PARLIAMENT

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 3278, 28 June 1917, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S

SPEECH

(By Telegraph.) Wellington, J uno 28. Parliament was opened this afternoon by the Governor-General, tho Earl of Liverpool, who nho read the following

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE. Honourable Gentlemen of tho Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the Houso of Representatives —

It is with pleasure I again meet you in Parliament assembled. In recognition of the services rendered by New Zealand since tho outbreak oi the war, and to mark the status of the Dominion, a signal instance of Royal favour has bcon recently extended in tho bestowal by His Majesty tho" King of tho dignity and title of Governor-General upon myself.

I regret to say that death has removed ono of my Advisers, tho late Hon. Dr. Robert McNab. who held the portfolio of Justice, Marine, and Stamps. During the recess tho course of the Great War has been definitely .in favour of the Empire and its Allies. The Imperial Navy, true to its past history, is mooting the now and difficult conditions as they arise with courage, resource, and success. It is especially gratifying to note that the transport of our regular reinforcements has proceeded without interruption and happily without loss. The Imperial troops havo exercised constant pressure on our enemies, driving them from many elaboratelyprepared positions. Bagdad, the old highway from West to East, is in the possession'of the British and Indian troops. This makes it possible, in settling terms of peace, to prevent developments on the part of our enemies designed to disturb our peace in the future. , , . , , Tho land forces of His Majesty's Dominions Beyond the Seas have been honoured with important tasks on several battlefields, and they have invariably proved that the quality of their courage, endurance, and discipline fitted them to fight beside their gnlln.nt comrades of tho British Regular Army. Tbe battle of the Somme, the capture of Bapoumo, Vimy Ridge. Rafa (Palestine), and tho, tocent storming of the German lines at Messines and Wytschacte, in which the troops of tho various dominions took so largo a part, give - assurance that whatever further . tasks may bo allotted they* will not fail. All' New Zealand has been stirred by the story of tho capture of Messines by the brave men who have left our own shores.

In the early part of tho present year, Germany adopted a policy of unrestricted "and indiscriminate submarine warfare. The • development has failed in its principal object of reducing Great Britain and France to largo addition to the number of German submarines has . increased the submission by starvation ; but the danger' to shipping, and the number of losses, with the result that the Imperial Government has found it necessary to requisition for Imperial necessities ships formerly exclusively engaged in the carriage of produce 'from' the dominions to the Mother Country. The consequent reduction of the ordinary facilities for the export of N ew Zealand produce, espeoialy frozen meat, wool, butter, and cheese, has occasioned inconvenience and anxiety, and has been the subject of constant communications between my Ministers and the Imperial Government. It is impossible tq forcast the tonnage which will be available for New Zealand exports, but there ig reason to hope that the position may prove more satisfactory than was at one time anticipated.

In common with every other part of the great British Empire we are deeply impressed by and grateful for tlio determination of the great Eng-lish-speaking people of the West to assist the cause of freedom and right. It would be diffioutt to measure the material, financial, and moral support which the United States has already provided and will provide in the future.

The administration of the occupied Samoan Islands has been efficiently carried out, and there is every reason to believe that the native population i s happy under British control, and lias no desire to revert to the condition which prevailed prior to tlie occupation by New Zealand troops. I have recently informed my Ministers Ihat the Secretary of State for the Colonic* has assured me that the Imperial Government fully realise the vital" importance to this Dominion of tse destiny of the German colonies in tho Pacific ,and that when the lime eomos for decision the fullest concidoration will bo given to the wishes of tho New Zealand Government. Voluntary recruiting has continued with considerable success, but since hist November has been insufficient in itself to provide the reinforcements required, and it therefore became necessary to bring the Military. Service Act into operation. 1 foci sure that the patriotic services of they Efficiency Board are fully appreciated by tho people of this Dominion. Tho attendance of my Prune Ministor and the Minister of Finance at the Imperial Conference has enabled them to obtain information of valuo to my Government and to this Dominion. I have been glad within the last two days to welcome home my two Ministers and their faiiidies, and am confident you will hud the course of your deliberations simplified and facilitated by the ' experience they have gained, not only in Great iintain, but at the seat of war at the AVestern Front. You will had in tho public accounts of the past year and the estimates tor tho present year proof that economy has been and is being exercised in every Department of State. Ihe wai expenses must of necessity increase, but this increased expenditure is. essential to give effect to the determination that New Zealand shall, bear hoi full part until victory is gamed, lithe present session you AVjll be asked to determine what part ot these expenses shall he met by loan raised within the Dominion. The existence of a National Government prohibits the inclusion >m tlie programme of legislation to be proposed to you by my Ministers ot any measures other than such as are necessary to enable our country to carry out its obligations to assist in bringing the war to an early and successful conclusion. You will, therefore, he invited to devote your attention to legislation' dealing with the present emergencies of the Dominion anel of the Empire as a whole, and the provision of means to meet our financial i obligations. I trust that Divine Providence may guide your deliberations to the advantage of onr Sovereign, of his Empire; and of this Dominion.