PARLIAMENT.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 3344, 11 June 1909, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

GOVERNOR’S SPEECH

Electric Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, June 10. His Excellency the Governor (Lord Plunket) delivered the following speech at the opening of Parliament: “Honourable Gentlemen of tha Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: It is with much pleasure I meet you again in Parliament assembled to state to you the causes for which you nave been summoned. I am entitled to assume that you have followed with close and deep interest the gravity of the outlook of the statements of his Majesty’s Ministers in England as to the present strength and fighting efficiency of the British Navy, and more particularly as to the extensive changes in and to that Navy found to be necessary to enable tlie Empire to maintain its greatness if not its existence in case ot war. The gravity of tire outlook upon the rapid growth of foreign naval armaments has impressed itself upon tin. statesmen ot the United Kingdom and his Majesty’s Ministers. They have out- ; lined the naval programme which they deem essential to enable Great Britain to retain her supremacy on the seas. You have doubtless seriously reflected upon the heavy burden which the maintenance of the British Navy already imposes upon the i United Kingdom, and of tlie great 1 additions which will be made to this | burden by tlie new naval programme. It is quite unnecessary to remind you how vitally we tn this Dominion are interested in the strength and efficiency of that navy or ot i our obligations to Great Britain for tlie protection now and always aifordect to our lives and liberties, and our property, trade and commerce by her fleets. My advisers, recognising not only the gravity of the situation I in which the rapid growth of foreign naval armaments has placed our | Mother Country, but also the great i weight of the burden upon hei people, i which the maintenance and snength- | ening of her navy involves, decided ; that, subject to ratification by Pariia- ; meat, this Dominion should give a prompt and substantial prool both of its loyalty and its duty to tlie Empire by the offer of a first-class battleship of the Dreadnought type. This offer has been graciously ac- ' cepted by his Majesty's Home Goveriimeaitj and to make the girt effective you will be asked to ratity it. .Since this offer has been graciously accepted his Majesty’s self-governing oversea dominions have evinced their loyal desire to see the Imprial Navy strengthened so as to be sure of their supremacy of the seas upon which the Empire lias been l ui-ed to its present greatness, and upon which ] that greatness now depends. In the | circumstances his Majesty's Home ' Government has called a Naval Coni ference to be held in Loudon in the ! last week of July next, of responsible : representatives of ail the seli-govern-J iug dominions with a view to con- ! certed and united action being taken ■ throughout tlie Empire tor naval j supremacy and naval defence. The importance of this Conference not - only to the United Kingdom itself but to all his Majesty’s dominions has been recognised by the readiness ■ with which each self-governing j .State has agreed to send representaj tives. The Prime Minister ot New Zealand will attend this CV nierence, j as my advisers deem it expedient, not | only in view of the importance ot tlie Conference to tliis Dominion and to the nation, but also in view of j the new part this country .lias as- | sumed in Imperial defence, by its j offer of a Dreadnought, that New Zealand should be represented at the Conference by its Prime Munster. To enable the Prime Minister to be present in London for the opening of the Conference he must leave New Zealand in a short time, and cannot return before the end ot September next. This being the first session •of a new Parliament my advisers j deem it necessary that while tlie : session lasts the Prime Minister ; should be in his place here to carry !on his important duties, and to in- ! troduee, explain, and, if necessary, | defend the policy, of the Government, and therefore to enable him to attend tlie Conference an early proroI gation of Parliamnt is essential.

“Honourable Gentlemen of tlie House of Representatives: In accordance with the usual custom Parliament would in tlie ordinary course of events have been summoned for the last week of this month, and as you are aware Supplies liave been voted to tlie SOtli day of June instant. In view of the circumstances, and the course I liave already referred to, proposals for an extension of the appropriations to a suitable date will be submitted for your consideration. A statement showing approximately the financial position fit the Dominion will be placed before you, ami Legislative authority asked to raise a sum of money required to carry on certain public works.

“Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: It it not considered necessary by my advisers that any measures should be brought forward before you except the financial proposals already indicated by me, as necessary to give effect to what my advisers deem the wish of the people of New Zealand, that this Dominion should be represented at the impending Conference bv its Prime Minister. 1 trust that the attendance of the Ministers of the Crown from the other self-governing oversea, dominions will rest:lt in a great and permanent scheme of Imperial Naval Defence a scheme which by involving a close partnership between its and the Mother Country will draw us to her nearer still, and will express our kinship in the tangible and visible evidences of the part wo take in the defence of flu' Empire and will, above all. with the blessing of God. make for the permanent peace of the world.” The witch' proceedings were over within 15 minutes from the arrival of the Governor.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCI L. The Legislative Council met for formal business. The Hons. James McGowan and C. H. Mills, the newlvnppaintod members, and the Hons. J. Holmes and J. Marshall (re-ap-pointed) were sworn in, and tlie Council adjourned until 10.30 the following nu»rmug.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House at 3.30 o’clock. A number 'of petitions were presented asking the Government to take steps to procure suitable young women for domestic service. Mr Forbes gave notice of motion to move the Address-in-Reply tomorrow.

Mr Herdman gave notice of the introduction of a Bill amending the Public Service Act.

Sir J. G. W ard gave notice of motion for the nest sitting day that Mr Wilford be appointed Chairman of Committees, and that the Standing Orders be suspended to allow Government business to be given precedence on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and that the Commission on the timber industry be granted permission to sit during the sitting of the House.

The Premier’s motion that members of the Timber Commission, who are members of the House, be granted permission to sit during the present session, was agreed to. Referring to the report of the Judges in the Dunedin North election petition, Mr Allen said that steps should be taken by the Government to prevent the loss of ballot papers. Sir J. G. W ard replied that in the case referred to the officers had taken every step to sheet home the offence, but without success. He would be glad to take further steps in the direction indicated.

The Expiry Laws Continuance Bill was read a first time. Sir J. G. Ward moved the adjournment of the House 'till 10.30 o’clock to-morrow morning. Mr Massey asked at what hour it was proposed to adjourn to-morrow. Sir J. G. Ward replied that the Government would submit proposals to the House, and it was not intended to ask the House to sit later at night than 11 o’clock.

The motion was carried, and the House rose at 5.10 o ciock.