THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVI, Issue LVI, 11 June 1909, Page 7

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH

DELIVERED IN PARLIAMENT.

WELLINGTON, June 10. Addressing Parliament, His Excellency, Lord Plunket, said:— ."Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Cou-ncil and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives* —

"It is with much pleasure I meet you again in Parliament assembled to state to you the causes for which you have been summoned. I em entitled to assume that you have followed with close and deep interest the statements of His Majesty's Ministers in England as to the present strength and fighting ■efficiency of the British Navy, and more particularly as to the extensive changes in and to that navy, found to be necessary to enable the Empire to maintain its prrcrtnessj if not its existence in case of war. The gravity of the outlook upon the ropid , growth of foreign naval armaments las impressed itself upon the statesman of the Untted Kingdom, and His Majesty's Ministers there have outlinpd the naval programme which tl'-y deem essential to enable' Great T>r''aJn to retain her supremacy on the seas. You have doubtless se^'-irs-? reflected upon the heavy bidden wlrch the maintenance of the Bvvi ; sh Navy already imposed upon the United Kingdom, and of the great additions which w?'l be made to this burden by the new programme. It is quite unnecessary to remind you_ how vitally we in this Dominion are interested ;n the strength and efficiency of that nn^y, or of cur obligations to Great Britain for the protection now and always aflVded to our lives and liberties, and our property, trade and commerce, by he* fleets. My^ advisers, recognising not ouV the gravity of the situation 'n which the rcpid growth of foreign naval a,rmaments has placed our \ Country, but also the great power of the burden upon her naoTjls which the maintenance and strengthening of her navy involves, derided that, subject to ratification Jby Parliament, this Dominion should give a prompt and substantial proof both of its loyalty and its duty to the Empire by the offer of a first-class battleship of the Dreadnought type. This J o9Vr h°s been .accepted by His MaiosiVs Home Government, and to make the a;ift effective you will be asked to r-iK."'" ib. Since this offer was made i His Majesty's self-governing oversea, dominions have all evinced their loyal desire to see the Imperial Navy so strong as to secure that supremacy of the seas upon which the Empire lias risen to its present greatness, and upon which that greatness now depends. In these circumstances His Majesty'? Home Government has called to a 'Conference, to be held in London in the last week in July next, representatives of all the self-governing dominions with a view to concerted and united action being taken throughout the Empire for naval supremacy and naval defence. The importance of this Conference, not only to the United Kingdom itself, but, to all His Majesty's dominions, has been recognised .by the readiness with which each selfgoverning State has agreed to send representatives. The Prime Minister of New Zealand will attend this . Conference, as my advisers deem it expedient not only in view of the importance of the Conference to this Dominion ami to the nation, but also in view of the new part this country has assumed in Imperial defence by its offer of a Dreadnought, that New Zealand should be represented at the Conference by its Prime Minister. To enable the Prime Minister^ to be present in London for the opening of the Conference he must leave New Zealand in a short time, and cannot return • before the end of September next. This being .the first session of a. new Parliament, my advisers deem it nrcefwrv that while the session lasts the Prime Minister should be in his place here to carry on his important duties, and to introduce, explain., and if necessary defend. | the policy of the Government, and therefore to enable him to attend the Conference an parly prorogation of Parliament is essential. Hon. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, —

In accordance with the usual custom Parliament would in the ordinary course of events have hpen summoned for the last week of this month, and as you are aware supplies have been

voted to the thirtieth day of June instant. In view of the circumstances, and the course I have already referred to, proposals for an extension of the appropriation to a suitable date will be submitted for your consideration. A statement showing approximately the financial position of the Dominion will be placed before you, and legislative authority asked to raise a sum of money required "kr carry on certain public works. Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, —

It is not considered necessary by my advisers that any measures should be brought before you, except ths financial proposals already indicated by me as necessary to give effect to what my advisers deem the wish of the people of New Zealand that this Dominion should be represented at the Impeilal Conference" by its Prime Minister. I trust that his attendance with that of the Ministers of the Crown from the other self-governing oversea dominions will result in a great and permanent scheme of Imperial naval defence, a scheme which, by involving a closer partnership between us and the Mother Country, will draw us to b^r nearsr still and will express our kinship in the tangible and visible evidences of the part we take in the defence of the Empire, and wfll above all with the blessing of God make for the permanent peace of the world.