PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 29, 28 July 1911, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

OI'KXIXG DAY. TiirusDAV, .in.v 27, inn. TilH GQVJiUXOK'S SPEECH. Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the Htiu'se of Representatives— It affords me much pleasure to again meet you in Parliament assembled. During the recess I have visited most of the larger centres of the Dominion, and several of the outlying districts, and have made myself acquainted with the people. My preconceptions regarding their loyalty to the throne and their devotion to our most gracious Sovereign have been amply confirmed. This greatly enhanced the pleasure of my vieits, and most gratifying'to me as the representative of his Majesty, and also personally. THE CORONATION of his most gracious Majesty King George V. took place on June 22 withbefitting ceremony, and the loyalty and enthusiasm displayed not only in Great Britain and Ireland but also throughout his Majesty's vast dominions, show that his subjects far and wide regard him as no unworthy successor to his noble father, and that it is with infinite trust they leave in his hands the onerous and arduous task of guiding the destinies of the Empire through all the difficulties and complications of domestic and international affairs. Congratulations were sent to his Majesty from the Government and the; people of New Zealand, and addresses were sent from the women of the Dominion and from the Maori population. These were most graciously received and acknowledged to the people of New Zealand, in common with those of the other oversea dominions. The ceremony was of unprecedented interest, in, view of the fact that his Majesty, as Duke of Cornwall and York, was the first of his illustrious line to visit every portion of the Empire.

AX IMPERIAL CONFERENCE of the Prime Ministers* of the oversea dominions and the representatives of the British Cabinc' "as summoned to meet in London. This Conference was attended by our Prime Minister and'the Attorney-General. The results of that Conference have been most satisfactory, and the details of its proceediilgs will be placed before you.

THE WEBSTER CLAIM. The claim made by the Government of the United States of America against the Imperial Government, known as the Wc lister claim, has received careful attention by the Prime Minister and the Attorney-General. Your representatives had several conferences with the BritUh Embassy in America, and also with the Home Government in London, - which have resulted in an arrangement' between the Home Government and the Government of this country which they consider completely satisfactory to the interests of New Zealand. DEATH OF A LEGISLATOR. During the last twelve months death has removed the Hon. William Cowper Smith, of the Legislative Council, a gentleman who had earned for himself the esteem and respect of both branches of the Legislature. PROSPERITY OP THE DOMINION.

I am glad to be able to congratulate you on the continued prosperity of the Dominion and on the increase in J;|ie material well-being of the people,-as evidenced by the returns and the reports of the State service. The condition of the people generally is much improved. Contentment and happiness obtain everywhere, and the outlook for our producers and for those engaged in manufacture, trade and commerce is encouraging.

OUR EXPORTS. The farming industry, equally with the other' industries of New Zealand, continues to develop not only rapidly but on a firmer basis than in'the past, for although live stock products still form the great bulk of our exports, and wool easily maintains its position as the most valuable of these, yet the Dominion is by no means so dependent as formerly upon the price of any one staple. The closer settlement of extensive tracts of country once grazed in large areas is now reflected not only in the increased value but also in the greater diversity of our exports of farm produce, the most noticeable features in this healthy change being the increases in the production of lamb, butter and cheese. Having in view the conditions of the world's markets for the commodities that New Zealand exports, and also the probable effect on the compel ;t ion of other countries, mv advisers consider there is everv reason to expect .•> continuance or even an augmentation of the prosperity wtjieh has lately characterised the trade'and industry of the Dominion. ASSISTING SETTLEMENT.

During the past year my advisers have continued the work of assisting settlement of the country by steadily pursuing the construction of railways, roads and bridges in various parts of the Dominion under the authorities granted bv Parliament. The means of communication in districts more remote from the principal settlements have been appreciably improved by the formation and extension of roads and tracks. More progress might have been made in this direction but for the fact that during last year the labor which was expected to be available for road works during the summer was to a larger extent than usual absorbed in other industrial pursuits and was not obtainable durin» the months most favorable for work in the backblocks.

CANADIAN MAIL SERVICE. My advisers have completed arrangements on satisfactory terms for the establishment of a mail service between New Zealand and Canada, via Fiji and Hawaii. The service from New Zealand will commence on August 4 next and from Canada on September f>. RESULTS OP THE CENSUS. The results of the last census is most gratifying, the population having increased to over one million, exclusive of Maoris. The Maori population shows an increase of 2000. Exclusive of Maoris, ';he increase since the census of 11)06 is H'9,820. The estimated population to March 31. 1911, was 1,000,757, a difference of only 1850 from the census population of two days later, which must be considered a very close estimate. The estimated increase by births during the five years since 1900' was 80.3fi7, and the, increase by immigration 36.712. The aP rivals in the Dominion have been largely in excess of the departures. _ The Representation Commission, to delimit the boundaries of the electorates on the basis of population statistics revealed hv the census, is sitting, and the results of its labors will be duly placed before you.

EMIGRATION. My "Ministers have continued their policy of granting assistance towards the payment, of passages of farm laborers and domestic workers from the United Kingdom, and during the year the number of persons thus assisted amounted to 2024. By arrangements made with the shipping companies trading to the Dominion, young women domestic workers were enabled to obtain passages at a much reduced rate, and included in the number mentioned above there were 831 of these workers.

LAND FOR CLOSER SETTLEMENT. : The demand for land for closer settle- ■! ment still continues, and under the Land for Settlement Act every endeavor is being made to acquire land for this puv . pose. The areas, however, that are suitable ami that can be secured at a reasonable price are becoming restricted. On the other hand, under the Land Settlement Finance Act very satisfactory progress is being made, and as time goes 1 on it is expected that the provisions of 1 this Act will be more largely taken advantage of. | NATIVE LANDS, j The goneral benefit arising from recent 'legislation affecting native lands is now being felt in all parts of the Dominion, j The natives show a strong desire to | bring tKemselves into touch with closer | settlement. They are using the machin- | ery of the Native Land Court and Boards freely for the adjustment of titles, and 1 the disposal of their lands. The Native Land Purchase Board has acquired a considerable area of land which will be further augmented as soon as the necessary surveys and valuations now being pushed on vigorously are completed. I HOSPITAL MATTERS. The recent conference of hospital authorities and HTeTone of the discussion on j the various important problems with j which the hospital boards are confronted show that they are very much alive to the need for a general extension of our • hospital system jn the direction of the preventing as well as the cure of disease, j The decisions arrived at by the confer-ence-were based on an intimate knowledge of the needs of the Dominion, and my advisers are giving them careful consideration. COMMISSIONS' REPORTS. I In the commission appointed under the ; Gaming Amendment Act of last session, the commission appointed to enquire in(to the route of the North Auckland Main Trunk railway, and the commission appointed under the Kaiapoi Reserves Act, have concluded their enquiries, and submitted their reports. These will be placed before you in due course.

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.

The estimates of the revenue and expenditure for the year will be placed before you. They • have been prepared with due regard to economy consistent with efficiency. The revenue for the past year exceeded the estimate, and shows an increase upon that for the previous financial year. I am therefore pleased to say that the year's transactions have resulted in a substantial surplus.

POST AUDIT SYSTEM. The post audit system has been introduced. and is working smoothly and satisfactorily, and is decidedly conducive to prompter payment. THE XATIOKATj PROVIDENT FUND ACT of last session is now in operation, placing within easy reach of our people the means of lightening the burdens of maternity as well as protecting the young family and ensuring independence in old age. THE HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEME. The professional gentleman selected by mv adyisers to act as chief electrical engineer in connection with the development of hydro-electrical power, has arrived in the Dominion, and has entered upon his duties with an energy and'enthusiasm which encourages the hope that the first scheme to be undertaken will "within a reasonable period be in , successful operation. Much valuable investigation in connection with this undertaking has been accomplished by the assistant electrical engineer, who was in charge for a short time pending the arrival of the principal electrical engineer from England.

IRRIGATION. < The survey work in connection with the important scheme for the irrigation of i a large area of suitable land in the Ma Valley, Central Otago, has been completed, and my responsible advisers are now in a position to enter into contracts for the supply of water to the landowners in accordance with the provisions of the authorising legislation passed during last session of Parliament. The I Last Chance" water-race, originally constructed and_ used for many years in i connection with mining operations, has been acquired by the Government on favorable terms, and it is proposed to utilise the race as a source of supply for j lA9. irrigation of considerable areas of land at Bald Hill, Karnaugh Flat, artd tlie intervening country. Other irrigation schemes presenting favorable features are receiving careful attention. GOLD AND SILVER. The output of gold and silver from ; our mines shows a slight decline, but i t us is more than compensated for bv the increase in the output of coal, which lor the first time has reached over two ■ ; million tons. | I THE MIMNO INDUSTRY produced minerals during the year to * otal Y al . UB of over three and threequarter millions sterling, and since the commencement of mining within the Dominion wealth to the value of one won niil,ionß !ias been THE LABOR MARKET. Tn regard to the labor market, I am informed that the outlook for the immediate future ls very promiging indee(L Although we are well- into the winter, tne applications for employment at the various bureaux of labor have been fewer than for many years past WORKERS' DWELLING ACT. has been taken in the sion JL i'-T passed last session under which workers in any part annW A "' 1 ar6 " 0W enabie(l to X !T t purchase of residences on payment of a small deposit of £lO, the balance being payable in easy instalments, covering twenty-five years and of i™r'" | rCSpmiS ° t0 the ,ar £ e number of applications received arrangements have already been completed for the erection of a number of dwellings. * INSURANCE AGAINST UNEMPLOY- , MENT. to ascertain whether a scheme for jnu"eniploymeiit should be Zealand, enquiries are being made into the various sahemcs formulated by Great Britain and other countries D f Europe, and the intention rou later" 1 '"" 10 "' W " 1 be aimounced t0 THE MILITARY SCHEME, n pursuance of the recommendations win n k'M'ener, and in accordance Willi (he general scheme of defence a comma nder of the defence forces has been appointed, and my advisers have been .foi lunate in securing the services of so c expert 118 Ma i° r - Genual Godley. I am R i a(l to | )0 aW(! to announce that under the new system itim, m ir Sa n tramin 8 brought into opern h J tllß Defence Act youths be--1 ® ages, of fourteen and twentyZl stored, and are now oeing medically examined for service in the senior cadets and territorial forces of the Dominion. The results of registrat.ion have been satisfactory, and rioHsm T Wl,id " t!, ' S CftJl 011 tilo P at ' h«!T *"V e ?? e of (h,t y of tll ° People as beei) highly commendable. The youths registered. will be posted to !JnnfiTfr nitS ° f tie forces > a "d it is confidently expected that the scheme adopted for the training, clothing and equipping 0 f t h e new force thus brought I into existence for the defence of the Do- > minion will very shortly be in full workI m S or^er - Apart from the military as-'

pect of the movement, and even if our men are never required to arm in defence of their country, the. physical training of our youths should produce a marked improvement in the discipline, efficiency and physique of the citizens of 1 Xew Zealand. The first of the training .wimps under the new scheme was established at Tauherenikau, and proved most successful. In connection with this a report by the Director of-Military Training will be duly placed before you, as appendix to the annual report of the general officer commanding. OUR DREADNOUGHT. I am happy to congratulate you upon the launching of the "Dreadnought of New Zealand," which took place at Glasgow on the first day of this month in the presence of a very large number of spectators. PRISON REFORM. The revision of the existing prison system is progressing steadily, and a, Prisons Board has been set up under the legislation of last session. A report of the operations of the Board will be furnished in due course. Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives. INSANITY REFORM. For some considerable time no substantial amendment has been made in the law relating to persons of unsound mind, and legislation dealing with mentally defective persons, nee'ding oversight, care and control Will be submitted to you. , NATIVE LAND ACT. A Bill amending the Native Land Act, 1909, will be submitted for your consideration. It will deal with various matters that have been noted in practice during the period since the Act came into operation. OTHER MEASURES.

Bills effecting an improvement in the existing law will be submitted to you in respect to workers' compensation, industrial conciliation and arbitration and wages protection, A measure dealing with the important question of town-planning will be submitted for your consideration. The question of the eradication of noxious weeds hase become one of vital importance. Something may be done to minimise the evil by regulating the sale of seeds, and a Bill dealing with the matter will be introduced.

The Administration Act, the Births and Deaths Registration Act, the Marriage Act, the Pharmacy Act, the Shipping and Seamen Acts, and the Mining Act require amendment in many important details, and measures for "that purpose will be submitted for consideration. Bills will also bo introduced dealing with loans to local bodies, local governmcn, patents designs and trade marks, the registration of plumbers, the sale of poisons, and other important matters. In view of the lengthy session of last year, and the large amount of important legislation which was then passed, my advisers are of opinion that the session may be a comparatively short one in order that the general election may bo completed as early as possible. Commending the proposals of my Ministers to your earnest attention, I pray that with the blessing of Almighty God the results of your labors may be for the good of the Empire and everlasting benefit to the people of New Zealand.