had been advised by the Commissioner of Pensions that their allowances would cease at the end of this month, in spite of the promise made on the floor of the House. He added that the Prime Minister had promised in a letter that he would make a policy statement on the question before Parliament met. The Prime Minister said the question was under consideration and each case would be considered on its merits. “The Minister of Public Works made no such definite promise as suggested,” he added. Mr. Samuel: Absolute betrayal. EARTHQUAKE LOSSES Question in Parliament The plight of people at Gisborne and Wairoa as a result of last week’s earthquake was referred to in the House of Representatives by Mr. D. W. Coleman (Lab., Gisborne), in an urgent question he asked the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G, W. Forbes, yesterday afternoon. Mr. Coleman asked if the Government would give immediate consideration to the possibility of providing financial assistance for local authorities, business people, and farmers in the areas affected by the earthquake. The local bodies, he explained, were utterly unable to restore the public services, that had been shattered. Business people and farmers would be unable to carry on unless they were given help. Mr. Forbes replied that the question would receive the consideration of the Government when the report of the Engineer-ln-Chlef of the Public Works Department, Mr. F. W. Furkert, had been received. Mr. R. Semple (Lab., Wellington East): I thought he was still at Arapuni. ' . TARIFF ALTERATIONS “Workers’ Jobs in Jeopardy” Notice of his intention to ask the Prime Minister whether he would make an early statement upon proposals for the alteration of the tariff was given by Mr. C. H. Chapman (Lab., Wellington North), m the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. , “Many workers will remain unemployed, and the jobs of others will be in jeopardy while uncertainty exists,” said Mr. Chapman.