The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 1924. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 27 June 1924, Page 6

The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 1924. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Tiie only departures from traditional ureariuess iu trie, bpeeeii aum me rnr one delivered by nis irxeeilency tun (aovernor-ueneral in opening I'arliament yesterday, was ns lnoruinate wordiness ana me omeial notineution ol me termination ol JLoru J eilicoe s term ol onice as Lrovernoi-Lieneral of i\ e>w Zealand. moreover, the speech brougnt- tne usual notice ol a no-eonnctence motion, tlie JLiberal-Juahour Tarty having beaten the Leader of Labour m the little scheme to “get in first. '’ The Government, however, has revealed little ol its policy, but that is the usual practice, since the Speech lias come to be recognised as a kite-hying’ expedition designed to draw the rank ami hie of the Government party, no less than members ol the Opposition, to mahe suggestions to the powers that be. The question of imperial preference engages the attention of the Government, and it is encouraging to note that Mi Massey and colleagues do no I suggest retaliation in view of the uechuon of the Imperial Government not to endorse the resolution ol the imperial and Lconomic Uonferenees. Unquestionably a difficult position has arisen, but New Zealand is not likely to attempt to penalise the .British trader simply on account of the “three smashes at unity” the Labour Government lias dealt at Empire development and trade. Loan finance is given considerable prominence. The Speech claims that 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 hopes. It has ioi some time been recognised,” continues the Speech, “that the mail) difficulty arises in cases where the land was purchased by _ the soldiers themselves from private individuals, with a first mortgage to the Grown for its advance, and subsidiary mortgages to the vendors. 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,is not denied that in many cases, well-deserved and much appreciated relief lias been given, but wb 'cannot shut our eves to tbe fact, that'there is stib considerable discontent among the soldier settlers, and a feeling of discouragement exists _ which almost prompt the soldier to abandon the whole business. Wo claim that it is the duty of the State' to honour all the promises which were made to the soldier when he took up arms in defence of civilisation. Some idea of the growth of the Advances Department. is given, and the' figures reveal the tremendous growth ol this State activity. ' Passing reference is made to the' proposed Railway Commission, and the report of the Taxation Commission, while such a large measure of success is claimed for meat and dairy produce control legislation that the fruit growers are expressing a desire for the establishmeni of a control hoard with similar powers, and the necessaiy legislation is promised. Mention is made of the Highways Board, and its operation. Quite a lengthy statement deals with the expiry of the moratorium, and the decision of the Government not in continue the automatic operations beyond the close of, the year. This portion of the Speech is merely a rather wordy reiteration of thorn me Minister’s explanation of the Government’s decision. Much needed consolidation of the land laws is promised, hut the only indication of the Government’s policy is given in the paragraph which is really meaningless, namely, that the Govern men! promises Bills dealing with the stamp laws, the Chattels Securilv Act, motor vehicles, copyright, public, works, education, defence, local bodies loans, war. funds, police offences, and public debt. The Speech is interesting in that it marks the opening, of whnf promises to he a lively and, we hope, useful session. The appointment of Mr McLeod, as Minister of Lands, should en.nsifleraVfiv siren sylhon the Mini = - trv, but the burden of responsibilitv is still most rlisproportionatelv distributed. Hence, in view of Ihe, pressing problems await inn solution, and the prospects of strenuous times ahead. Mr Masse,v should reconstruct Cabinet, and he in a strong position to face the fierce, assaults which are inevitable this session.