The MANAWATU DAILY Times FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1936. The Speech From The Throne

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 73, 27 March 1936, Page 6

The MANAWATU DAILY Times FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1936. The Speech From The Throne

■ , n ,. nllMM ] in the first session of New gsistratt i h— #. «y2s *» «“ “ «ii »n£u»U. of a political broadcast is o^in 3 present f "« M r^ for more thought in the preparation of members utlua s but for a better brand of Parliamentary orator} £ it is that the orator will not hear himself. 01 a before lon- it may well be that a new twist mil be = en o ! c . Vi* > invocation - “Oh wad the power some giftie gio us t m hear ourscl’s as ithers hear us ! ” The disembodied voice can be a fearsome thing, and more than one ecputa io . likely to topple before the experiment has gone acij 1j • Of the “Speech from the Throne” little need be said. His Excellency’s deliverance followed closely on the lines o recent political usage, which has aimed at revealing as little as possible of the actual intentions of the Government of the da}. - ® L thne the Speech could be looked forward to with something akin to excited anticipation. It was a monumental document, and often revealed hi detail policy matters of great moment. But of late years Prime Ministers have reduced the Speech to a few polite generalities and shadowy suggestions of impending legislation. Yesterday’s Speech could not fail to arouse interest because even the vaguest outline of the Government’s programme would be provocative. The recital of the legislative proposals, portentious as it was, revealed nothing beyond what has already hem •riven in even greater detail by the Ministers in charge of the different departments. “The question of unemployment is one of pressing urgency,” said his Excellency and to end it the Government reiterates its intention not only of extending the Public Works system, but also of facilitating the provision of employment by the expansion of existing industries and tie encouragement of new ones. A Bureau of Industry is foreshadowed in this connection, and it has the formidable task before it of advising on new projects and planning the coordination, increased efficiency and development of. existing industries. Promises are held out at the same time for increased wages and shorter hours. To what extent these will assist or retard both old and new industries is a question which only time can answer. Guaranteed prices for farmers, the adjustment of faim indebtedness in relation to farm income, and the control of the marketing of primary products “in the simplest and most efficient manner possible” form the second group of policy measures, details of the application of which are eagerly awaited. No less revolutionary is the stated intention of the Government “to ensure for the State the control of the currency and credit of New Zealand so that the social and economic welfare of the Dominion will be promoted and maintained.” The whole problem of the administration and control of all forms of transport is at present being investigated,, says the Speech, while inquiries with reference to defence, pensions, local government, housing, national health insurance, dental hygiene, the health of the Maori; the carriage of mails by air, the protection of British shipping, and a survey of the education system are being prosecuted. Truly a herculean task lies ahead of Parliament. The carrying of such a programme to fruition without seriously disorganising the economic and social life of the Dominion requires wisdom, caution and courage, and the well-intentioned efforts of the Government to bring about a happier and more prosperous condition of affairs in this country will be anxiously followed by all true patriots.