THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3877, 3 July 1928, Page 26

THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

FINAL SESSION OPENED. SPEECH FROM THE THRONE. WELLINGTON, June 28. It has almost come to be recognised ps inevitable that Parliament must be ppened under grey skies and showery flays, so persistently has bad weather pursued the interesting function for many years. This year more pleasant Conditions prevailed, for after a night pf heavy rain and a morning which threatened to be wet and dreary the weather broke fine for the opening this afternoon of the third session of the twenty-second Parliament of New Zealand by his Excellency the GovernorjSeneral (General Sir Charles Fergusson). The ceremony took place at 2.30 p.m., and there was a large assemblage pf people in the grounds of Parliament House to witness the brief military display customary on such occasions. As his Excellency and Lady Alice Fergusson and suite left Government House a palute of 19 guns was fired from the battery at Point Jerningham. Their Excellencies were attended by Captain Boyle (military secretary), Mr A. C. pay (official secretary), Captain E. L. prr-Ewing, A.D.C., and Lord Waleran, assistant private secretary to his Excellency. The Vice-Regal party was received, on arrival at Parliament House i t>y Major-general R. Young, C. 8., C.M.G., D. 5.0., Colonel R. St J. Beere, D. 5.0., V.D., Colonel-Commandant J. H. Whyte, D. 5.0., D.CM., N.Z.S.C., LieutenantColonel F. Symon, G.M.C., D. 5.0., A.D.C., Lieutenant-Colonel H. E. Pilkington, R.N.Z.A., Lieutenant-Colonel R. B. ; Smythe, D. 5.0., N.Z.S.C., LieutenantColonel N. S. Falla, C.M.G., D. 5.0., A.D.C., Lieutenant-Colonel D. J. Gibbs, D. 5.0., V.D., Captain C. N. Reyne, R.N., A.D.C., and Paymaster-Commander E. N. R. Fletcher, R.N. The guard of honour, consisting of 100 officers and men from Wellington College Cadets pnder Captain W. F. C. Balham and Lieutenant J. R. Cuddie, gave the royal salute by presenting arms as their Excellencies arrived, and the band of the Ist Battalion, Wellington Regiment, played the National Anthem. His Excellency, who was in full dress uniform, accompanied by the military and naval Staffs, then inspected the guard of honour.

While the inspection was being made her Excellency was received by the clerk of Parliaments (A. F. Lowe) and was conducted by him to her seat on the left Of the dais in the Legislative Council Chamber. The Speaker of the Legislative Council (Sir Walter Carncross) handed a bouquet to her Excellency, and another to Mrs Coates, who, with Lady Camcross and the wives of the Ministers, was seated in the Chamber. The galleries were filled with spectators, the majority of whom were ladies, whose bright costumes made a brilliant spectacle. - en^er * n £ the building after inspecting the guard his Excellency, preceded Black Rod, proceeded to the Speaker’s chair in the Legislative Council Chamber The members of the House of Represents lives, assembled in their own chamber, were then summoned by Black Rod at hi s Excellency’s command, and in a few minutes they entered the Legislative Chamber headed bv their Speaker v r Charles Statham). His Excellency then read to members of both Houses the following speech: Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: It is with pleasure that I again meet you in Parliament assembled. My visits ' l“ uni ?g recess to different parts of the Dominion which I had not visited before have further convinced me of the loyalty of the people of this Dominion to the Crown and I have much appreciated the warmth of the welcome that has been extended to me. Since I last met you a most important ®J e P towards the peace and security of the world has been taken by the Government of the United States of America in its proposal for a multilateral treaty for the renunciation of war. The prin--P 4 !.®®*'* 0 ? 68 th® proposed treaty are: (1) Th a high contracting parties solemnly declare in the name of their respective peoples that they condemn recourse to war for the solution of international controversies, and renounce it as an instrument of national policy in their relations with one another; (2) th e high contract ing parties agree that the settlement or solution of all disputes or conflicts, of whatever nature or of whatever origin they may be, which may arise amongst them shall never be sought, except bv pacific means. An invitation to become an original party to the treaty has been extended to New Zealand by the United States through his Majesty’s Government m Great Britain. My Ministers, in reply, expressed their warm appreciation of the invitation, and their readiness, in cooperation with his Majesty’s Governments m other parts of the British Empire, to associate themselves with the Government of the United' States in this movement to add greater security to the peace of the world, and to share in any negotiations leading to the conclusion of ‘ the proposed. treaty. — I regret to say that, owing to the ■. ‘disaffection ’ of a section of the population, the administration of the mandate over Western Samoa has caused some anxiety. As a result of various complaints. and grievances alleged against the Administration, it was considered advia-

able last year to appoint a Commission of Inquiry, consisting of the Honourable the Chief Justice of New Zealand (Sir Charles Skerrett) and Judge M'Cormick, of the Native Land Court, to visit Samoa and investigate the complaints on the spot. The result of a long and careful inquiry was to vindicate the Administration j but unfortunately the unrest has continued. Upon the expiration of Majorgeneral Sir George Richardson’s term of office of Administrator, he was appointed as one of the representatives of New Zealand to attend the Permanent Man dates Commission of the League <>• Nations. Colonel S. S. Allen, C.M.G., D. 5.0., was appointed to succeed Sir George<Richardson as Administrator of the territory, and took up his duties in May last. The policy of the Administration is, and always has been, to exercise the utmost possible patience consistent with the due observance of the law. A notable event during the year was the visit of Mr L. S. Amery, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs. His dis-, cussions with my Ministers on various matters of importance, and his personal contact with all sections of the community, gave his visit a special value. The National Industrial Conference, which was set up to consider problems affecting labour and industry, met during the recess. On some matters the conference came to a unanimous conclusion, and its recommendations are now receiving the careful consideration of my Ministers O n other matters, where unanimity was not reached, the conference dealt with much information which had been carefully thought out and prepared, and on which valuable discussions took place. Through out all the (.roceedings there was a spirit of harmony and mutual forbearance, and it is clear that from this aspect alone the conference marks a step forward in our industrial relationships. It is confidently hoped that the conference has laid the foundation for friendly discussion in the future regarding the many difficult problems that arise in our industrial life. It is a noteworthy fact, and one which shows the good relations existing between employers and employees, that the period of depression through which this country has recently passed, and from which it is now happily emerging, has also been a period of industrial peace. The measures passed last session dealing with the agricultural colleges, together with the activities of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, already have been fruitful of results which promise well for the lasting benefit of our primary and secondary industries, and several important co-operative research enterprises have been inaugurated. In this much assistance has been given by the Empire Marketing Board as a result of the visit of Mr Amery. Mv Ministers feel that in the application of scientific methods to the cultivation o.f our land and to the raising and treatment of stock there is a practical means of increasing production, which is so essen tial to the prosperity of this Dominion. The subject of farmers’ finance, which was given much consideration during the last two sessions, resulted in two' measures which have been placed on the Statute Book providing for long-term mortgages and rural intermediate credit. These measures are now in working order, and it is anticipated that much benefit will accrue to the country by the facilities now given to the working farmer to obtain credit on reasonable terms, and at a low rate of interest. Mb Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : I am pleased to be able to refer to the satisfactory change during the last 12 months in the economic and trade position of the Dominion. Aided by a good season and better prices, both the volume and the value of our exportable products show a satisfactory increase. These factors, together with the opening up of new markets, make the outlook for the future distinctly promising, and should do much to remove the causes of unemployment, which unfortunately have been much in evidence during the depression of the last two years. The operations of the public finances for the year ended March 31 last gave a surplus of £179,077 of revenue over expenditure. The Estimates for the present year are being subjected to the closest scrutiny, with a view to continued economy and control over administrative expenditure. For the purpose of promoting the policy of development in connection with public works, railways, and hydroelectric power, a loan amounting to £5,000,000 was issued in London during May. This issue was at 4£ per cent., discounted at £94 10s; and its successful flotation marked a notable break in interest rates, thus indicating, I am pleased to state, improved financial and trade prospects affecting the Empire generally. Along with this issue for new money, a conversion offer was made up of £5,000,000 of the New Zealand Consolidated Stock of £29;000,000, maturing in November, 1929, holders to receive £lO4 10s of new 4J per cent, stock in exchange for their 4 per cent, holdings. The amount offered was immediately taken up. The revision of the tariff last year rendered material assistance to New Zealand industries, and the increased preference granted to British manufacturers has been well received in Great Britain. As a further evidence of New Zealand’s desire to assist Empire trade, concessions amounting to many thousands of pounds were made in the duty on articles in every-day use by the community. During the recess, the Australian Minister of Customs, the late Mr Pratten, visited the Dominion for the purpose of discussing trade and tariff relations between the Commonwealth, and the Dominion. Although the discussions which took place were

not fruitful of any immediate results, it is believed that a better understanding .has been reached on the various administrative difficulties that had arisen from time to time. It was with deep regret that the people of New Zealand learnt of the sudden death of Mr Pratten shortly after his return to Australia.

Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: Much consideration has been given to the provision on a contributory and universal basis of pensions for old age age and widowhood, and of insurance against -sickness and invalidity. In order to give reasonable benefits under any such scheme, which would necessarily be compulsory, and assuming that the financial liability would be borne by the State employers, and employees in equal proportions, it is estimated that the annual charge on the State would be not less than £325,000, leaving twice that amount to be borne by the employers and the employees. This liability of the State would be in additions to the gross sum of £1,314,641 now expended annually for old age and widows’ pensions, which latter payment would have to continue for many years to come. Although it is recognised that the principle of such a scheme is sound, and would remove many anomalies in our present pensions law, my Ministers hesitate, in view of the stress under which many industries have been carrying on, the prevailing unemployment, and the economic conditions generally, to impose this additional burden. Apart from the financial aspect, it has also to be considered whether the conditions that led up to the establishment of the systems now operating in certain closely populated and industrially developed countries, exist in New Zealand to an extent that would warrant the initiation of a similar system here. Consideration must also be given to the effect of such a scheme on the existing voluntary organisations, such as the National Provident Fund, the friendly societies, the hospital and medical services, and other institutions which are already in existence in this country, and deal with uinerent phases of the problem. While welcoming any discussion on the subject, my Ministers have come to the conclusion that all the different points involved require mature consideration, and opportunity should be afforded for the examination of the information collected by a. commission in Australia, which has been sitting for the last three years, and which has recently made its report.

It is proposed this fession to amend the British Nationality, and Status of Aliens (m New Zealand) Act, 1923 by adopting Part II of the British Nationality ano Status of Aliens Act, 1914. This will bring the Dominion of New Zealand into. line with all ot. er countries of the British Empire, which Lave now adopted Part II of the Imperial Act. The effect of this adoption will be that anyone upon whom British nationality has been conierren in any part of the British Empire will become a British subject in every part of the Empire, and consequently anyone whom. New Zealand admits to the status of British nationality can claim that status in any other part of the Empire.

The Acts relating to public reserves anc domains, the rabbit nuisance, divorce, and auctioneers have been compiled and reconstructed, and these measures will be put before you for your consideration. Consolidations of the Acts relating to magistrates courts, education, reserves, post and telegraph, inspection of machinery, noxious weeds, public works, kauri gum, orchard and garden diseases, have been prepared, and will also be submitted to you. Under our existing tew, provision is made for local authorities acquiring charges on land for payment of various services performed by them. The existence of these charges has caused difficulty to people dealing with land, and a measure will be introduced providing for the registration of all such charges. The report on mental deficiency and its treatment furnished by the Inspectorgeneral of Mental Hospitals has been considered, and remedial legislation will be submitted for your consideration. In view of the large increase of motor traffic, and the number of accidents which have occurred on the road, it has been considered by my Ministers desirable that all those who own cars should, at the same time as they pay their annual registration and license fees, pay an additional sum sufficient to provide an insurance against what is known as the third-party risk. ' The details and working of this proposal will be set out in the Bill which will be duly submitted to you. Bills will also be submitted to you dealing with municipal corporations, companies, property law, the police force, State fire insurance, licensing, kinematograph films, land for settlements, the New Zealand University, and other matters. I commend all these matters to your earnest consideration, and pray that Divine Providence may so guide your deliberations that the result will be for the good of the Empire and of lasting benefit to the people of this Dominion.