OPENINC OF PARLIAMENT.

Grey River Argus, 26 June 1914, Page 7

OPENINC OF PARLIAMENT.

— ♦ SPEECH FROM THE THRONE 1 ________________ • SETTLERS PROSPEROUS— INDUSTRIES FLOURISHING J EXPORTS AND IMPORTS A RECORD MEASURES FOR GONS'DERATION ENUMERATED REFORM OF UPPER HOUSE CERTAIN

lON GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. SENTATIVES INTRODUCTION, fi is with sincere pleasure that I again meet you in Parl'ament assembed. During the recess I have visited many parts ot "tne Dominion, and have noticed with pleasure- the general contentment \vh"ich obtains amongst all classes. The settlers engaged in pastoral and agricultural pursuits are prospering and industries, are flourish ing, and the condit'ons of labour which exist in the Dominion are in the main sufficient to provide reasonable comfort and happiness for the prudent worker. It is gratifying to- be able to congratulate you once more upon the rcmaikabie prosperity of the coun try trade as evidenced by the Customs returns has been unexampled OUR EXPORTS. The value of the exports from our shores has reached an unprecedented height and the imports represent in moneys woith an amount never before equalled. On every- hand there are sig-ns of advancement of settlement of the land is progressing rapidly ,de velopment is proceeding apace and the Dominion is steadily becom ing a coun try in which the small holder predominates. The ; ntercourse which I have onjbyed with the rfeople has served to confirm my confidence m their lo\\ilt\ to the -Throne and devotion to our most-gracioub Sovereign* THE ROYAL* BEREAVEMENT. Tt *'s fitting that I should mention the loss sustained by Her Royal Highness the Pr-mcess Louise, in the death of her husband, His Giace The Duke of Argjll. 1 cabled the condolences of mv government and the people of New Zealand, and they have been duly acknowledged •t , VISIT TO COOK I have rccentlv vis.tod the Islands of the 'Ccok Group which form part of the Dominion of New Zealand, and was accompanied by the Hon. Dr. Pomare, The Minister '-n charge of t the Admmistiation of he" tslaffds. lam gatisfied the information obtained during my visit will enable my ministers to improve the condition of these poss ess ons of the Donrniap- The_ measures to be proposed to you by* my' government in relation to education were explained and were received with ffrcat satisfaction bj the natives \ throughout the Islands My ministers recognise the responsibility wh eh the Government" of the Dominion has > assumed in regard to the 'Islands, and have had under their consideration the legislation which has been enjoyed in past years. They propose to submit to you a measure by whxh those laws will be recast^ revjse'd and consolidate/v, REGARDING SMALLPOX EPIDEMIC It :s with s.it'sfact on that I am able to announce that the smallpox epidem'c wlrch broj\e out in this Dominion last year has teen coped with sue cessfullv. Every effort is being made to prevent the reoccurrance of this disease. TRADE WITH AMERICA. The San 'Francisco Mail Service eon tract which teimmated m March" last, has been' renewed for a period of five years from the ist April, 1914Provision has been made for a con siderible reduction in the rate of freight, of butter to AriVr can by both the Vancouver and the San Francisro routes, and to meet the expected m creased demand for space. Two larger steamers of improved design are to be placed in the service from tne 31st December, 1915WIRELESS STATIONS. Dur ny the past \ ear three new wire less telegraph- stations have been established. 1 wo' higher power stations at Awa*nui ana Awarua, and a low power station at the Chatham Islands. LAND LEGISLATION Under 1 the land legislation of the last two sessions full effe^i is being' given to the intention of Parliament. Tenants of Crown and Settlement land have been enabed to acquire the fee simp ] G of their holdings. The subdivision of privately owned estates is -proceeding rapidly. The tenures of land (including land! within mining districts) hajjfi been improved- Pastoral tenants have been granted right to elect between accept'ng full valuatiqn for improvements at termination of existing licenses and a new license over the whole or part of their runs at a revised rental, and in all 1 ' parfs A of countn closer set'lem.'nt has been promoted. Legislation authorising the constitution of - sppciaj road -4&strcts providing a<? "t does for the,expenditure of moneys received from the lands upon tho constutclion of loads

and bridg-es is much appreciated and will be of great value .to settlers living in remote and isolated parts of the country. The Crown lands of the Dominion, which still remain unoccu--pied aie being surveyed and opened tor selection as expeditiously as circumstances permit. INCREASE TN REVENUE During >the last financial year there has been a gratifying increase in the revenue derived from Crown lands and land for settlements estates. The amount recuved having exceeded all, prcvous records. THE HAND OF DEATH. I deeply regret fhat*since I last met \ou the Dominion lias lost through death the valuable sei vices of Sir William Russell, a member of the legis lative council and Mr._Geo Laurenson, MP,~for Uttelton / . REFERENCE TO THE STRIKE The clobing- month's of the year 1913 were marked by *m industrial strug-gle which" senouslv menaced the trade probpepty of tht country. .At the commencement of the trouble scenes of violence weie frequently witnessed and breaches of law were? a daily occurrence, but thanks to the efficiency of the permanent police and to the admirable public Spirit "displayed by the citizens of the Dominion, who proffered their services as foot and mounted special constables, peace and order wen- speed iy lestoied. The produce ot the country was shipped without undue K delay t^jjhe markets of the world,* an<^ a st£ * te of industrial quiet reestablishedcost i)F living"' 1?»ob£em; Tne pioblem of cost of liv-ng" has engaged the attention of my advisers during' the recess aiMi^teitain propo salb relating to th/S? question will be placed befoic you foi consideration. TJIL MONEY MARKETS. When I last mci you*<the conditions ot the principal money markets of the world made k difficult to obtain financial assistance for putuic works and other services- T ani— pleased to be able to ariubunce that last financial year circumstances 'combined to malce money jsore plentiful and my advisers >Vv.re able to, procure at reasonable rates sums 'of money sufficient to meet general requirements of the Dom morij besides, for the 1 exemption, renewal and conversion of maturing loans raised in past years. t ' J , JUAIN TRUNK LINE. x Ttie completion of the Main Tiunk Lne betweon Wellington and Auckland has tended to opeij up large areas of Native and Crown lands that were 1 lying- unproductive, but to-day the settlers upon these, and other lands m the Dominion through want of/adequate roads and railways are working under disadvantageous conditions. My advisers are of opinion that no policy of land settlement s sound which does not include a progressive system for rapid construction, and propose to submit for your eohsideration a measure wh*ch make,s provision for creation of satisfactory means of communication m isolated and badly roaded districts further the remarkable g/owth of settlement and rap-d expansion, of' business of country during recent years have convinced mv Ministers of the necessity for a strong ancl vigorous policy of pubile works construction and speedy completion of more important lineb of railway nw ji progress. The Tonganro National Park which lies half way between.'Wellingtpn ( and Auckaiid compr-.5ing' 62.300 acres* and containing within \U> boundanes > in terestmg mountain scenery and others natural _ attractions, , can \\|ii:h very little expenditure be made 'one of the most popular holiday resorts m the, Domin.on. In or-der that the object may be achieved it is intended to so «alter the constitution of the "present , board as to piovide for the' inclusion of persons specially interested, -in the conservation^ of natuial beauties of N.Z. % MR. , SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF "THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:— The Estimates foi the year have been framed with due regard to econ omy, consistent with efficiency, and will be 'duly laiH befoie you notwithstanding the non-inclusion of the proceeds of and sales and the loss 1 of railway income consequent on . dislocation. | of industries by the strike and the-| smallpox ep.dcm.ic. The Public Rer | venue for the past financial -year has ! shown a . substantial increase." Full infor-matic-n regarding the recent loan •transactions jvvtll ibe- placed before you. *ahe e'vet ina^asingMlemaad' on the (.part 1 of ,the public for .treatment :ai our general hospitals will entail additional -oxp-enditure upon buildings for the rtefgep'tirfp pp/ patients and for thex ma- ntenance* (jf^ patients admitted lOv ihosc mstHu'ttoiis.^ It has been tc-

tern upon which subsidies have been j pa d and giants from public funds 1 have been made to local bodies for development purposes is objectionable unbusinesslike and uneconomical A ,Bill Wull be introduced containing which it is hoped will 'ensure a fa^ier apportionment and a care ful expenditure of these public moneys. ' > HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND" GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE' OF REPRESENTATIVES :— A Bill providing for the election of members of the Legislat.ve Council by the system of proportional representation large electoral divisions was introduced Jn the Legistative Council in the second session of the year 1912; but was then postponed by tfie council for consideration in the following year m the same session the House of Representatives passed a resolution affirm mg theT'neccssity fot reform ot the constitution in the direct.on pioposed by that Bill in the session ol 1913. Another 8..11 to the same cfteet' modi fied m some of its provisions' was in tioduced in the Legislative Council, but failed to obtain the approval of the Council, The Bill of 1913 will aga.n ,be introduced during the year in the legislative Council. At the commencement ot the session^-of 19 13 *he Legislative Coune 1 consisted ot forty-two membeis On the lit July 1914^ if no new appointments were now made, the number of members of \the Council woujd be 1 educed by the effluxion of the' terms of appointment and by death to 28 of whom seven hold appointments for life It is therefore found necessary 10 make further present appointments, "not only foi * the "purpose ot passing into law the Bill reforming the constitution of the Council^ *but also for due considera . tion of all legislat on submitted to both Houses of ' Parliament. Inasmuch as the proposed change in the constitution has been proposed by the Legis lative Counc i under ) the session immediately preceding a general election my advisers, following the consitut.onal precedeat of the Act by which abolition of the provinces wa*s effected in the year 1875, now propose that the Legislative Council Act shall 1 " become jkiw during the present session, but that its con men cement shall be postponed until alter session of Parliament to' be held in the year 1915 / • - LAND DEFENCE During tKe past the training of the land JoiCL'i if^4he Dominion has made progrers At the invitat'on of the Government. Gene ral Sir lan Hamilton^ Inspector General of Overseas Forces, recently visned "the Dominion, ' and inspected every unit of the citizen army and eveiy cadet compam The units of the field *forces ,weie assembled for their annual' training. His inspection in five camps' enabled him to observe the organisation, of the troops, the gum cation -of _th.c higher commanders, ar^ the staffs .and practice of the three arms in the\ field operations. The conduct of 'the men of the citizen army at territorial camps, and- of cadets at the cadet concentrations and durfrng tHe journeys by Tail and sea to and from the places of assembly was as a rule exemplary. The reason was late, the weather was generally unfavourable, yet notwithstanding these disadvantageous conditions, the spirit of the troops and the cadets was all that could be desired, and afforded a valuable testimony to the benefits of the training. assembling- of the units of the territorial forces in camp, < and all the camp campanies for inspection \af the made b% demands on the organisation and administrative machinery of the defence and railway departments, and it was only t owing to the zeal and energy and 1 unceasing hard work of those responsible for the. district and local arrangements that it was rendered possJbk: The valuable criticisms and suggestions which in?pector Genera] Sir lan HanUtqn jnact", and'^he advice which he tenderer- are receiving the considera tion of the Government., DEFENCE OF THE PACIFIC. , The of the Pacific, a problem of /j'.eat difficulty, has engrossed ths attlat'.on of x iny advisers during the rerr-ss, and in accordance with any 1 ciecision communicated to- you during your last session of Parliament, Capt. Hsll-Thompsca has been appointed to act as adviser to the Government on naval 'matters, and to command the t^aining/j skip Jent..by the Admiralty. It :'s pvobable that during the forthcoming y,ear a conference on naval affairs, to which the .Government of New Zealancl ' has .liread 1 /" been invited to send v epresentatives will be convened by the Imperial Government. GEN ERAIT MANAGER OF RAILWAYS. Seven* months ago the present genetr (Continued on next page).

ral manager of the Dominicyi Railways commenced new- pities. Ilei.ljay since been engaged inspecting. th» various ialwa\s system, and its workings- Iri the comprehensive report upon this laigc State undertaking, which, the general manager is, preparing, he is making 1 ecomrnendations • which, if given effect to, will make the railways of the country more valuable to the commercial community, and more attractive to the travelling public. To ;carry-into effect the important works which mu^t be undeitaken, to ensure the prbper and safe working of the railways of the Dominion proposal* wMI be submitted for consideration. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. In accordance with the legislation of last session, a Board of Agriculture has been constituted, and has com: menccd its duties. The Board consists of practical and experienced agTi culturists, and it .js confidently expec- | ted that by its interest and advice the agricultural industry will be greatly benefited. WORKER'S HOMES. The system of workers homes shall Jn all such case* be regulated accord-' ing to the equality or producing capacity, the object *f my advisors being to give ns many workers as possible oppoitunity <if owning their own homes ar reasonable prices, and on easy term w»th land sui rounding each home appropriate to locality in which U \s situated, EDUCATION. SYSTEM. The state of the education system of Dominion has been closely- investi--1 gated by a Parliamentary Committee and by members of a commission, and as a result -of; ■■their deliberations my advisors ■'■'have decided to lay before you a bill which whjle improving the conditions "of the employment of teach ers, aims also at effecting a general advance in the methods of .education. I 1 INFANTTLE MORTALITY. | The decreast j£ infantile mortality, in New ySealan''! is more gratifying, and fully justifies fr he Assistance "being afforded b.y the Government to the Society for the Health of Women and (Children in its efforts to desseminate. by !t 3 - literature, by training- of nurs.es and midwives, a wider knowledge of all that pertains to the successful rear ing of infants. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENAkY PARTY. * The visit of of member^ of the Imperial Parliament to New v Zed; land during your last session was welcomed by. myself and my advisors. As evidencing the general desire in which I am well assured, you won for closer association of "the parliaments of the Empire, my ministers were enabled to confer with Lord Emmett, Urder Secretary of State for the Colonies, who was chairman of the party of visi tors upon several questions which are oi interest to both Governments. MEDICAL CONGRESS. Early this year New Zea^ind welcom ed~ at " Auckland the tenth session of Australasian /Medical Congress. My advisors are giving earnest consider, 0 tion to conclusions .arrived at -by the Congress. BRITISH ASSOCIATION. ' During the present year the British Association will hold its meeting in Australia. It has been ararnged that some of the distinguished scientific gentlem'eV attending the meeting shall afterwards' visit New Zealand and deliver addresses on their special subjects.

Manama Exposition. During the next the g"reat exhibition wil K be held at San ' Francisco and- the Dominitori has b&en invited by the Ulster States to- take part iri their national event by ministers have made arrangements for th,e -proper representation of New Zealand, and ther is reason to believe that this county Well, as a result "reap substantial com. . rnercial advantagegONTROVERSIAL QUESTIONS. ' During- the recess ronsideiable discussion has- taken place upon two subjects in Tespect of whx:h it is appailcnt public opinion is largely 'divided. Firstly, there are the amendments of the licensing laws and sec ondly the request that definte questions relating *o Bible reading in schools shall be submitted to the elec lois by referendum the ensuing«,g-en-era election. You will have an opportunity dm ing tha -present session of at a conclusion upon both issues. , . • . OTHER MEASURES. Measures relating- to the following further subjects have been prepared and will, be placed before you for consideration* Inspection of Machinery, masters and apprentices, motor regulation and license^ iron and steel industry ? inscription of loans, fire brigades, la\\( of libel, local authorities, local elections rating, land laws," contractors workman's liens,' public service superannuation. N.Z. . University^ Vidtoiia College Council, and other matters. ''l' commend all the matters to* 'which I % have referred to your .canef ul consideration, and I trust that under Divine Providence your efforts to promote the happiness and well being of the people of New Zealand 1 may be successful, 1