PARLIAMENT

Southland Times, Issue 18968, 15 June 1923, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

YESTERDAY’S CEREMONY GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S LENGTHY SPEECH. IMPORTANT LEGISLATION FORECASTED. MR WILFORD PROPOSED NOCONFIDENCE MOTION. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 14. The second session of the TwentyFirst Parliament of New Zealand opened to-day with the usual formalities. The weather which had been showery during the day was still driaziing with dull skies overhead when the actual opening ceremony took place. The usual salute fired from Mount Cook barracks, as the Governor-General and Admiral of the Fleet, Viscount Jellicoe of Scapa, left Government House and on arrival at Parliament Buildings, the band of the First Battalion, Wellington Regiment, played the National Anthem. His Excellency then inspected the Guard of Honour, furnished by 100 Wellington College Cadets, under Captain Renner. In spite of the unpropitious weather conditions a fair assemblage of the public watched proceedings outside the building. Inside Parliament, a warmer colour prevailed. Since last session the furnishings of the buildings had been carried on and in the corridors with warm red carpetings, there was a general look of finish, which was absent in former years. The Legislative Council Chamber galleries were crowded, ladies predominating while on the floor of the Chamber only 20 Councillors were present. Wives of Parliamentarians occupied a portion of the space to the left of the Speaker’s chair. The buzz of conversation came to a sudden hush as a movement near the main door indicated the approach of the King’s representative, and as the Governor-General and suite entered, all stood till his Excellency having taken the Speaker’s chair, bade all to be seated. Lord Jellicoe was attended by Captains Curtis Mundy and Southey A.DXJ.’s, and by Major-General Sir Edward Chaytor, A.D.C. to His Majesty the King, and members of the headquarters staff. Owing to indisposition, Her Excellency, Lady Jellicoe, was not able to be present, but the Hon. Lucy Prudence and Hon. George Jellicoe were included in the ViceRegal party. The Black Rod having summond the representatives of the people from the Lower House (which had met formally at 2.30), Mr Speaker (the Hon. C. E. Statham, in a flowing full bottomed wig, which had not been* seen since the days of Hon. A. R. Guinnefis, occupied the chair), attended by the Sergeant-at-Arms and Clerk of the House appeared, followed by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, Cabinet Ministers and members generally. The Governor-General’s speech which was of unusual length, was read in a clear voice, audible in all parts of the Chamber.

GOVERNOR’S SPEECH. Honourable gentlemen of the Legislative Council and gentlemen of the House of Representatives : During the recess, the marriage of His Royal Highness, the Duke of York, has been solemnised. TKis happy event once more called forth manifestations of the loyalty and affection felt by the people of the Empire for their Majesties and the Royal family. On behalf of the people of this Dominion, I sent messages of congratulation to the King and to His Royal Highness on the occasion. Acting upon the advice of my Ministers, I have convened Parliament for a date somewhat earlier than is customary, in order that more time may be afforded for the work of the session, in the event of your determining that my Prime Minister should attend the Imperial Conferences in London which are to commence, on or about, the first day of October. My Ministers consider that only grave urgency in the Domestic affairs of our Dominion could excuse the absence of

the Prime Minister of New Zealand from the conferences called by the Prime Minister of Great Britain, for the consideration of matters, which concern the Empire of which it is our privilege to be an integral part. Divergence of interest and of policy in the various selfgoverning countries which constitute the Empire must in the future, as in the past, create difficulties which can only be disposed of, by that personal exchange of views which is provided by meetings of the Prime Ministers. Steadily but surely, methods are being evolved from the Imperial Conferences by which the self-governing countries, constituting the Empire, may preserve their union under a common sovereign, without diminishing of the complete autonomy of each within its own boundaries. That process demands the vigilant attention of every Prime Minister. Another general purpose of the conferences, of almost equal importance, involves the relation of the dominions in the foreign policy of the Empire and the provision of the opportunity for a confidential discussion of the present problems and probable events of the near -future, so that the Empire may continue to be united in a single purpose, when its existence, or its interests are assailed. . New Zealand by its position in the Pacific Ocean, by its government of distant islands, and by its administration of Western Samoa, under the King’s acceptance of the man-

date of the League of Nations, is intimately concerned with certain aspects of British foreign policy, its Prime Minister has therefore, important duties in that part of the work of the conference. In addition to his share in determining the internal relations between the countries of the Empire, and the commercial and legislative aspects of every proposal, highly important discussions on naval, military and air defence will also take place. The first report by the New Zealand Government of its administration of Western Samoa under the League of Nations was considered by the Third Assembly of the League, last year and received commendation from the commission appointed, under (he terms of the Covenant to advise the Council of the League. The procedure of that commission and certain criticisms contained in its report, especially in relation to Nauru Island (in which New Zealand is also concerned), led to protests by the New Zealand delegates at the Assembly, against a method which created an impression that New Zealand’s administration as the mandatory power, is subject to public comment from subordinate commissions appointed by the Council of the League. My Ministers are clearly of the opinion that no Government which has accepted a mandate under the League can submit to public criticism of its administration, or its conduct from any other body than the Council. Hiough the Mandatory Commission is free to advise the Council in any terms it thinks fit, the responsibility of control is con ferred by the coheritor upon the Council of the League, not upon its committees, and the Council alone, has the authority to determine whether the criticisms of the Commission are justified and whether public comment on every detail of such criticism is desirable, in the public interest. It is a matter for satisfaction that the mandated territory of Western Samoa continues to make steady advancement under New Zealand control. The relations between the inhabitants, both European and native, and the Administration are showing a very satiafac tory improvement. The result of our share in the control of the phosphate deposits of Nauru has been satisfactory, and the demand in New Zealand for phosphate rock has increased. The quota to which New Zealand is primarily entitled, namely 18 per cent., has been approximately utilised during the past year.

Attention has been given during tbe recess, to the important work of the compilation of Statutes, but the prooNß baa been somewhat delayed by the necee sity for the services of an additional judge of the Supreme Court and thia baa been filled by the temporary appointment of the Compiler of Statutes, the Hon Sir Frederick Chapman, to that office.

Bills consolidating the Companies Acta, the Chattels Transfer Act, the Land and Income Tax Act, the Harbours Act and the Stamp Lews, will be laid before you. The very difficult and important work of consolidating the Dominion Land Lavra, has also been undertaken, as the result of a lengthy and elaborate measure, will be submitted for your consideration. Last year, an Act was passed in the Imperial Parliament dealing at great length, with the subject of simplification of the laws relating to land titles. In this Dominion, there are two distinct, but concurrent systems of title and tenure, namely the lands transfer system, and tbe conveyancing and deeds registry system. With regard to the latter system, tbe law is founded upon the lands laws of England before 1840, as modified first by the Conveyancing Ordinance and later by our Property Law Consolidation Act, 1908. In some respects the recent English Act, by its amendments of tbe law, creates a further difference between tbs law relating to title and conveyancing in New Zealand and that ruling in England. My Government has given fuller consideration to this subject and has decided to submit to you, legislation which will have the effect of bringing titles to all lands in New Zealand, under the provisions of the Land Transfer Act, within a period of ten years. The method of deeds registry, has already produced such a multiplication of volumes and records, as to render search against encumbrances difficult. The proposal necessarily involves a temporary issue of provisional certificates of title, where surveys are incomplete, or titles defective, but a limit of time is provided after which the provisional certificate shall become absolute, unless contested. Tbe possession by New Zealand and by Great Britain of ports and localities, where whaling vessels concentrate, hw induced the hope that some effective means of controlling that enterprise, with due regard to the interests of foreign vessels engaged therein, may be devised. I hope that it may be possible to lay before you during your prreent session, correspondence which haa recently taken place between His Majmty’s Government and my Government on this subject. During the past year immigration from Great Britain haa progressed satisfactorily, special facilities being extended for farmers, farm labourers and all classes of skilled artisans required for secondary industries. Under the Empire Act, provision was made enabling the Imperial Government to co-operate in furthering British settlement in His Majesty’s dominions, and my Ministers have been able to arrange for a very low scale of passage rates, which should be the means of inducing the steady flow of British immigrants to our shores, without disturbing the industrial conditions of the Dominion. Acquisition by foreigners of the status of British subjects within New Zealand by the procem of naturalisation, has demanded careful consideration, and a measure will ba submitted to you repealing the Aliena Act 1908, and its amendments and substituting a new law incorporating certain provisions of the Imperial Act of 1904, but excluding the adoption of part 2 of that Act, which provides that naturalisation in any part of the Empire should confer the rights of a British subject, in every other part or Government. After full diaeiMMinn, the Imperial Government has decided to ask the New Zealand Parliament to adhere to the principle which has prevailed hitherto, that the rights of a British subject in New Zealand, which include the exercise of the franchise, shall be acquired only by such foreigners as have resided for some considerable time in New Zealand, and have proved by their conduct, during that residence, that they are fit persons to share with us in the government of the Dominion. I deeply regret that since I last met you, the Dominion has lost through death, the valuable cervices of Sir Wil liam Herbert Hen-ice, a member of the Executive Council, and for many years a very highly respected member of the New Zealand Parliament.

Mr Speaker and gentlemen of the House of Representatives:— The results of the financial year ending on March 31 last, have been extremely satisfactory. The reduction in expendi turn as compared with the previous year, amounted to £2,203,078 and notwithstanding the remissions in taxation granted by Parliament last year, the revenue has exceeded the estimate by £1,329,44.3 The result is a surplus of actual revenue over actual expenditure of £1.315,683. It is gratifying to have so substantially a proof of the prosperity of the country generally, and of the success of its industries. Evidence of the Dominion’s credit is in addition afforded by the terms of the loan floated in London, in the month of May, for the sum of £4,000,000, at the rate of 4 per cent, issued at 92. The loan waa largely oversubscribed and the reduction in the rate of interest ensures a substantial relief of the burden of our revenues, as compared with the rates on previous recent loans. The estimates for the current year have been prepared on a basis of that rigid economy in public expenditure which my Ministers regard as essential. The burden of taxation was largely increased by the war and reductions of that burden can only be effected consistently with safe finance by curtailment of expenditure from the Consolidated Fund and by careful limitation of the extent to which the Public Works Fund, consisting of borrowed money, is utilised.

I have observed with deep regret, and sincere sympathy for the sufferers, the damage caused by the recent floods in various parts of the Dominion, especially in the. South Island. My Government has already, in reliance cn your confirmation, provided moneys to aid persons who have lost property and public bodies which are unable to repair great damage, but it is clear that further proviaion from the Public Works Fund will be necessary towards the restoration of roads and bridges damaged or destroyed. Tbe Main Highways Board, under the Act of last year, has recently been appointed. Provision of money urgently required for the essential operations which the Board is to conduct and control, is a matter which my Ministers consider will require your early and careful attention. The position of our Returned Soldiers has received anxious considerstion from my Ministers. It will be remembered that two classes of advances for repatriation purposes have been established, the first for the provision of land for soldiers desiring to settle, which was later intended to provide for the erection of houses on the farms of such soldiers, and tbe second, for enabling returned soldiers to undertake trading and other forms of industry, apart from land. This latter class, also included provision of advances for the purchase of furniture. With regard to the second class of ad vance, the record of the soldiers is one of which the Dominion may well be proud. Advances of this class have amounted to the gross total £2,330,000 nominally secured on chattels, but really resting on tbe honour and good faith of the men who received the money. No lees than £1,260,545 of capital advance, has actually been returned. In the vast majority of cases all interest has been paid, and only a small amount is in arrears. Leas than 3 per cent, of those to whom such advances were made, have failed to meet their obligations, and in the majority of those few cases, the failure has been due to misfortune, but it is ths firm class that of advances upon land for eattle-