The New Zealand Times. THURSDAY. JUNE 29, 1922. THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11249, 29 June 1922, Page 4

The New Zealand Times. THURSDAY. JUNE 29, 1922. THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH

For the first time, the Speech of His Excellency the Governor-General at the opening of Parliament distinctly foreshadows a short session. The reference, indeed, may be regarded as an earnest plea for making the session as short as possible. Last session, it is urged, was not very long, but vers fruitful work was done. That reminds us that the Prime Minister has more than once said, during the recess, that all arrears of legislation were made un before Parliament adjourned, leaving the way clear for anything requiring to be done by the last session of Parliament. It reminds as, also, that, having made this statement, the Prime Minister never made much allusion to any special work requiring to he done before the appeal to the electors at the usual time. These considerations strengthen the implication that the Speech is a plea tor a short session. The second reason given in the Speech has the same effect, urging as it does that members of the Lower House ought, if possible, to have ample time to meet their constituents before the date fixed for the decision at the hustings. The reference made to measures is unusually meagre, indicating, of course, that the Government programme is not calculated to take very much time. The most important of these is probably the measure for ratifying the agreement of reciprocity brought back by the Minister for Customs from Australia after his negotiations with the Commonwealth Government. What time this measure will take depends much on th® details, but though far more numerous than those of the last negotiations nearly twenty years ago, the items are not numerous enough to cause long discussions. Moreover, the presence of the head of the Customs Department in Australia with the Minister is proof presumptive that the interests of this country have been sufficiently safeguarded. The pro- ' posed amendment to tho Industrial Arbitration Act may occupy some attention, but it is not likely to be a factor in the prolongation of the session. Tho other amending measures proposed may be part of a policy of consolidation, and it would bo well if they were, for consolidation is now an urgent necessity, and grows more urgent day by day. Finance naturally suggests itself as the subject quite likely to consume time. This espociaTly If thero are proposals of taxation revf-

sion or additional taxation, as well as proposals for further economies. Further economies, ol drastic character, are announced with emphasis in tho Speech, but there is little, if any, reference to the taxation. With tile latter the financial position might take much time. Retienchment alone can hardly do so, for the items cannot be many, and decision, in presence of a Government of unassailable strength, is pretty sure to be a foregone conclusion. In any case, a short session must be welcome. The policy of adding a hundred statutes a year to the Book of Laws is too feverish for any community wuich wants to be healthy.

The affairs of the world bulk larger than our own in the Speech. Natural ly, as the Dominion’s position as one of the oversea partners, of new status, in the Empire make that imperative. For local affairs generally, the Speech is content with optimistic reference to the growing spirit of optimism in the country. That is, of course, not a mere pose, but of real solidity there is not very much behind it. As the best, however, to be got out of the situation, this gentle optimism, hao its merits. Of the world affairs, the Speech says the obvious thing, which' everybody has been saying, and can say again by way pf endorsement, on the understanding that it is a question as yet more of hope than of glory. Reason is given for the absence of our representative irom Genoa, but as Genoa has joined the ranks of oblivion, we need not stop to consider it, especially as we are to have a representative at The Hague, for the local aspect, we read that the meat pool has proved successful so far as it has gone, and that everyone can accept, many of us with some pleasure of the unexpected; hut .the general attitude can only be of watchfulness of what the future may bring. Anyhow, the disasters predicted have not materialised.

There is one outstanding point of policy. Parliament is to be invited to consider the question of establishing agricultural and peoples banks. This because such things have been successful elsewhere. So they have. But the conditions here are not as they are elsewhere. The farming interest elsewhere is stable, while here it is much disturbed by speculative enterprise; in very many cases without either legitimate foundation or reasonable practice. Therefore, it by no means follows that the thing which suits other countries will suit the conditions of this country. It is a matter for the farming interest itself. For the Government the proposal hae the glamour of an apparent concession to the demands of producers whd lean towards advanced ideas. For the producer, the basio principle, which requires men of substance to guarantee the business devised for men whose substance depends on conditions existing here, different from conditions existing elsewhere, can have no glamour. But if there are people who like to take risks of guarantee, and can take them, there can be no objection to opening the door to them. They will walk in at their own risk, with their eyes open. They ought to understand that the country will not take over their liabilities if they should he left in the lurch. This is the day of economic reconstruction. The day of subsidies at the call of any, even of the most important, has gone by.