Taranaki Herald. (DAILY EVENING.) SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 1913. THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144131, 28 June 1913, Page 2

Taranaki Herald. (DAILY EVENING.) SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 1913. THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

Though less wordy than many previous Speeches from the Throue, the speech delivered by his Excellency the Governor on Friday disclosed a legislative programme which is likely to keep Parliament fully occupied for the four months which the Prime Minister has given as the time required for dealing with the business. As this was Lord Liverpool’s first address to Parliament it was only to be expected that his Excellency would have something to say about his welcome to the Dominion and the keen interest he is prepared to take in the people and their pursuits. Brief reference had also to be made to -such striking events as the assassination of King George of Greece, the deaths of , New Zealand legislators since Parliament last rose, the visit of the Empire Trade Commission and of the battleship. When these subjects are eliminated, the Speech is commendahly brief and busi-ness-like. In strict accordance with the professions of the Deform Party when it was in Opposition, first place is given in the legislative programme to t land settlement. In this connection a measure is promised for the purpose of extending the privilege of securing the freehold to leaseholders under the Lands for Settlement Act, and also providing for the more satisfactory settlement of land in mining districts. The law respecting pastoral leases is also to be amended in the direction of giving better security of tenure, thus encouraging better use-of the land. The settlers along this coast will he pleased to notice that the Government has decided to introduce a measure giving power for the construction of district railways by the settlers interested, with, of course, proper safeguards for the public interest. In the event of Parliament being unable to provide funds for the early construction of a railway from Moturoa to Opunake, this measure will give the settlers power to undertake the work themselves on terms which have yet to be disclosed. No hint is given as to the nature of the naval defence proposals to he submitted as a result of Mr. Allen’s conferences wkh the Imperial and Canadian authorities. Reciprocal relations with Australia are to be extended with respect to trade and old-age pensions. A further attempt is to be made to improve the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act in the direction of bringing about more friendly relations between employers and employees—a consummation most devoutly to be wished. Consolidation and amendment of the Shops and Offices Act is also to be effected. A Bil Tis promised to extend the operation of thew orkers’ Dwellings Act to country districts, which, it may behoped, will effect the double purpose of assisting farmers to obtain ‘more labour and, of counteracting the drift to the towns. The more rapid settlement and the more effective rating of Native lands are to he the subject of legislation, and as Mr. Berries has devoted a great deal of attention to this subject a useful measure may be confidently expected. The reform of the Legislative Council is to be undertaken —or at least attempted—and it must be assumed that the new appointees, upon whose selection the Government must be complimented, will assist in this direction. Proposals are to be introduced with the object of reducing the cost of living. The law relating to pensions is to he amended; the copyright law is to be brought into line with that of other countries ; the law of libel is to be defined ; local bodies’. law is to be amended, but the comprehensive Local- LrAKerumeiit Bill- so #cng ;

promised is apparently deferred to a less busy session; a graduated income tax Bill is to be submitted; and various other amending measures are to be brought forward. Many of these, no doubt, will be merely machinery measures or designed to remedy admitted defects in the existing law, ■and therefore unlikely to provoke very much debate. No mention is made of licensing legislation, which may well stand aside until a more convenient season, for there is plenty of matter to occupy members’ attention for a long session. The most important matters requiring attention are undoubtedly land settlement and railway construction, and we hope that before the session is over legislation will be passed encouraging the better development of lands already occupied by giving more leaseholders the right to acquire the freehold, enforcing the settlement of idle lands, and giving settlers power to undertake the construction of district railways. If these objects are accomplished, and the Government pushes on with every possible expedition the efficient reading of the country, it is likely to emerge from the session now opened even stronger than it is at present.