PARLIAMENT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 28 June 1928, Page 9

PARLIAMENT

THIRD SESSION OPENED GOVERNOR=GENERAL’S SPEECH THIRD PARTY RISKS. PROVISION FOR MOTORIST'S (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 2S. Parliament was opened this afternoon with the usual ceremonies. The Governor-General, Sir diaries Fcrgusson, in the opening speech said: — Honourable gentlemen of the Legislative Council and gentlemen of the House of Representatives: — It is with pleasure that I again meet you in Parliament assembled. My visits during the rec-ess to different parts of the Dominion which I had not visited before, have further convinced me of the lovalty of the people of this Dominion to the Crown, and I have much appreciated the warmth of the welcome that has been extended to me.

RENUNCIATION OF WAR. Since T last met you a most important step towards the peace and security of the world ha's been taken by the Government of the United States of America in their proposal for a multilateral treaty for the renunciation of war. The principal articles ot the proposed treaty are:— (lj The high contracting parties solemnly declare in the name of their respective peoples that they condemn recourse to war for the solution of international' controversies and renounce it as an instrument of national .policy in their relations with one another. (2) The high contracting parties agree that the settlement or solution of whatever nature or of whatever orig. in they niay be, which may arise amongst them shall never be sought except, by pacific means. An invitation to become an original paktv to the treatv has been extended to New Zealand by the United States through His Majesty’s Government in Great Britain. My Ministers have, in their reply, expressed their warm appreciation' of the invitation and their readiness, in co-operation with His Majesty’s Government in other parts of the’ British Empire, to associate themselves with the Government of the United States in this movement to add greater security to the peace of the world and to share in any negotiation's loading t’o the conclusion of the proposed treaty.

SAMOAN AFFATRS. T regret to s'ay that owing to the disaffection of a section of the population, the administration of the mandate over Western Samoa has caused some anxiety. As a result of the variout complaints and grievances alleged against the administration, it was oonsideiitd advisable last year to appoint a commission of inquiry, consisting of the Hon. ,Chief Justice of New Zealand (Sir Charles Skerrett) and Judge McCormick of the Native Land (Court, to visi t Sam oh and investigate the complaint's on the spot.. The result of a long and careful inquiry was to vindicate the Administration, but unfortunately the unrest has continued. Upon the expiration of Major General Sir Geo. Richardson’s term of office as Administrator, he was appointed ais .one of the representatives of New Zealand t» attend the Permanent Mandates Commission of the League of Nations. Colonel S. S. Allen, C.M.G., D. 5.0., .was appointed to succeed Sir George Ri'chaxds'on as Adm inis 1 raj or of the tonit'oryiand took up his duties in May last. The policy of the Administration is, and always 'has been, to exercise the utmost possible, patience consistent with the due observance of the law.

VISIT OF SECRETARY FOR DOMINIONS. A notable event during the year was the visit of the Rt. Hon. L. S. Amery, Secretary of State for the Dominions. His discussions ' with my Ministers on various matters of importance and hip personal contact with all sections of the: community gave his visit a special value. INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS. 'Hie National Industrial Conference which was set up to consider problems affecting labour and industry met during tlie recess. On some matters the conference came to a unanimous conclusion, and their recommendations are now receiving the careful consideration of mv Ministers. On other matters where unanimity was not reached the conference dealt with much information which had been carefully thought out and 1 prepared, and on which valuable discussions took place. Throughout all the proceedings there was a spirit of harmony and mutual forbearance, and it is clear that from this aspect alone the conference marks a; step’ forward in our industrial relationships. It is confidently hoped that the conference has laid tlie. foundation for friendly discussions in the future regarding the many. difficult problems that arise in our industrial life

It is a noteworthy fact, . and one which show® the good relations existing between employers and employees, that the period of‘ depression through which this country has recently passed, and from which it is now . happily emerging, has also been a period of industrial peace. The measures passed last session dealing with the agricultural colleges, together with the activities of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, already have been fruitful of results which "promise well for the lasting benefit of our primary and secondary industries, and several important co-operative research enterprises have been inaugurated. In this much assistance has been given by the Empire Marketing Board, as a. result of the visit of Mr. Amery. My Ministers feel that in the application of scientific methods to the cultivation of our land and to the raising and 1 treatment of stock there is a . practical means of increasing production which is so essential to the prosperity of this Dominion.

FARMERS’ FINANCE. The subject of farmers’ finance, which was given much consideration during the last two sessions, resulted in two measures which have been placed on the Statute Book, providing for long term mortgages and rural intermediate credits. These measures are now in working order, and it is anticipated that much benefit will accrue to the country by the facilities now given to the working fanner to obtain credit on reasonable terms and at a low rate of interest.

IMPROVED POSITION OF DOMINION. Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of til© House of Representatives,— I am pleased to be able to refer to the satisfactory change during the last 12 months in the economic and trade position of the Dominion. Aided! by a good s«a.son and better prices, both the volume and 1 value, of onr exportable products show a satisfactory increase. Those factors, together with the opening up of new markets, make ft lie outlook for the future distinctly promising, and should do much to remove the causes of unemployment, which, unfortunately, have been much in evidence during the depression of the last two years. FINANCIAL MATTERS.

The operations of the public finances for the year ended March last gave a surplus of £179,077 of revenue over expenditure. The estimates: for the present year are being subjected to the olosest scrutiny, with a view to continued economy and control over administrative expenditure l . For the purpose of promoting the policy of development an connection with public works, railways and hydroelectric power, a loan amounting to £5,000,000 was issued in London during May, Tints issue wa® at 4J per cent., discounted! at £94 4s, and its successful flotation marked a notable break in interest rates, thus indiearing, 1 am pleased to say, improved financial and trade prospects adjecting the Empire generally. Along with this issue for new money a conversion offer was made up to £500,000 of the New Zeal,and consolidated stock of £29.000,000 maturing in November, 1927, the holders to receive £lO4 10s of the new 44 per cent stock in exchange for their 4 per cent, holdings. The amount offered was immediately taken up. TARIFF PREFERENCE.

The re vision of the tariff "last year rendered material assistance to New Zealand industries and the increased preference granted to British manufacturers has been well received in Great Britain. As a. further evidence of New Zealand’s desire to assist Empire trade, concessions amounting to many thousands of pounds were made in the duty on articles in every-day use by the oommunitv. During the recess the Australian Minister of Customs, the Hon. Mr Pratten, visited the Dominion for the purpose of discussing trade and tariff relations between the Commonwealth and the Dominion. • Although the discussions which took place were not fruitful of any immediate result, it is believed that a better understanding has been reached on various administrative difficulties that had arisen from time to time. It was with deep regret that the people of New Zealand, isairnt of the sudden death of Mr Pratten shortly after his return to Australia. Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council andi Gentlemen of the House of Representatives :

Much consideration ha® been given to the provision on. a, contributory and universal 1 basis of pensions for old age and widowhood, and of insurance against sickness and! invalidity. In ord'er to give reasonable benefits under any such scheme, which would! necessarily he compulsory, and assuming that the financial liability would be borne by the State, employers and employees in equal proportions, it is estimated that the annual charge on the State would be not less than £325,000, leaving twice that amount toj be borne by the employers and employees. This liability to the State would be in addition to' the gross, sum of £1,314,641 now expended annually for old age and widows’ pensions,' which latter payment would have to continue for many years to come. Although it is recognised that the principle of such scheme is sound, and would remove many anomalies in/ pur present pensions law, my Ministers hesitate, in view of the stress under which many industries have been carrying on, the prevailing unemployment, and the economic conditions generally, to impose the additional burden. Apart from its financial aspect, it has also to be considered whether the conditions that led up to the establishment of the system® now operating in certain closely populated and industrially developed countries exist in New Zealand to the extent that would warrant the initiation of a similar system here. Consideration must also be given to the effect of such a scheme on the existing voluntary organisations such as the National Provident Fund, the friendly societies, the hospital and medical! services, and other institutions which are already in existence in this country and deal) with different phases of the problem. While welcoming any discussion on the subject, my Ministers have come to the conclusion that all the different points involved require mature consideration, andi an opportunity should be afforded for the examination of the information collected by a commission in Australia, which has been sitting for the last three years and which has recently made its report.

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS. It is proposed this session, to amend the British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Act, 1923, by adopting part two. of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914. This mil bring the Dominion of New Zealand into line with all other countries of the British Empire which hare now adopted part two of the Imperial Act. The effect of this adoption will be that any one upon whom British nationality has been confererd in any part of the British Empire will become a. British, subject in every part of the Empire, and consequently anyone whom New Zealand admits to the status of British nationality can claim that status in any other part of the Empire. The Acts .relating to. public reserves and domains, .rabbit nuisance, divorce, and auctioneers have been compiled and reconstructed, and these measures will be put before you for consideration. Consolidation of the Acts relating to magistrate’s courts, education reserves, post and telegraph, inspection of machinery, noxious weeds, public works, kauri gum, orchard and garden diseases, have been prepared andi will be submitted to you. Under our existing law provision is made for local authorities acquiring charges oil land for payment of various services performed by them. The existence of these charges has caused difficulty to people dealing with land, and a measure will be introduced providing for the registration of all such charges. The report on mental deficiency and its treatment furnished by the In-spector-General of Mental Hospitals has been considered and remedial legislation will be submitted for your consideration.

In view of the large increase of motor traffic and the number of accidents which have occurred oil the road, it has been considered by my Ministers desirable that all those who own cars should at the same time a®, they pay their annual registration and license fees, pay an additional sum sufficient to provide ail insurance against what is known as the third party_ risk. The details and working of this proposal will be set out in the Bill which will be dulty.submitted to you. Bills will also be submitted to you dealing with municipal corporations,