PARLIAMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 26 June 1924, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

GOVERNOR’S SPEECH

OPENING CEREMONY TO-DAY

VARIOUS MEASURES OUTLINED

WELLINGTON, Tin's Day

Parliament opened this afternoon, when the Governor-General deliverer Ids speech as follows: —

Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:

The necessity for the attendance of my Prime 'Minister at the Imperial Conference and the Imperial Economic Conference in London last year which had rendered it desirable to summon the General Assembly to meet at an earlier date than is customary also led to The session closing before the usual time. In consequence the recess has exceeded the normal period. The i resignation of His Majesty’s Government as the result of the general election held shortly after the Imperial Conferences referred to was followed by the accession to power of an entirely new Administration, which has in some important matters arrived at conclusions differing from the resolutions f assed by those conferences. However jnuch they may regret this result, my Monsters recognise clearly that an Adn'-r:'S : tration whose Prime Minister was not present and which was not t t.«e”W!.‘o represented at the Imperial Conferences must. necessarily be absolutely fi.ee to determine whether it will or w 11 not support in Parliament resolutions passed at such conferences. The policy of this dominion, which provides 3ccciat preference to the British Empire trade, was adopted without request on our part- for reciprocal treatment, and remains unaffected. My Ministers will propose an extension of that preference by an increase in the proportion of British production or manufacture, which gives title to the advantage in Customs duties. The special service squadron of the Royal Navy, under the command of Vice-Admiral Frederick Field, received an enthusiastic welcome from the people of New Zealand. The presence m our waters of so large a number of bis Majesty’s ships beaded bv the magnificent battle cruiser “’Hood.” and the generous opportunity granted for public inspection, enabled manv to appreciate the power of the great Service of which these ships form a part, and to which New Zealand has so recently owed the preservation of its trade and commerce during the war. In one ship of the squadron, the lightcruiser “Dunedin,” New Zealand has a special: interest since that vessel, of the most modern design, has been selected by the Admiralty to replace the “Chatham” 5 , in the New ■ Zealand Division of the Royal Navy. I was also glad with mv Ministers to welcome the presence in* the squadron of the “Adelaide,” one of the snips of the Royal Australian Navy. The subsequent voyage of the squadron along the coasts of the Western Samoan Islands, and its stay for a time .off Apia has afforded great satisfaction to my Ministers; and to the Administration of the Islands it was of special importance that the natives of < Samoa should have the opportunity thus provided for them. The British Empire Exhibition at. Wembley recently opened by his • Majesty is attracting great numbers . of visitors not only from the people of Great Britain but also from all the territories of the Empire. The principal object of the Exhibition, to provide specimens of the products of the various parts of the Empire for the inspection of those interested in the relative trades, will be completely served so far ' as -this Dominion is concerned by the efforts of our country to ensure a complete exhibit of its products, and my'Ministers have reason to hope that the financial results will not disappoint the Governments who have rendered, themselves responsible for the large expense involved. My Ministers availed themselves of the voluntary services of a number of gentlemen in New Zealand who agreed to act. as an Advisory Council. The Dominion jnuch indebted to those gentlemen for the interest they showed and the care and attention they gave to ensure the full representation ol our principal industries. On their advice Mr A. F. Heberts was appointed New Zealand commissioner to the Exhibition. .The British nationality and status of aliens in the New Zealand Act of your last session, which v was reserved for his Majesty’s . assent, has recently received the Royal approval and has become -part of the law of New Zealand, and is also now operative under our mandatory authority in Western Samoa. Very satisfactory progress has been / made jfor the relief of discharged soldier settlers by the Dominion Board established bv the legislation of last session. With the, assistance of the District Revaluation Committees the Board has been able to .consider a. very large number of applications, and my Ministers trust it will bo found that the process of revaluation and reduction of rent and interest, and in some cases of capital, will enable the majority of our discharged soldiers settled on the land to look forward to success with renewed hope. ■ It has for some time been recognised that the main difficulty arises in cases where the land was purchased •by the soldiers themselves from private individuals with a first mortgage to the Crown for its advance and subsidiary mortgages to the vendors. In a number of instances of this class the Board has been able to effect satisfactory arrangements as between the mortgagor and the second mortgagee. The policy established by the Act, together with the approaching termination of the general mortgage extension, necessitated the increase (provided by your Act of • last session) of the maximum amount permitted under the State Advances Act, from £2OOO to £3500 for settlers, and from £750 to £1250 for workers, and the increase by £2,250,000 of the • authorization of the loan for advances to settlers, and workers’ .applications for advances have been received far in excess of the increased authorization. The success of. the efforts of the State Advances Department to cope with the increased demand is exemplified by the fact that during the financial year ended the 31st March loans to the amount of £8,066202 were authorised and £6,205,686 actually> paid. Further moneys are being supplied to the Office and constant effort is maintained to deal speedily with all applications. The effect of the Meat Export Control Act followed by the Dairy Industry Control Act • of your last session has been satisfactory to the producers. The establishment of hoards with statutory authority to negotiate tor shipping and freights ” and to control the rate of supply to markets abroad has already provided many beneficial results. The fruit producers of the Dominion have indicated a desire Tor the establishment of a Fruit Industry Control Board with similar powers, and legislation with that ohject has been prepared and will be submitted for your consideration. The Main Highways Board Ims been established, and has done much valuable preliminary work, including the definition

of a number of main highways. You will be asked to consider ways and means for providing, sufficient funds to enable the important duties of the Board to be carried out. The Mortgages Extension'Acts < Spire at the end of the present year, and it is not considered advisable to continue the automatic operation of extension beyond that period. The present Acts applv onlv to mortgages executed before 'October, 1919, and there is reason to believe that the great majority of those mortgages have already been the subject of arrangement between the several mortgagors and mortgagees, having the effect- of excluding-the statutory extension; but it is also believed that there are a limited number of eases where the immediate removal of all protection might create considerable hardship to the mortgagors. My Ministers will therefore submit to you legislation which, while allowing the "eneral protection t<> expire at the end of the present year, will entitle mortgagors who can’ prove special hardship to'apply to a Supreme Court judge for a further extension not exceeding two vears. Under the previous Act the mortgagee has always had the right to apply to the Court for leave to exercise his powers, though very little advantage has been taken of the statues in that respect. Under the measure to be proposed to you. any mortgagor who desires extension is compelled to apply to the Court for an opportunity t" prove his ease and to\satisfy the Court that there are special reasons in his case which justify a brief extension. Two measures of special importune)' which wen* in part before you last session will, my Ministers hope. he agreed to and become law during your' present session. The first, is a Bill to consolidate and simplify the land laws of the Dominion and the second a. Bill to bring’all lands of the Dominion under the provisions of t-lie Land Transfer Act within a definite period, with special provision for the issue of provisional certificates in the. ease of infirm titles. /

Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.—

The Royal Commission appointed to consider the system of incidence of land and income taxation in New Zealand has presented a unanimous report, which in due course will be laid upon the table of your House.

The repo ■( of .another, commission appointed to consider the effect of forestry reserves upon the revenues of local bodies .has also been received by me and will be made available for your deliberation. The receipts of revenue during the las; financial year have been satisfactory.

Economy has been practised in all Departments ,tho result being that the accounts of tlie year closed with a surplus of £1,812,366. Proposals for certain remissions of taxation will be submitted.

Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.—

Two specially qualified gentlemen from England are at present engaged in investigating the conditions appertaining to the railways of New South Wales. My -Ministers propose, to take advantage of their presence in Australia to institute a Royal Commission, of which they will be members., to carry out an exhaustive inquiry into the Whole system and control of out New Zealand railways and to advise thereon.

The subject of fishing rights in the interior waters of the Domii ion has been under the consideration of my Government. Legislation is necessary to prevent the sale of such rights, whether in cross or as attached to riparian ownership, and especially to prevent the acquisition by persons not resident in the Dominion of power to exclude others from certain waters. A Bill having those objects will be laid before you. My Ministers anticipate that you may find it necessary to postpone finally settling the wliol.e subject matter, pending special investigation into the nature and existence of the right, but that you may consider sufficient in the meantime to prohibit nny such dealings. In addition to the legislation to which I have made special reference, you will have submitted for consideration along with other measures, Bills dealing with the Stamp laws, the Chattels Security Acts, Motor Vehicles, Copyright, Public Works, Edu .-avion, Defence, Local Bodies Loans, War Funds, Police Offences, Public Debt Reduction. My toL'in of office as Governor-General of New Zealand will expire at the end of September next, and I shall be leav ing the Dominion towards the end of November. The severance of tins which have, with ever-incre ising strength, .bound me in close attachment, to ' the people of New Zealand will cause me the deepest possible regret. Our sojourn here has been a time of great interest and of unalloyed happiness to her Excellency and myself As the repre-' sentative of His Majesty I have witnessed with the keenest satisfaction, the spirit of fervent loyalty to the Throne and Empire which is so marked a characteristic of tli ; people of New Zealand, and of widen so many proofs had been given. 1 have watched with great pleasure the increase of population and the growth in trade of the Dominion, ana the. manner in which recovery from the aftermath of war has been effected is a subject for sincere congratulation. The birth and development of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy during 'my term of office, and the high standard attained by the recruits entering the service, have been of much interest to me as a. naval officer. To the past and present members of the two Houses of the Legislature, with .whom .I have been associated, I beg to express my deep appreciation of their uniform courtesy and consideration. J should like to take this opportunity also of voicing my warmest gratitude to the.people of the Dominion for their exceeding kindness to her. Excellency and to myself ami to the members of our family. .1 he future prosperity of New Zealand ana the welfare and happiness .of its peoplewill ever he matters of profound interest to me.

Finally, I-express the earnest hope that Divine Providence may guide our deliberations. and further ific welfare "f trie people of the Dominion.

NO CONFIDENCE MOTION TO RE MOVED BY MR WILFORD From our Parliamentary Correspondent.' WELLINGTON, Tin’s Day. The Leader of the Opposition will give notice this afternoon of his intent ion to move an amendment to confidence in the present Government. The form of the amendment is not yet disclosed. From our Parliamentary Correspondent. WELLINGTON, This Day. The stage is now set for the opening of Parliament this afternoon, and most of the members have now assembled for the opening ceremony to be performed by Lord Jellicoe, arid after a formal meeting of both Houses, an adjournment will be made until Friday, when sympathetic reference will be made to the

memory of deceased legislators-—the Hon Dr. Newman, Hon. Carson. Hon. Louisson and J. .Stallworthy, formerly a member of the House of Representatives. The Supply l!i!l will hr presented either mi Kridav or Mmidav.

As anticipated. Mr A. I). McLeod (Wairarapa) has been appointed Minister of Lands in succession to Tlon. (J. Guthrie, who has relinquished the portfolios on account of ill-licalth.

'Mr McLeod, who was sworn in this afternoon, takes over all the portfolios of Mr Guthrie, who now .becomes a member of the Executive without port folio.

It is stated definitely that Hon. R. 11. Rhodes, whose health has been giving some concern, will not relinquish Minist-rial rank lor the present. In Reform Party circles, there is some heart-burning over Air McLeod's promotion to Ministerial rank, although it is recognised that this portion of the Nortii Island was deserving of more representation in the Ministry, seeing that the Auckland district alic-ndy was well represented. At the same time, the f-iei cannot he disguised that .Mr .7. S. Dickson, senior Government Whip, and Sir John Luke, are. not altogether pleased with the re-arrangement decided upon. Both consider they have claims to Cabinet rank, the former on the ground that he is chief Whip, which is generall looked upon as a jumping off ground to Cabinet, and the last-named, because he is far senior in Parliamentary experience to Air Mel.eod. It is stated that- Air J. A. Nash is also among the disappointed ones, but the real reason for Air McLeod's selection is that lie is a practical farmer, well acquainted with the land and soldier set tier problems. It is considered he wdl make a good Minister, as lie has a s'rung personality 1 arid is more than aide to bold ids own in debate. Air ,1. A. Young, chairman of committees, was last, veai n strong aspirant to Ministerial honours, but this year he did not, press his claim, because lie fell that he could not reasonably expect another Aucklander to have a place found in Cabinet for him. The Refer ii Party caucus will take place to-night, and although nothing in the. way of open revolt on the part of the rejected elau iants ts expected, it is thought that there will he a s.oinewlnit free discussion n the general sul jeet of Cabinet selections.