GOVERNOR’S SPEECH

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144130, 27 June 1913, Page 3

GOVERNOR’S SPEECH

PROPOSED LEGISLATION. SOME INTERESTING PROJECTS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Juno 27. The Governor’s speech,, delivered this afternoon, was as follows: — Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of tho House of iiepresentatires, — It gives mo much pleasure to meet you for the first time in Parliament assembled. Tho loyal and enthusiastic welcome with-which I was received as His Majesty’s representative by the people ol this Dominion upon my arrival was especially gratifying, and the warm receptions wuich were accorded to me by Iris Majesty's Maori subjects were regarded with feelings ot deep appreciation. Those demons! rations I look on as sincere expressions of the loyalty to our sovereign entertained by the whole of his subjects in this Dominion. Sinco assuming the responsibilities of the Government I have visited various parts of the North and South. Islands and have taken, every opportunity ol making myself familiar with tho general circumstances of the country and the aspirations of the people. It has given me pleasure in tlio course of my visits to become known to largo numbers of the inhabitants of the Dominion. I have observed vac.i the deepest interest the resources ■ and potentialities of tho country and the many signs of prosperity and comfort that are apparent in the lives of tho people. I feed confident that when the great natural advantages which this country possesses become more really known in Great Britain many suitable settler's will be attracted to its shores. It is pleasing for mo to be able to announce that the volume of trade during the past year was the largest recorded in tiro history of the Dominion. The outlook for tho coming season is bright, and although a world-wido financial stringency, caused -by tho disturbed condition of affairs in Europe and by the large and extraordinary demands for money, has not disappeared, still there is every reason to believe that the experience through which New Zealand and other countries are passing is only transient, and that, notwithstanding temporary financial restriction, 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 King George of Greece, the brother of Queen Alexandra, was received in this Dominion with profound regret. The messages of sympathy from the Government and people of New Zealand, which wore transmitted by mo to the Queen Mother, were duly acknowledged. \I deeply regret that death has removed two much esteemed members of tho General Assembly in the persons of Sir Arthur Robert Guinness, late Speaker of the House of llopresentatives, and Sir William Jukes Steward, a member of tho Legislative Council and 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 citirons ami school children to visit the ship during her stay in New Zealand waters. 'The agricultural and, pastoral industries of tho Dominion stall continue to expand and tho constant demand for email areas of land points to the conclusion that tho future of New Zealand is closely bound up with development in tiie country districts and that land suitable for settlement, whether Crown land, Native land or privatelyowned land cannot bo allowed to remain unproductive, but must be utilised for the benefit of tho 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 wiil be laid before you showing the area of lan-.-, purchased ana subdivided, in pursuance of the powers contained in tins statute. The subdivision of privately-otyned estates is also proceeding satisfactorily. Tho 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 resources 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 tho Crown, to exchange their leases for freehold titles. A measure will be submitted for your consideration extending the principle contained in the legislation or last year to lands held upon lease under the Land for Settlement Act and also providing for more satisfactory settlement of the land in mining districts,, while at the same time preserving mining right? and privileges. The leases of a number of runs held from the Crown under pastoral license expired.during the past year and pending the result of legislation during the present session were renewed for,one year only. You will be asked to amend the law under which these lauds axe held, so as to give uerter security of tenure and more encouragement for improvement, with the object ’ of increasing the carrying capacity and productiveness of tho Targe areas of hill country suitable only for sheep fanning. , The rapid progress' of settlement in many parts of the Dominion accentuates the urgent necessity for improving the present means of. communication by the construction of branch railways. In response to numerous requests from group of settlers that they should be permitted to construct branch railways themselves my advir.rs propose to introduce legislation which will give effect to this expressed desire and at tho 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. ' Tho result of these conferences will he laid before you. • During the recess the Minister of Customs visited Australa and there entered into negotiations for reciprocal trade between tho Commonwealth of’ Australia and New Zealand. The papers relating to these negotiations will bo presented to Parliament. A reciprocal old ago pension agreementwas also discussed and proposals will, bo submitted to you for ratfioation this session. 1 am pleased to be able to inform yon that, with a Mew to establishing tho 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 bo gratified to learn that tho system of compulsory military training is firmly established and that its beneficial effect on the character and physique of the youth 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, Inspector-General of the Oversea Forces, to visit New Zealand. Tile invitation has been accepted, and this distinguished officer will arrive in the Dominion in April, 1914. It is a, matter tor congratulation that employment, especially in the rural districts, can be obtained without difficulty. It is proposed to submit for your consideration some important amendments to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, which it is hoped- , will enable the parties to industrial dispute's to effect a sjieedy and reasonable settlement without involving the country in trade dislocations and industrial ios ' t v s, which strikes and lock-outa invariably cause. A Bill consolidating and amending the Shops and Offices Act will also bo introduced. ' During the past year a considerable area of land has been purchased in pursuance of -the powers contained in . the Workers Dwellings Act. A BiE will bo introduced to enable the 'operations of this useful measure to be more easily applied to country districts. Tho estimates of expenditure for this'year will include a sum sufficient to provide for this work. A gentleman of high standing in the railway world has boon appointed General Manager of Railways and wiE take up his duties in September next. Mr. H. W. Northcrpft, 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. The important question of the settlement of areas of unused Native land has received the earnest consideration of my advisers and a Bill wEI be laid before you containing provisions which will make for the more expeditions settlement of such lands. A measure dealing with the rating of Native lands will also be submitted to you. A section of tho Royal Commission appointed by his Majesty to inquire into tho trade of the Empire visited Now Zealand and every facility was afforded to enable it to gain the fullest inferm-Hon regarding the trade of the Dominion. Coiiui-ssioners were appointed during the recess tp inquire into the subjects, of forestry ' and tho working of the Public Trust Office. The reports of these commissions wiE be duly placed before you. Gentlemen of tho House of Representatives, —• 'Die 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 bo pleased to hear that hia mission was eminently successful and that,, notwithstanding the existence of , unfavourable financial conditions in England, ho was able 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. The public revenue is steadily. increasing and you will doubtless be gratified to learn that as a result of the increased taxation upon large estates the receipts derived from this source have been considerably augmented and, more important still, that subdivision and settlement have been encouraged and accelerated. The estimates for the services of the ensuing year will bo laid before you without delay. Honourable Gentlemen of the 'Legislatjve Council and Gentlemen ot the House of Representatives,— A measure will be submitted to you providing for the reform of thq Legislative Council in a manner which my advisers believe will increase the usefulness of that branch of the Legislature. Proposals will ho introduced by which it is hoped that the. cost of living will bo lessened to persons of sma.i incomes. . There are now N ready for your consideration BiUs consolidating and amending the law relating to pensions. A measure to bring the law of copyright into line with the law of Groat Britain and other lexiing European nations,, measures amending the existing statutes affecting local bodies, a graduated income-tax Bill, a conso [relation and amendment of the State Guaranteed Advances Acts, an amendment of the Public Revenues Act, an amendment of tho Land Transfer Act, a Bill defining the law of libel, measures enabling advances to be made to. persons engaged in the fruit industry, N 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 be placed before you. All these measures, designed as they have been in the' interests of_tho people who inhabit this Dominion,’ I confide to your careful attention, and I trust that the Divine Providence wiE bless your efforts, discharge efficiently your onerous duties. .