THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a Newspaper. THURSDAY JUNE 27, 1946. The Speech From The Throne

Northern Advocate, 27 June 1946, Page 4

THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a Newspaper. THURSDAY JUNE 27, 1946. The Speech From The Throne

The Speech from the Throne read at the opening of Parliament yesterday very naturally attracted unusual public attention by reason of the fact that it marked the first occasion on which the newly-appointed and distinguished Governor General, Sir Bernard Freyberg. made virtually his first appearance in his official role.

Apart from this fact, there is little doubt that recent speculation as to the probable contents of the speech, and the growth of belief that it would reveal far-reaching legislative policies, gave more interest than is normally attached to the document. This was evidenced by the large gathering which assembled to listen to Sir Bernard when he read the speech. It is customary, at the opening of a session of Parliament, for the Government of the day to set out in a Speech from the Thrcne the lines of policy it intends to place before Parliament, and at the same time to review outstanding questions confronting the Dominion and the world generally.

On this occasion, there was much ground to be covered. The end of hostilities with Japan, which had coloured thought and action in the earlier days of the present Parliament, has changed New Zealand’s outlook upon world affairs. The Governor General’s speech was therefore devoted in considerable degree to discussion of those affairs, which, it need not be stressed, are matters New Zealand cannot ignore. While there was naturally a strong note of gratitude that actual fighting, with 'all its cost in lives and material, had ceased, there was nevertheless expressed regret that the final treaties which should usher in a state of peace are still unsettled.

So long as the representatives of the Allied nations cannot agree upon a solution of problems that have so far proved intractable, so long will the danger of another world upheaval continue. For that reason, the dominant effort of every legislator, and of every leader of public opinion in every country, should be to pave the way for the framing of a just and durable peace. This thought runs prominently through the Speech from the Throne read by Sir Bernard Freyberg, and It cannot escape the reader that important as are the legislative questions of immediately Dominion character, the success or otherwise of anything the Parliament of New Zealand can do is conditional upon the settlement of problems affecting the production of a peace treaty which shall at least make more remote the likelihood of another world war. New Zealand may be able to do relatively little in this respect, but whatever is said or done should be in the right direction. This fact should influence the deliberations of legislators during wlfnt is the final session of tiffs New Zealand Parliament.

So far as domestic legislation designed to occupy the attention of Parliament is concerned, a foreshadowing of further relief from taxation will give pleasure to taxpayers in the Dominion. Details of relief measures are not given, though it stated that considerable reductions in the sales tax on certain commodities are to be made. It is also indicated that the impending reduction in war expenditure has justified the Government in reviewing the national security taxation as well as taxation, both direct and indirect, with the object of providing further relief as circumstances permit. The taxation door is evidently being left ajar by the Government, though sales tax relief has been decreed. The taxpayers of the country will await with keen interest developments during the session. Mention of war expenditure may possibly prove to have reference to settlement of the Lend-Lease relationship between the United States and New Zealand, a matter upon which the Finance Minister has been negotiating during his present visit to Britain, where important financial questions have been discussed. The removal of wartime controls affecting trade and industry as soon as the supply position will permit is declared to be the intention of the Government, which thus infers that some time will elapse before the freedom of action existing in pre-war days will be restored. Industrial legislation will evidently occupy considerable attention during the session, the Government indicating important amendments to the Factories Act. while immigi'ation and industrial development, with an overhaul of local government law. will figure largely. It is noteworthy that the Speech devotes considei-able attention to the need for increasing primai'y production in the Dominion not merely to swell the Dominion's income, but to provide food which is urgently needed by famine threatened people overseas.' It is interesting to note when discussing this matter that the Government evidently intends to bring before Parliament the question whether the people of New Zealand should voluntarily reduce their food rations in order to send a larger volume of food to the people of Britain.

Apparently it, will be proposed that cuts shall be made arbitrarily, the onus for action being placed upon Parliament.

In view of the imminence of a general election, and the tactical considerations which Invariably influence Ministers, it is perhaps not surprising that the Speech from the Throne should have only dealt inferentially with details of controversial policy that will doubtless be disclosed when the moment is considered appropriate for their introduction. The people will thex’efort watch with greater interest the progress of the session.