Parliament Opens Today

Northern Advocate, 26 June 1946, Page 6

Parliament Opens Today

Few Surprises In Governor's Speech

(P.A.) WELLINGTON. This Day. THE final session of the 27th Parliament opened with the usual colourful ceremony this afternoon.

Public interest in the occasion was heightened by the fact that the Speech from the Throne was delivered by the Dominion’s recently-arrived Governor-General (Sir Bernard Freyberg,. V-C.), who was accompanied by Lady Freyberg. Their Excellencies left Government House at 2.15 p.m. and with an escort provided by the Police Department drove to Parliament House, where, despite threatening skies, a large crowd had gathered on the lawns to await Their Excellencies’ arrival.

GUARD OF HONOUR On arrival at the steps of Parliament Building His Excellency inspected the guard of honour provided by two officers and 100 other ranks from the Army school of instruction, Trentham. General Freyberg was attended by the Chief of Naval Staff (Commodore G. H. Faulkner), Major-General N. W. McD. Weir and Air Vice-Marshal A. de T. Nevill. as well as by his personal aides. The Speech from the Throne was read by General Freyberg to whom it was handed by the Leader of the Legislative Council (Hon. A. McLagan). “I feel it a great privilege to have this opportunity of addressing you for the first time in Parliament assembled,” he said. “I am deeply sensible of the honour conferred upon me by His Majesty the King in enabling me to associate myself as Elis Majesty’s representative with this Dominion. which has so long and justly prided itself on its traditions of loyalty to the Throne and its unswerving devotion to the British Commonwealth and the principles of democracy. "It is fitting on this occasion that 1 should record the undying gratitude of the nation towards all those who fought and worked and in diverse ways contributed so selflessly towards the attainment of victory," he added. NOT FORGOTTEN "It shall not be forgotten that for the sake of their fellow countrymen and in tire cause of freedom and justice so many of the bravest of the two races. Maori and pakcha. gave up their lives. "Technically, the state of war still exists and it is indeed most disappointing that the armistice regime should be so prolonged and that the final treaties which should usher in the state of peace should still be undetermined.

t throughout the world is as vitally im--3 portant as was the achievement of 3 victory. My advisers continue to make - their fullest contribution towards the ' attainment of a just and lasting peace. FUTURE OF SAMOA ‘‘One of the matters t 0 be discussed ’ I at the secccid part of the first session j‘ of the General Assembly of the United _ ! Nations which is to meet in New York 1 in September, will be that of trustee--5 j shiP ‘ , j “In accordance with the provisions , I of the Charter of the United Nations, I it is neceessary for New Zealand j after discussion with the states I ‘directly concerned’ to submit a trust- ■ | eeship agreement which will replace 1 | the league mandate for Western \ Samoa. j "This document will be Dlacecl be,j fore you at as early a date as nego--1 j tiations with the other states permit. 2 I SETTLING LEND-LEASE

"My Ministers share to the full the disquiet engendered by the lack of unity which has characterised peoples who were so united in the achievement of a common cause but a few months ago, and because they are convinced that the maintenance of peace

"Mr Nash is at present engaged in discussions on financial questions and on the prices of New Zealand products. On his way back to this country it is anticipated that he will conclude with the United States a final settlement covering outstanding Lend-lease and reciprocal aid transactions upon which agreement in principle has bec-i reached, and the drafting of which is nearly complete.

“Mr Nash will also continue discussions with the United Statets authorities on the mutual use of island bases. FOOD CRISIS Referring to the food situation, His Excellency said that this was cne problem. the seriousness of which had never ceased to cause deep concern to (he Government. By good fortune this country had escaped this culminating disaster, but for no nation was there any escape from the responsibility to save human lives, and New Zealand was doing its best to aid in relief work. New Zealand had also taken a full share in the work of UNRRA. GREATER CONTRIBUTION

When it became apparent that the resources of the Administration, based on the initial contributions of member countries, would be totally inadequate for tiie programme to which the Administration was committed, the Government. in response to an urgent appeal from the council, felt that New Zealand could do no less than make another contribution comparable to its first and it was proposed to submit to Parliament at an early date the legislation necessary for this to be authorised. The Government had also participated fully in the work of the food and agriculture organisation, and had been invited to accept membership of the International Emergency Food Council. FAR EAST AFFAIRS In the Far East New Zealand had continued and further developed its association with other nations intimately concerned in ensuring that Japan did not again menace the peace of the world.

It was a source of particular pride that New Zealand was able to respond so speedily to the call for a force to assist in the garrisoning of Japan.

This force was both a symbol of Commonwealth solidarity and an earnest of the sincerity of the efforts of this country for world security. DEFENCE SYSTEM

The obligations which had been assumed under the United Nations Charter necessitated the creation of an effective defence system and his Ministers were devoting the closest attention to wider questions of defence policy. II was their intention at a very early date to constitute a new Council of Defence.

Whole-hearted support would, he was sure, be given to the announcement of New Zealand's willingness to accept a greater proportion of responsibility in the sphere of British Commonwealth defence than had been accepted hitherto.

The Interim Army which had been set up would form the basis of a postwar force and in the meantime it was being utilised in the servicing and maintenance of warlike stores and recruiting and training volunteers. Until the basis of the post-war air force is established, an Interim Air Force had been formed, and in the Navy there had been an increased rate of recruiting for continuous service personnel. FINANCIAL SYSTEM ‘‘l he. considerable sacrifices which have been made during the six years of war have enabled the financial system of New Zealand io bear the strain in an eminently successful manner, and the new probelms in the transition from war to peace can be faced with the fullest confidence,” he said. "It is a source of much satisfaction that the whole of the obligations undbr the Memorandum of Security, amounting to £60,834,000. have been paid in full.

"This policy and the further reduction of overseas indebtedness by £29.250,000 during the last financial year, have substantially reduced the obligation to pay interest charges on the external debt with consequent relief from taxation, both present and prospective. SALES TAX CUTS "The impending reduction in war expenditure, however, justified the Government last session in passing legislation to reduce the National Security tax and taxation both direct and indirect is at present being reviewed with the object of affording further relief as circumstances permit. “In particular it is intended that there should be considerable reductions in the Sales Tax on certain commodities.

“It is satisfactory to note that in spite of the heavy and necessan' demands which have been made on the State’s purse from all quarters, the

Consolidated F und for the last financial year closed with a surplus of rereiots over expenditure cf £1,254,000. “This is in line with the equally satisfactory position which has been maintained during the whole of the

war years. SOCIAL SECURITY FUND

"In the Social Security Fund, although expenditure exceeded receipts by .£67,400. this was provided from the cash resources in the fund at the beginning of the financial year. “With the War Expenses Account, cxpenditime exceeded receipts by £6.000.000, but when account is taken of Ihe fact that war loans were redeemed by £27,500.000, it will be appreciated that the results are satisfactory. STABILISATION My advisers are earnestly convinced v lhnt economic conditions obtaining in New Zealand, as in other countries, in the immediate post-war years will make the continuance of economic stabilisation a vital factor in a successful transition from wartime to j normal peacetime economy. To this end the work of the Economic Stabil- | isation Commission is being fully maintained, but modifications of some aspects of stabilisation are under consideration in order to ensure adequate flexibility in meeting changes in ern- | ployment and in promoting the exj pansion of production. * REHABILITATION “Most of the 156.000 men and women who have been discharged from service have settled back into civilian life. I Rehabilitation, despite many post-war j difficulties, has proceeded with encouraging smoothness. Tiie machinery set up under the Rehabilitation Act has proved a sound basis. My Government 'propose, in the coming year, to prosej cute that task with the utmost vigour, | believing that its successful fulfilment ; is vital to the economic prosperity and social wellbeing of the country. The work of rehabilitation will continue Steadily for the next five to 10 years, and will not be concluded until every j serviceman and servicewoman has obtained whatever assistance he or sire might need towards reestablishment 8000 ON LAND

“During the year under review much attention has been devoted to the task of settling exservicemen on tiie land, and experience indicates that a total of 8000 men. including 2000 already settled, will seek rehabilitation on farms of their own. Almost 250.000 acres of land are being developed for the settlement of exservicemen and will result in an eventual investment of more than £50.000.000 of public moneys.

“In other fields of rehabilitation there has been steady development, and particularly in that of trade and occupational training, for which over 7000 have to date been approved. "During tiie year employment surveys have been, made with the object of discovering possible openings for suitable ex-service personnel in all other industrial fields.

economic employment ol available r sources in labour and materials. STATE HOUSING

“There is almost an entire absence of unemployment among ex-service-men in this country. “Housing of ex-servicemen is also a matfer of special concern and considerable progress has been made. PRODUCTION DRIVE ‘The importance of farming in the Dominion’s economy has always been fully appreciated by rny Government and great credit is due to the primary producers who. during the war, maintained output at the highest level. “A new drive for production is being organised by my Government in collaboration with farmers’ representatives to assist in supplying the world's nil ch-needed food requirements. “My Ministers are determined to assist tiie farmer in every way possible by giving incentives and encouragement to increase production still further, and it is anticipated that a resumption of supplies of phosphates from Nauru in the coming year will materially assist towards this end. LAND DEVELOPMENT

“Mv Government will pursue an active policy of land improvement l and settlement while scope remains. They regard it as their first responsibility to provide for the settlement of ex-servicemen and the whole of the land and material resources available to the Lands and Survey Department must, meanwhile, be concentrated towards that end. When the needs of rehabilitation have been met those same resources will be devoted to the development and improvement of the remaining suitable land for the settlement Of those to whem the benefits of the Rehabilitation Act have not been available. “My advisers propose to continue a vigorous policy of industrial development. Reconversion from war to peace-time production has proceeded smoothly, and. in spite of the demobilisation of 80.000 persons from the armed forces between VJ Day and May, 1946, full employment has been maintained. IMMIGRATION “The question of immigration has been under consideration by my Ministers for some time, and it is anticipated that the report of the Parliamentary Committee on population, appointed last year, will be available early in the session. Meanwhile, my Government has initiated arrangements in the United Kirtgdom for the selection of 200 nurses for mental hospitals, and inquiries are being made as to the possibility of obtaining 1000 young single men and women for work j in New Zealand.

"During the past year the house- j building programme, which remains j the first priority, to the utmost extent j permitted by manpower and materials, j Twenty-one thousand state rental houses have been completed and ten- j anted. With an increasing supply ol labour and ouilding materials, my Ministers propose to use every endeavour tc meet the urgent needs of the private housing situation. EDUCATION

"My Government intend, in the postwar period, to devote the utmost attention to tire fulfilment of the aims of their education policy by further provision cl' the best possible facilities. Many circumstances, including an increased birthrate, have increased the rolls of students in the schools and contributed to the need for more teachers and buildings. The selection and training of a sufficient number of teachers is recognised as the prime essemial of education, and steps are being taken to ensure that requirements are fully met. A vigorous budding programme is to be instituted to overtake wartime arrears, and thus provide much improved accommodation for primary, intermediate, secondary and university education. Pursuant to the recommendaticnsTof the Ministerial conference on education, held in Christchurch in 1944, consultative committees were set up to report upon the education of the preschool child and adult education. Their reports should be received shortly, and it is expected that substantial developments will follow. SOCIAL SECURITY

"There are, in addition to the prospective immigrants, over 8000 people with claims to passage to New Zealand registered with the High Commissioner's Office in London, and this factor. together with that of housing in New Zealand, must be taken into consideration in any plans made for tiie reception of immigrants. WARTIME CONTROLS

“Negotiations will be carried out to extend the reciprocity of pensions and benefits to other members of the British Commonwealth. Validating legislation will be introduced in the course of the session to give effect to certain increases now being paid to widows with dependent children and to wives of disabled soldiers. MAORI AFFAIRS "I am happy to record the final settlement of flic long-standing claim of the Waikato tribes for the redress of their grievances regarding the confiscation ol their lands following upon the Maori Wars. Steps arc being taken to bring about the settlement of other outstanding Maori claims.

“The improvement of health among the Maori people and provision of adequate housing will continue to occupy a prominent place in the administration of Maori affairs. Development and settlement of nati\ e lands is also receiving close attention, and active steps will be taken to maintain the highest level of production from farming and horticultural activities. “The visit to New Zealand in October last of three high chiefs of Samoa gave warm evidence of the goodwill of the people of New Zealand whose guests they were. It is hoped to introduce during this session measures to enable the people of the Cook Islands to be more closely associated in the Government of those islands through the formation of a council representative of both the Northern and the Lower groups. Scholarships provided by my Government are enabling 34 young people. 27 frdm Samoa, five from the Cook Islands and two from Niue, to attend secondary schools in New Zealand. LOCAL GOVERNMENT “With a view to implementing one of the main recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee which investigated the local government system. legislation will be brought before you during the present session for the purpose of setting up a permanent commission to review certain phases of local government.

■'ll is also proposed to lay before von legislation to consolidate the Factories Act. 1921-22. and its amendrnen ts.

"It was a source of considerable satisfaction when it was possible to remove the last of the wartime controls over manpower during the year. “Only six -wartime controls over industrial materials now remain. My advisers will revoke the remaining wartime controls affecting trade and industry as soon as the supply position will permit. NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

, “Other legislative measures relate to workers' compensation, apprentices, nassella tussock, trustee law. lands laws, soil conservation. stock foods, stock remedies. veterinary services, and establishment ol' a New Zealand Geographic Board."

“My Ministers have prepared both immediate and long-range programmes of national development. These detailed and comprehensive plans, coordinated by the Ministry of Works, are now being pushed ahead by the various departments of State. Thc'-e schemes, including as they do projects for the supply of increased electric energy, irrigation and land development, and improved communications by road, rail and air have been weli advanced in order that public works generally can be executed according to national, regional and industrial priorities, and with due regard to the