PARLIAMENT OPENS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LII, Issue 4578, 12 March 1931, Page 3

PARLIAMENT OPENS.

i GOVFJRNOR-GENERAL'S I SPEECH. ! I LABOUR MOVES NO-CONFI- < DENCE MOTION. 1 < The special session of Parliament pas opened yesterday by His Ex- | ■ellencv the Governor-General, | l,ord Bledisloe. Notice of his intention to move he Address-in-Reply was Riven by : dr. A. E. Jull, United member for | Vaipawa, and Mr. Holland was 1 ini-die to announce his amendment l o the effect that “his Excellency’s t idvisers do not possess the eonfi- j lenee of the House or of the j •ountry.” 1 Actual business was reduced to a h ninimum yesterday, and although I ( here was a large number of pet-i- , ions - presented and notices of juestions viven, the Prime Minister i nformed members that the House i vould not be given the chance to j leal with such matters, but that its ictivities would be confined to the | special questions with which it had < ieen summoned to deal. Mr. H. G. ; ?. Mason, Labour member for j Auckland Suburbs, gave notice to ] ntroduce five Bills, and Mr. H. T. p Armstrong, Labour member for ; Christchurch East, one. These, I lowever, will not be reached. No ommittees are to be set up this ] ession so that the course to be fol- p owed will be well defined. After tributes had been paid to ■ he work of members of the Legis- ; at-ure whose deaths had occurred 1 ;inee last session, the House aclourned until this afternoon, when i he Address-in-Reply will be moved ; tnd seconded and the debate coninued. There is every likelihood , hat a sitting will he taken on Sat- ; H'day as well as Monday, two days I in which the House does not usually meet. Mr. Taite Te Tomo, the new Reform member for Western Maori, j took his seat for the first time yesterday, and he was sworn in as soon us the House met. GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S SPEECH. Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of j (he House of Representatives:— It affords me much pleasure to meet you again in Parliament assembled. On the advice of my Ministers I have convened this special session in order that your earnest consideration may be given to matters of urgent national importance arising out of the present economic situation as it affects this Dominion. Since I last- had the opportunity of addressing you the external markets for our products have ox perieneed a world-wide depression and the values of our wool, frozen meat, dairy produce and other primary products, upon which our national prosperity preponderantly depends, have, after continuous depreciation over a considerable period, reached so low a level as materially to affect directly or indirectly the economic well-being of all sections of the community. Here, as in other countries, the depression of trade and industry has inevitably increased unemployment, although the measures adopted by my Government in co-opera-tion with local authorities have afforded substantial relief. The s ilut'on of this pressing problem continues to receive their anxious and sympathetic consideration. Notwithstanding the exercise of strict cave and economy in expenditure, the public accounts of the Dominion seem likely to show a deficit for the current financial year, a deficit which my advisers consider will bo largely increased during the subsequent financial year unless, with your authority, remedial mea - sures are promptly undertaken. Faced with the prospect of a falling revenue and the possible continuance of relatively low export values for our primary products, my Ministers desire to stress the urgent necessity for rigid economy in all public and private undertakings. Although by no means pessimistic legal ding the future of New Zealand, in view of its exceptional natural advantages and the characteristic energy and determination of its people, my Ministers are convinced that the difficulties now confronting the Dominion can only be effectually overcome by considerable sacrifices on the part of all sections of the population. Past experience has shown that where such sacrifices are rendered imperative in the interests of national welfare, the people of this country have responded patriotically to the call. Mv advisers are strongly of the opinion that a spirit of co-op-eration and mutual sympathy will prove a potent factor in enabling the Dominion to overcome the temporary cheek in its prosperity. ' THE HAWKE’S BAY DISASTER. It is with the deepest regret that I refer to the disastrous earthquake which recently occurred in Napier and Hastings and the surrounding district, causing serious loss of life, physical injury and widespread destruction of property. I desire to associate myself with you and all our people throughout the Dominion "m expressing our heartfelt sympathy with those who have beer bereaved or injured by this disastei or who have suffered thereby material loss. You will be asked t< consider the best means of solvin' certain urgent problems which havi arisen in connection with the de vastated area and its population. Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen o the House of Representatives The grave economic crisis whicl this country, in common with mos other countries of the world, • called upon to face has occasionei financial difficulties for our farm

ers, a widespread re.-l rietion of trade and considerable stringency in national finance involving, unless prompt action he taken, a. heavy Budgetary shortage in the forthcoming financial year. The difficulties of .the present: situation have also been accentuated by the catastrophe in Hawke’s Bay. You will be asked to consider forthwith measures for dealing with this problem. PROPOSED LEGISLATION. Proposals will be placed before you for effecting an alteration in (he rate of remuneration of the Public Service, for amending the law which governs the powers of the Arbitration Court, for providing for certain increases in taxation and for the establishment of a hoard to administer the railways, as well as other proposals designed to assist, in surmounting the difficulties of the present situation. Legislative measures rendered necessary by the recent earthquake will also be submitted for your consideration. No additional provision for supply will be necessary during this special session of Parliament, hut you will be furnished with information relating to the finances of the Dominion for the first eleven ’months of the current financial v ear. EMPIRE AFFAIR'S. Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatvies:— At the Imperial Conference which took place in London last year the Dominion was represented by my Prime Minister and my At-torney-General. You will have an opportunity of discussing the trans ■ actions of that conference on papers to be laid before you during your ordinary session later in the year. During this special session my Ministers do not propose to submit for your consideration any legislation other than that of an urgent character. I earnestly pray that Divine ProI violence may guide your deliberations to the lasting benefit of this country and all classes of its peonle.