TWENTY-THIRD PARLIAMENT OPENED

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6947, 28 June 1929, Page 8

TWENTY-THIRD PARLIAMENT OPENED

Comprehensive Speech From Throne

Members Inquire Early of Earthquake Reliet

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. The second session of the twenty-third Parliament of New Zealand was opened at 2.30 o'clock this afternoon by His Excellency the Governor-General (General Sir Charles Fergusson, Bart, G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D. 5.0., M.V.0.). The weather was overcast. There was a large assemblage of the public in the Parliamentary grounds. The galleries in the Legislative Council Chamber, where the chief ceremony took place, were crowded with a brilliant gathering.

When the members of the House of Itepr esentatives had been summoned, the leader of the Legislative Council (the Hon. T. K. Sidey) then handed ■the Speech to His Excellency. His Excellency said, inter alia:— Speech Prom the Throne. Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— It is in a spirit of thankfulness that I am able to record the satisfactory'recovery of the King from the serious illness from which His Majesty suffered throughout a long and anxious period. The citizens of tho Dominion shared with the rest of the Empire—and, indeed, with other nations —in the

the public works of the country a very large number of men in excess of those who would be engaged in such work in normal times. Glose attention is being devoted to pushing on to completion the various hydro-electric works now in progress in the Dominion. My Ministers fully appreciate the importance of encouraging trade within the Empire, and it is their intention to see that preference to British manufactures is maintained and the slogan of “Buy British Goods" adhered to, wherever possible. It is proposed to appoint a Trade Representative to Canada in the near future. Tho question of providing tor a more regular steamship service between South Island ports and Australia lias been receiving tho earnest consideration of the Government, and it has been decided to invite tenders for a suitable service. Trade and Finance.

feelings of pleasure and relief at His Majesty’s return to good health. In December next, I shall have completed a term of five years in office, and I have received His Majesty’s permission to leave the Dominion on February 1, next year. I It is with great regret that Her Ex- . eeUency and I see the time of our departure drawing near after these years of great interest and unalloyed happi- . ness. From one and all we have receiv- : ed nothing but kindness and considcra- ' taon, and the friendly and generous . way in which we have been welcomed

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— It is most gratifying to note that the industry of our producers, in conjunction with an excellent season in New Zealand and good prices abroad, resulted in the exports from this Dominion for last year being raised to the record total of £57,154,000. These exports exceeded the imports by over £12,000,000, which, following upon the favourable balance of trade for the previous year, has greatly strengthened the banking and general financial resources of the Dominion. It is regretted that the operations ot the public finances for the year ending 31st March Last resulted in a deficit of £577,000. The estimates for tho present year are being most carefully scrutinised, but some adjustments of the incidence of taxation will be necessary. Proposals to this end will be submitted. The £7,000,000 loan and conversion issue is then mentioned. Arrangements have been made by my Ministers to provide additional capital for State advances, and every effort is being made to meet the legitimate demands of settlers and workers for loans for the purchase and developmeirt of farms and tlio eroctiou of dwellings. During the six months ended June 10, last no less than £3,620,240 has been authorised by the State Advance* board in loans to settlers and workers.

on our journeys through the country i w iH remain a happy memory for all 1 time. Among the most pleasant of our < recolleetions will bo those of our relations with the people of the Maori race. 1 A New Order. Since I last met you Sir Joseph • Ward, at my request undertook to form a Ministry. On December 10 last he ' was appointed Prime Minister, and the Ministry is now in office. His Excellency then referred to the 1 death of the late Chief Justice and the 1 appointment of Mr. M. Myers to the position. , It is also with deep regret that I 1 refer to the calamitous earthquake 5 which the Dominion recently expert- 1 enced, and I join with you in extending sincere sympathy to the relatives 1 of those who lost their lives in the < disaster, continued His Excellency. 1 My Government has intimated that - generous practical assistance will be : provided for those who have unfortun- ; atoly suffered loss, and measures for 1 ' relief have been undertaken. < ' New Zealand had the honour in August last of accepting the invitation to become one of tho 15 original signatories of the multilateral Pact for the denunciation of WaT, commonly known as the Kellogg Pact, and has also . taken the further step of ratification. This Pact has received almost univor- ■ sal acceptance by tho nations of the world, and its solemn renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy has been described by a European. statesman as “the greatest collective deed bom of peace." My Ministers will heartily support any practicable proposals for disarmament, and, as one step in this direction, they have recently signified New Zealand’s acceptance of tho Geneva Protocol of June, 1925, prohibiting the use in warfare of asphyxiating, poison or other gases, and all bacteriological methods. No change of policy is contemplated in respect of naval defence. As a necessary auxiliary to tho naval and land defence of New Zealand, and as an add to commerce and comnnication, my Government is impressed with tho importance of aviation; and it is its intention to take every feasible step to promote interest in this subject throughout the Dominion. The Mandates. The position in the Mandated Territory of Western Samoa continues to cause some anxiety, and there still exists in the Territory a movement, among a considerable section of the Samoan people, of dissatisfaction with the Dominion’s administration. My Government has decided to continue a policy of patience, and have made it clear that while it is its intention to govern tho Territory with justice and equity to all "and with sympathetic consideration to the interests of the Samoans, it must do so with firmness if the position requires it. It has been intimated that while the Government cannot negotiate with any movement that is openly flouting tlie law, the disaffected section of the native population may. bo assured of a full discussion and a generous consideration of any representations so soon as their refusal to comply with the law is abandoned. Unemployment and Works. In common with other countries of the world, the Dominion is still suffering from the evils of unemployment, although it is a matter for congratulation that this trouble in New Zealand 13 comparatively less in scope than elsewhere. Remedial measures, absorbing a large section of those unable to find work, have been taken, by my Governmeul 2 and there are now employed on

Transport. Realising existing anomalies in motor taxation, and also the part that transport plays in tho industrial, commercial and social life of tihe community, my Government has constituted,' for the first time in New Zealand, a Department of Transport, presided over by a Minister of the Crown aud assisted by a Transport _ Advisory Council composed of practical men. The recommendations of this council will, mv Ministers believe, result in beneficial changes being made, by which adjustments in taxation can eouitably be brought about. A Bill providing for the establishment of the Department of Transport will be placed before vou. In order to facilitate the administration of the Main Highways Act, it is intended to submit amending legislation making provision for tho settingup of a highways board for the North Island and the" South Island respectively. . • Other matters mentioned are the construction of good roads in preference to branch railways, and tho wheat committee. Settlement and Migration. Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of

the House of Representatives, —

During the recess my Minister of Lands has personally investigated the prospects of further settlement of the undeveloped Crown lands of the Dominion, and, as a result, proposals will be submited to Parliament for providing finance for the puipose of roading and preparing such lands for settlement, and also for assisting settlers on Crown and settlement lands in the early stages of the development of their holdings. Much difficulty has been experienced in acquiring suitable blocks, and as it is imperative that closer settlement of the occupied lands of the Dominion should be put into effect, it is proposed to amend the compulsory clauses of the Land for Settlements Act so that they can be applied more effectively. Tho inspection of the large areas of purniec lands in the Dominion has been carefully undertaken, and proposals for j their settlement will be submitted for ,your consideration. Irrigation, as well as the development of swamp lands, is 'engaging the close attention of my Government, and practical assistance, as may be deemed necessary in both avenues, will be provided. My Ministers are firmly of the opinion that British migration within the Empire is a

sound policy, but as far as New' Zealand is concerned, assisted migration to this country must be regulated at all times by tho economic exigencies of the Dominion. The restrictions on this class of immigration, which it was necessary to impose two years ago, must continue until such time as local conditions become sufficiently stabilised. My Government is fully seized with the importance of encouraging the healthy growth of secondary industries in the Dominion, and will extend every reasonable facility for their expansion and establishment. The certain and rapid decrease of our native timber supplies, and the undesirability of depending upon other countries to meet local demands, call for serious thought. Provision for an adequate supply of home-grown timber for local consumption is very necessary, while the conservation and cultivation of tho timber which still remains, on approved silvicultural principles, must be carefully taken in hand. Native Bands. The examination and arrangement of a basis of settlement of Native griev-

done by the earthquake. Sir Joseph Ward said a great deal had already been done in the matter. It was his idea there should be co-ordination between the Government and district committees. Ho had suggested that r.ii funds received by all committees should be paid into one committee, which should control them with the advice of local committees. He hoped to be able to give fuller details and a more authoritative statement to-mor-row. He would consider the suggestion that members for the districts affected should be added to the proposed central committee. In reply to Mr. J. O’Brien (Westland) the Prime Minister said he would make a considered statement to-morrow as to what the Government could do to assist in making habitable the wrecked houses in the devastated area of the West Coast. ! in replying to Mr. W. Lee Martin, he said lie would give the fullest eonisideration to the suggestion of a week'end visit by members of the House to 'the locality of the proposed extension of tho South Island main trunk railway. : 44 Landing Grounds.

ances regarding confiscated lands and j Kemp’s purchase of the iSoutli Island; the readjustment in view of dctcriora- 1 tion and other factors of conditions affecting Native leaseholds; the consoli- j dation of Native land titles in North j Auckland, the King Country, and por- ( tions of the Bay of Plenty, involving , a consideration of local taxation diffi- | culties; and the effective settlement of ; tho Maoris themselves upon land under j special conditions as to title, finance, and supervision, are all of them mat-1 ters in respect of which my Government hopes to make definite progress towards solution.' Youth and Age. My advisers aro of opinion that alterations in our system of education are desirable, in the words of a leading authority, “to enable the pupil to reveal and discover his interests, aptitudes, and capacities so that these may bo strengthened by suitable training, and he may be thus assisted in choosing a career most likely to be of benefit to himself and the State." In view of our dependence upon the great primary industry, an agricultural bias will also be given in our Stato system. Educational facilities in the country districts will be improved by a policy of consolidation, and a vocational-guid-ance officer will be appointed as a connecting link between the life at school and tho world of work outride. A select committee upon education will bo set up and evidence taken from the farming, technical, industrial, and professional groups, with a view to ascertaining the best method of giving effect to such a'policy. My advisers, realising that there are men and women who in their old age have fallen upou hard times and who, owing to their incapacity to meet the requirements of modern life, are brought before the Courts, propose to introduce legislation to enable Magistrates to avoid the necessity of com- . mitting such unfortunate peoplo to

, prison, and to provide a discretionaiy ; power to send them to some suitable in- ' stitution, where they may spend their ' declining years in pleasant surround- ■ ings. ; Bills will be laid before you dealing ! with relief of unemployment, land, river-protection, land-drainage, rating of farm lands in boroughs, bank and other holidays, and town planning. x .Legislative council. A brief meeting of the Legislative Council was held shortly after the conclusion of the opening ceremony. Sir Thos. Mackenzie and Dr. Collins, who were reappointed to tho Council last year but were absent during the 1928 session, were formally sworn in. Notices of motion were given by the Leader of tho Council (Hon. T. K. Sidey) in respect to a call of the Council on July 10 for tho purpose of electing a speaker. Ho now gave notice to move an Address-in-Repiy. A motion granting leave of absence was granted to members of tho Council as follows: ’ Mr. Witty, six days; Mr. Isitt, two days; Sir*E. Mitchelson, 14 days; Mr. . Fleming, 6 days; Mr. Triggs for the remainder of the session on account of | absence from the Dominion; Mr. Scott, , 7 days, and Mr. Michael, 14 days. The _ Council rose at 3.25 until 2.30 tomorj row. House Resumes. On the House of Representatives rei snming after returning from the Logisl lative Council, the Speaker announced > the result of the Bay of Islands [ petition and called upon Mr. H. M. Kushworth to take the oath. This ho ■ did, sponsored by Messrs. Poison and i Martin. Later, Mr. Jordan (Manakau) who - was not present at the short session i immediately after the election, was also ■ sworn in, his sponsois being Messrs. Savage and Howard. - A largo number of notices of motion j were given and questions were asked, t principally referring to unemployment and carthquako damage and relief. Mr. Bodkin (Otago Central) gave notice that he would move a respectful ■ address to be presented to His Excelloncy in reply to the speech delivered ' to both Houses.

Sir Joseph Ward, in replying to Mr. J. S. Fletcher, said Auckland had received exactly the same as other cities (£25,000) in the way of subsidy for unemployment and on similar conditions.

[ Hon. T. M. Wilford, in replying to Mr. H. E. Holland, said that of the 44 aviation landing places provided already in New Zealand, there were four !on tho West .Coast, of which one was ! at Westport. He was not in a position jto make a pronouncement on a Govern(ment scheme for landing places until ’legislation on the subject was elear--1 ed. Two days’ leave of absence was ! Mr. Black, member for Motueka, six days to Mr. Burnett (Tern uka). Mr. Wilkinson (Egmont) was granted two days’ leave and Sir Maui Pomaro (Western Maori) six days The Expiring Laws Continuance Bill was read a first time pro forma. In replying to Mr. Coates, Sir Joseph said he proposed to commence the debate on the Address-in-Repiy on Tuesday when there would be two speakers s only. To-morrow, he proposed to go on with the Imprest Supply Bill. The House rose at 4.5. United Caucus. A caucus of members of the United Party was held this morning, there being a full attendance. Thu following resolution was passed: “That tins meeting desires to express its entire confidence in the Leader of the United Party and Ministers who are associated with him and feels certain that when the work of the session is completed, the country will realiso that the Government is fulfilling its p)cages and that it is being well served by the Government and its supporters. The resolution was proposed by Mr. S. G. Smith (chairman of committees) and seconded by Colonel T. W. McDonald. The proceedings of the caucus were marked by the utmost cordiality and at the conclusion musical honours were accorded Sir Joseph Ward.

Other Parties Meet. A meeting of members of the Reform Party to-day was informal and mainly concerned with practical arrangements for carrying on during the session. Tho Labour Party also was mainly concerned with preliminaries and it passed a resolution of sympathy with the sufferers from the earthquake and the Palmerston North tornado. This being the first meeting of the Parliamentary section since the British elections, a cable of congratulation was despatched to the British Prime Minister (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald).

In reply to Mr. W. E. Parry, the Prime Minister said the unemployment question throughout tho country was being dealt with consistently by the Government, which w r as meeting cases as it could. Mr. Parry: “Numbers arc increasing in Auckland.’’ Sir Joseph Ward: “That is not our fault." Mr. Parry: “It is not ours." ►Sir Joseph Ward: “I am afraid it is tho fault of somebody in Auckland." Sir Joseph Ward continued that money was being distributed by the Government without any distinction what-, ever. I Notice’ of his intention to introduce a Marriage Act Amendment Bill was given by Mr. H. G. R. Mason. Earthquake Relief. In answer to Mr. H. E. Holland anil Mr. J. G. Coates, tlio Prime Minister referred to the steps the Government was taking to cope with the damage