PARLIAMENT

Southland Times, Issue 19281, 27 June 1924, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

THE SESSION OPENS SPEECH FROM THE THRONE LORD JELLICOE SAYS GOOD-BYE. MOTIONS TO BE INTRODUCED. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 26. The third session | of the 21st Parliament of New Zealand opened this afternoon in fine, sunny weather, though the wind at times was rather boisterous. The facade of Parliament House was beflagged and there was a large assembly of people on the lawn. The Wellington College Cadets, under Captain Renner, provided a Guard of Honour, and the Ist Wellington Battalion Band was present. The occasion held added interest for the public, owing to the fact that it is probably the last on which Lord Jellicoe will be taking an official part as the representative of the King. The day was notable in that it was favoured by the most genial weather of any opening of Parliament during the five years Lord Jellicoe has been Governor-General. Punctually at 2.30 His Excellency arrived and was received by Major General Melville, Commandant of the Forces. The Royal Salute having been given, Lord Jellicoe inspected the Guard, and then proceeded to the Legislative Council where the Speech from the Throne was read to the assembled members of both Houses. The scene in the Legislative Council Chambers before the arrival of the King’s representative was an animated one. The galleries were full, ladies preponderating, while on the floor there was almost a full attendance of members. On the left of the Speaker, Sir Walter Carncross, were Viscountess Jellicoe and a number of Ministers’ wives, with Mrs Salmon, representing Mrs Massey. Mrs R. J. Seddon also had a place here. The general buzz of conversation suddenly hushed two or three minutes after the halfhour when Black Rod (Mr Bothamiey), who is making his last appearance in that role, ushered in the Vice-Regal Party, the Governor-General and his aides-de-camp, including members of the General Staff. All present stood till His Excellency was seated, when he commanded them to resume their seats. Black Rod then departed to summon the members of the Lower House, who presently filed into the Chamber, led by the Speaker (Hon. C. E. Statham l , and attended by the Clerk of the House (Mr E. W. Kane), and the Sergeant- at-Arms (Major F. Browne). Then came Mr Massey and members of the Ministry and of the House disposed themselves in seats under the Gallery. Lord Jellicoe then read the Speech as follows: GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S SPEECH. Honourable gentlemen of the Legislative Council and gentlemen of the House of Representatives:— The necessity of the attendance of my Prime Minister at the Imperial Conference and the Imperial Economic Conferences in London last year, which had rendered it desirable to summon the General Assembly to meet at an earlier date than is customary, also led to the session closing before the usual time. In consequence the recess has exceeded the normal period. The resignation of His Majesty’s Government as the result of the General Election held shortly after the Imperial Conferences referred to, was followed by the accession to power of an entirely new Administration which has in some important matters arrived at conclusions differing from the resolutions reached by those Conferences. However much they may regret this result, My Ministers recognise clearly that an Administration whose prime Minister was not present and which was not otherwise represented at the Imperial Conferences must necessarily be absolutely free to determine whether it will or will not support in Parliament resolutions passed at such Conferences. The policy of this Dominion which provides special Preference to British trade was adopted without request on our part of reciprocal treatment, and remains unaffected. My Ministers will propose an extension of that Preference by an increase in the proportion of British productions or manufactures which give title to the advantage in Customs duties. The Special Service Squadron of the Royal Navy under the command of Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick Field, received an enthusiastic welcome from the people of New Zealand. The presence in our waters of so large a number of His Majesty’s ships headed by the magnificent battle-cniiser Hood, and the generous opportunity granted for public inspection, enabled many to appreciate the power of the great service of which those ships form a part, and to which New Zealand has so recently owed the preservation of her trade and commerce during the war. In one ship of the Squadron, the light cruiser Dunedin, New Zealand has a special interest, since that vessel of the modern design has been selected by the Admiralty to replace the Chatham in the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy. I was also glad with my Ministers to welcome the presence in the Squadron of the Adelaide, one of the ships of the Royal Australian Navy. The subsequent voyage of the Squadron along the coasts of the Western Samoan Islands and its stay for a time off Apia, has afforded great satisfaction to my Ministers and to the Administration of the Islands. It was of‘special importance that the natives of Samoa should have the opportunity thus provided for them. The British Empire Exhibition at Wembley, recently opened by His Majesty, is attracting great numbers of visitors, not only from the people of Great Britain but also from all the territories of the Empire. The principal object of the Exhibition, to provide specimens of the products of the various parts of the Empire for the inspection of those interested in the relative trades, will be completely served, so far as the Dominion is concerned, by the efforts of oiir country to ensure a complete exhibition of its products, and my Ministers have reason to hope that the financial results will not disappoint the Governments who have rendered themselves responsible for the large expense involved. My Ministers availed themselves of the voluntary services of a number of gentlemen in New Zealand who agreed to act as an Advisory Council. The Dominion is much indebted to those gentlemen for the interest they showed, and the care and attention they gave to insure the full representation of our principal industries. On their advice, Mr A. F. Roberts was appointed New Zealand Commissioner to the Exhibition. The British Nationality and Status of Aliens in New Zealand Act of your last session, which was reserved for His Majesty’s assent has recently received the Royal Approval and has become part of the Law of New Zealand, and is also now operative under our mandatory authority in Western Samoa. Very satisfactory progress has been made for the relief of discharged soldier settlers by the Dominion Board established by the legislation of last session. With the assistance of the District Valuation Committees the Board has been able to consider a very large number of applicants, and my Ministers trust it will be found that the process of revaluation and reduction of rent and interest, and in some cases of capital, will enable the majority of our discharged soldiers settled on the land to look forward to success with renewed hope. It has for some time been recognised that the main difficulty arises in cases where the land was purchased by the soldiers themselves from private individuals, with a first mortgage to the Crown for its advance, and inbridiary mortgagee to the veadua. In

a number of instances of this class the Board has been able to effect satisfactory arrangements as between the mortgagor and the second mortgagee. The policy established by the Act together with the approaching termination of the General Mortgagees Extension necessitated the increase (provided by your Act of last session) of the maximum amount permitted under the State Advances Act from £2OOO to £3500 for settlers, and from £750 to £2500 for workers, and the increase) by £2,250,000 of the authorisation of loan for advances to settlers and workers. Applications for advances have been received far in excess of the increased authorisation. The success of the efforts of the State Advances Department to cope with the increased demand is exemplified by the fact that during the financial year ended the 31st March, loans to the amount of £8,066,202 were authorised and £6,205,686 actually paid. Further moneys are being supplied to the Office and a constant effort is maintained to deal speedily with all applications. The effect of the Meat Export Control Act followed by the Dairy Industry Control Act of your last session has been satisfactory to the producers. The establishof Boards with statutory authority to negotiate for shipping and freights, and to control the rate of supply to markets abroad has already provided many beneficial results and the fruit producers of the Dominion have indicated a desire for the establishment of a Fruit Industry Control Board with similar powers. Legislation with that object has been prepared and will be submitted for your consideration. The Main Highways Beard has been established and has done much valuable preliminary work including the definition of a number of Main Highways. You will be asked to consider ways and means for providing sufficient funds to enable the important duties of the Board to be carried out. The Mortgages Extension Acts expire at the end of the present year and it is not considered advisable to continue the automatic operation of the extension beyond that period. The present Acts apply only to mortgages executed before October, 1919, and there is reason to believe that the great majority of the mortgages have already been the subject of arrangement between the several mortgagors and mortgagees, having the effect of excluding the statutory extension, but it is also believed that there are a limited number of cases where the immediate removal of all protection might create considerable hardship to the mortgagors. My Ministers will therefore submit to you legislation which, while allowing the general protection to expire at the end of the present year, will entitle mortgagors who can prove special hardship, to apply to a Supreme Court Judge for a further extension not ere.offing two years. Under the previous Acts the mortgagee has always had the right to apply to the Court for leave to exercise his powers, though very little advantage has been taken of the statutes in that respect. Under the measure to be proposed to you, any mortgagor who desires an extension is compelled to apply to the Court for an opportunity to prove his case and to satisfy the Court that there are special reasons in his case which justify a brief extension. Measures of special importance which were in part before you last session, will my Ministers hope, be agreed to and become law during your present session. The first is a Bill to consolidate and simplify the Land Laws of the Dominion under the provisions of the Land Transfer Act within a definite period, with provision for the issue of provisional certificates in the case of infirm titles. Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives— The Royal Commission appointed to consider the system and incidence of the land and income taxation in New Zealand has presented a unanimous report which in due course will be laid upon the table of your House. The report of another Commission appointed to consider the effect of Forestry Reserves upon the revenues of local bodies has also been received by me and will be made available for your deliberations. The receipts of revenue during the last financial year have been satisfactory. Economy has been, practised in all departments, the results being that the accounts of the year closed with a surplus of £1,812,366. Proposals for certain remissions of taxation will be submitted. Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : Two specially qualified gentlemen from England are at present engaged in investigating the conditions appertaining to the railways of New South Wales. My Ministers propose to take advantage of their presence in Australia to institute a Royal Commission, of which they will be members, to carry out an exhaustive inquiry into the whole system and control or our New Zealand Railways, and to advise thereon. The subject of fishing rights in the interior waters of the Dominion has been under the consideration of my Government. Legislation is necessary to prevent the sale of such rights whether in gross or as attached to riparian ownership, and especially to prevent the acquisition by persons not resident in the Dominion of power to exclude others from certain waters. A Bill having those objects will be laid before you. My Ministers anticipate that you may find it necessary to postpone finally settling .the whole subject matter, pending special investigation into the nature and existence of rights, but that you may consider it sufficient in the meantime to prohibit any such dealings. In addition to the legislation to which I have made special reference, you will have submitted for consideration along with other measures Bills dealing with the Stamp Laws, the Chattels Security Acts, Motor Vehicles, Copywright, Public Works, Education, Defence, Local Bodies Loans, War Funds, Police Offences and Public Debt Reduction. My term of office as Governor-General of New Zealand will expire at the end of September next, and I shall be leaving the Dominion towards the end of November. The severance of ties which have with everincreasing strength bound me in close attachment to the people of New Zealand will cause the deepest possible regret. Our sojourn here has been a time of great interest and of unalloyed happiness to Her Excellency and myself. As the representative of His Majesty, I have witnessed with the keenest satisfaction the spirit of fervent loyalty to the Throne and Empire which is so marked a characteristic of the people of New Zealand and of which so many proofs have been given. I have watched with great pleasure the increase of production and the growth in trade of the Dominion, and the manner in which recovery from the aftermath of war has been effected is a subject for sincere congratulations. The birth and development of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy during my term of office and the high standard attained by the recruits entering the service have been of much interest to me as a Naval officer. To the past and present members of the two Houses of the Legislature with whom I have been associated, I beg to express my deep appreciation of their uniform courtesy and consideration. I should like to take this opportunity also of voicing my warmest gratitude to the people of the Dominion for their exceeding kindness to Her Excellency, to myself and to the members of our family. The future prosperity of New Zealand and the welfare and happiness of the people will ever be matters of profound interest to me. Finally, I express the earnest hope that Divine Providence may guide your deliberations and further the welfare of the people of the Dominion.

The reading occupied 17 minutes and Hie Excellency’s voice was clearly heard in all parts of the Chamber. On the conclusion of the Speech, His Excellency and suite departed. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. After an interval the Council met formally, when the Speaker announced that the deaths of Hons. Louisson and Dr Newman had occurred during the recess. He also read formal notices of his own re-appoint-ment as a Member of the Council and the appointments of Sir Frederick Lang and Messrs A. S. Malcolm and V. H. Reed to be Members. Sir Francis Bell, Leader of the Council, extended congratulations to Sir W. Carncross on his re-appointment and introduced Sir Frederick Lang, who was sworn in. Sir Francis Bell then said that the Speakership had become vacant as a result of Sir W. Carncross’s term having expired. He automatically continued to exercise office for 14 days, and Sir Francis Beil moved that the Council proceed to the election of a Speaker on July 10. Sir Frederick Lang gave notice of intention to move that a respectful address be tendered to the Governor-General in reply to his Speech from the Throne. Sir Francis Bell said it was proposed that the Council should meet to-morrow to discuss motions of condolence on the death# of Hons. Louisson and Dr Newman. After that it would probably be required to deal with the Imprest Supply Bill, and on Tuesday next the Address-in-Reply would >*• taken. The Council adjourned at 3J5. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House of Representatives met at 2.30, when there was a full attendance of members, the only absentees being Mr L. M. Isitt on the Liberal ride, and on the Government's side Mr T. D. Burnett, who is at present in Hospital. After the Speaker had taken the Chair and opened proceedings with the customary prayer, Black Rod entered the Chamber and 'announced that His Excellency the Governor-General desired the attendance of members in the Legislative Council to hear his Speech. Led by the Speaker, the Ministers and Members trooped out to participate in the ceremony about to commence “in another place.” On returning to the Chamber at 2J55, the work of the session was commenced by Members giving notice of questions to Ministers and notice of intention to move certain motions. Amongst the former were several dealing with various phases of the Pensions system and the Moratorium. Mr J. Bitchener gave notice of his intention to move that a Respectful Address be pro* seated to His Excellency in reply to his Speech. Mr T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition), intimated his intention to move an amendment to the Addnss-in-Reply. Mr T. K. Sidey gave notice of intention to introduce a Summer Time BilL Mr Wilford gave notice of intention to introduce a Justice of the Peace Amendment Bill. Mr H. E. Holland (Leader of the Labour Party) gave notice of intention to ask the Premier whether he proposes to give full effect to the Labour cisuses of the Peace Treaty, and thus conserve to the workers of the Dominion the privileges to which they are therein entitled. Mr Massey formally mo’-ra the first reading of the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill, which was agreed tft. In reply to Mr Wilford, Mr Xaswy said his present opinion was that the Imprest Supply Bill would require to be passed tomorrow, otherwise, he understood, a great deal of inconvenience would arise. The business of the day having concluded, the House rose at 8.25 jun. until 2.30 pjn. to-morrow.