THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 44, 27 June 1913, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

LORD LIVERPOOL’S ADDRESS. (Special to “Stratford Post.”) Wellington, June 27. His Excellency, Lord Liverpool, Governor of the Dominion, delivered the following Speech this afternoon ; Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.

It gives me muoh pleasure to meet you for the first time in Parliament assembled. The loyal and enthusiastic welcome with which 1 was received as Hk Majesty’s representative by the people of this Dominion upon.my arrival, was specially gratifying and the warm receptions which were accorded to me by His Majesty’s Maori subjects were regarded with feelings of deep appreciation. These demonstrations I look on as sincere expressions of the loyalty to our Sovereign, entertained by the whole of his subjects in this Dominion. Since assuming the responsibilities of the Government I have visited various parts of the North and South Islands, and have taken every opportunity of making myself familiar with the general circumstances of' the country and the aspirations of the people. It has given me pleasure in the course of my visits to become known to large numbers of the inhabitants of the Dominion. I have observed with the deepest interest the resources and potentialities of the country and the nary signs of prosperity and comfort :hat are apparent in the lives of the people. I feel confident that when :iie groat natural advantages which mis country possesses become more really known in Great Britain, many •suitable settlers will be attracted to its shores. It is pleasing for me ■.o he able to announce that the volume of trade during the past year ,vas the largest recorded in the history of the Dominion. . The outlook i’or the coming season is bright, and ilthough a world wide financial stringency caused by the disturbed condition of affairs in Europe by large and >xtr aor din ary demands for money, has 30b disapepared, still there is every reason to believe that the experience rhrough which New Zealand and it her countries are passing is only transient, and that notwithstanding temporary financial restrictions the Dominion may look forward to another year of continued prosperity, and satisfactory remuneration for those engaged in her industries.

The news of the assassination of iving George of Greece, the brother if Queen Alexandra, was received in his Dominion with profound regret. The messages of sympathy from the Government and people of New Zeaand which was transmitted by me :o the Queen Mother, were duly acklo wl edged. I deeply regret that death has removed two much esteemed members of me General Assembly in the persons if Sir Arthur Robert Guinness, late Speaker of the House of Representatives and Sir William Jukes Steward, a member of the Legislative Council md a former Speaker of the House of Representatives. The arrival of H.M.S. New Zealand was appropriately celebrated, and every possible opportunity was afforded the citizens and school children to visit the ship during her stay in New Zealand waters.

The Agricultural and Pastoral industries of the Dominion still continue to expand, and the constant demand for small areas of land points to the conclusion that the future of New Zealand is closely hound with development in the country districts, and that land suitable for settlement, whether Crown land, native land, or pri-vately-owned land, cannot be allowed to remain unproductive, but must be utilised for the benefit of the Dominion as a whole. You will be glad to learn that during the recess the operations under the Land for Settlement Act have been extensive. Returns will be laid before you showing the area of land purchased and' subdivided, in pursuance of the powers contained in this Statute. The sub-division of pri-vately-owned estates is also proceeding satisfactorily. The construction of railways and the making of roads are being vigorously proceeded with, and no effort is being spared to develop the agricultural, pastoral, mining and other resourcer of the country. The legislation passed last session relative to the settlement and occupation of land, is working satisfactorily, and is enabling a considerable number of settlers who were holders of leases from the Crown, to exchange their leases for freehold titles. A measure will be submitted for your consideration extending the principle contained in the legislation* of last year to lands held upon lease under the Land for Settlement Act and also providing for more satisfactory settlement of land in mining districts, while at the same time preserving mining rights and privileges. The leases of a number of runs held from the Crown under pastoral license expired during the iwt to****, and pending the result of legislation during the present session wore reno--orl for*one year only. You will b* «sk«d to amend the law under which these

lands are held so as to give better security of tenure, and more encouragement for improvement with the object of increasing the carrying capacity and productiveness of the large areas of hill country suitable only for sheep farming. The rapid progress of settlement in many parts of the Dominion accentuates the urgent necessity for improving the present means of communication bj the construction of branch railways. In response to numerous requests from groups if settlers that they should be permitted to construct railways themselves, my advisers propose to introduce legislation which will give effect to this expressed desire and at the same time carefully safeguarding the public interests. During his visit to England the Hon. Minister of Defence discussed with representatives of His Majesty’s Government matters relating to naval defence in the Pacific; the result of these conferences will he laid before vou.

During the recess the Minister of Customs visited Australia, and there entered into negotiations for a reciprocal trade between the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand. The papers relating to those negotiations will be .presented to Parliament. A reciprocal old. age pension agreement was also discussed, and proposals will be submitted to you for ratification this session.

I am pleased to be able to inform you that with a view to establishing the fishing, industry of the Dominion upon a sound basis, the Government has arranged for the chief administrator of the Canadian Fisheries Department to visit New Zealand.

You will be gratified to learn that the system of compulsory military training is firmly established, and that its beneficial effect on the character and physique of the youths of the Dominion is already apparent. The excellent spirit which pervades the whole force, and the keenness displayed by all ranks augur well for the future. My Government has invited General Sir lan Hamilton, In-spector-General of the Over-seas Forces to visit New Zealand. The invi-' tation lias been accepted, and this distinguished officer will arrive in the Dominion in April, 1911. It is a matter for congratulation that employment, especially in the rural districts, can be obtained without difficulty. It is proposed to submit for your consideration some important amendment to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, which it is hoped will enable the parties to industrial disputes to effect a speedJy and reasonable settlement, without involving the country in trade dislocations and industrial losses which strikes and lockouts invariably cause. A Bill consolidating and amending the Shops and Offices Act will also be introduced.

During the past year a considerable area of land has been purchased in pursuance of the powers contained ip the Workers’ Dwellings Act. A Bill will he introduced to enable the operation of this useful measure to be more easily applied to country districts. Tiie estimates of expenditure .1 llls J ear will include a sum sufficient to provide for this work. A gentleman of high standing in 4,110 railway world lias been appointed general manager of railways, and will take up his duties in September next. Tl- W. Northcroft, N.Z.0., a gentleman well known throughout the Dominion, who served as a Stipendiary Magistrate for many years, has been appointed. Resident Commissioner at the Cook Islands. J ne important question of the settlement of areas of unused native land has received the earnest-consideration of my advisors, and a Bill will he'Lid before you containing provisions widen will make for the more expeditious settlement of such lands. A measure dealing with the rating of native lands will also he submitted, to you. A section of the Royal Commissions appointed by His Majesty to inquire . into the trade of the Empire, visited « V , Z ° aland > aild «very facility was afforded to enable it to gain the fullest information regarding the trade of the Dominion. Commissioners were appointed durshe recess to inquire into the suejects of forestry and the wc.king of the Public Trust Office. The report of these commissioners will be duly placed before you. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives :—The state of the country’s finance made it necessary that the Hon. the Minister of Finance should pay a visit to Great Britain during the recess. You will be pleased to hear that this mission was eminently successful, and that notwithstanding the existence of unfavourable financial conditions in England, he was alio to complete arrangements of a highly satisfactory character. Particulars of the various transactions which the Minister successfully negotiated will be submitted to you for consideration. 1 ho public revenue is steadily increasing, and you will doubtless be gratified to learn that as a result of the increased taxation upon large estate®, the receipts derived from this source have been considerably augmented, and, more important still, that subdivision and settlement have been encouraged and accepted. Ihe estimates for the services of the ensuing year will be laid before you without delay.

Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives. A measure will be submitted to you providing for the reform of the Legislative Council in a manner which my advisers believe will increase the usefulness of that branch of the legislature. Proposals will be Introduced by which it is hoped that the cost of living will be lessened to persons of small incomes. These are now ready lor your consideration. Bills consolidating and amending the law relating to pensions; a measure to bring the law of copyright into line with the law of Great Britain and other leading European nations: measures amending the existing Statutes affecting local bodies, a Graduated Income Tax Bill, a Consolidated Tax Bill, a Consolidation and Amendment of the State Guaranteed Advances Acts, an amendment of the Public Revenues Act, an amendment of the Land Transfer Act, a Bill defining the law of libel, measures enabling advances to he made to persons engaged in the fruit industry, amending the law governing the police force, altering the constitution of the. Public Trust Office Board, as well as other Bills dealing with matters of public interest will bo placed before you. All these meaurc;, designed as they have been in the interests of the people who inhabit. this Dominion I confide to you c«refnl attention, and I mist tlmt | Divine Providence will bless vour 1 efforta to discharge efficiently your j onerous duties.