Late Parliamentary.

Northland Age, Volume VIII, Issue 26, 16 February 1912, Page 4

Late Parliamentary.

We take the following extracts from the Governor’s speech : During the recess I have visited various parts of the Deminion and congratulate you upon the continued prosperity ol the country. The very greet and difficult question of reviling our local government law has had the closest attention of my advisers, and a bill will be introduced providing a completely new and comprehensive scheme under which amongst many other reforms the finance of local bodies, and the important question of the construction and maintenance ol roads, will be placed on a more stable and satisfactory footing. This scheme will be made the basis for radical changes in the constitution of the Legislative Council. A proportion of the members of the Legislative Council will be elected by the members of the provincial councils to be created by the new local government bill, a proportion will be elected by the House of Representatives, and a certain number will be nominated by the Government.

My advisers consider that owing to the rapid disappearance of the last remnants of untenanted Crown lands legislation must be passed providing for the more effective sub-division for closer settlement purposes of freehold estates of unimproved value and upward. The bill will provide that the land so resumed shall be sold to small settlers under a deferred payment system.

In order to promote the speedier settlement of unoccupied Native lands my advisers deem it necessary to strengthen the staffing of the Native Land Courts and of Native land surveys. Provision will be made whereby surplus Native lands shall be sold or leased on behalf of the Native owners through the Crown. Such provision shall operate concurrently with a vigorous prosecution of the purchase by the Crown of surplus Native lands in order that the areas reserved for the use and occupation of the Maori owners shall be effectively occupied by them. The existing system with regard to the limitation of area will be revised and provision will be made for standards of living areas based not merely upon the productiveness but also upon the position, roading, etc., and all other main considerations affecting the area in question. Legislation will be introduced to prevent the present trafficing in Crown lands.

My advisers will place before Parliament a statement of the finances of the Dominion which it is gratifying to know aae in a buoyant and satisfactory position. The graduated land tax will be adjusted and made more uniform.

The laud tax will also be revised and exemption for taxation purposes will be raised to £IOOO so as to give further relief to farmers aud occupiers of small holdings. Legislation will also be introduced to distinguish for taxation purposes between earned and unearned income. Also to reduce the tax payable by widows with limited incomes and to distinguish between incomes of parents who are maintaining and 'educating a family and those who have no such responsibility. It is proposed to create a standing Commission of industrial investigation to inquire int# any questions affecting the cost of living, the existence of monopolies, and other pressing social and industrial problems, including the question of unemployment and sickness.

Legislation will be introduced dealing with the iabour troubles which have recently arisen in NZ. In this connection my advisers propose to amend the present Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act in the direction of removing causes that lead to unnecessary friction between employers and employees. Experience has shown that the present electoral law is not working satisfactorily and substantial ehanges will therefore be submitted for your consideration.

My advisers recognise that the time has arrived for a complete revision of the Customs tariff, with a view to a true protective system encouraging suitable local industries and enabling them to provide fuller employment and better wages for our people. In this connection too, under the altered system of graduated tax upon the land, sufficient revenue will be obtained to warrant a reduction in the duty on tobacco and on many articles in daily use, required by the small fanners, the workers and their wives and families.

My government will continue to actively prosecute the making of railways, roads and bridges. The principle of the existing system of trained nurses will be extended by providing medical attendance for all those who are not reasonably able to secure the same. Convalescent homes will also be established, for mothers after maternity.

Legislation dealing with old age pensions is to be submitted, fixing the age for women at 60 years and for widows at 55 years, without any restrictions as to children.

My Ministers are satisfied that il would be of great advantage to tl.c workers in the different centres if

they were able to acquire cottage farms from the State sufficiently near thalr usual work to enable them to employ their spare time upon these farms in fruit-growing, dairying, market gardening, or othtr profitable purposes. The legislation introduced last year for the ertation and promotion of farmers’ co operative banks will be proceedtd with. The bill providing for a State note issue in N.Z., which was before Parliament last year will be re-intreduced. My advisers hold that the ideal of our educational system should be to make it free from the primary school te the University. The only buiinets yesterday in the House was the election of Speaker. Sir Arthur Guineas was ohoien without a division. The debate on the Governor’s Address will oommence next Tuesday, and probably laat a fortnight. At present the position of parties is Opposition 39, Government 37 certain, 2 still undeoided, Mr. Wilford, for whom there is no pair, aud the Speaker who has a oasting vote.