The Timaru Herald FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1937 THE SPEECH FROM THE THRONE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20829, 10 September 1937, Page 8

The Timaru Herald FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1937 THE SPEECH FROM THE THRONE.

Without making the least departure from precedent or custom, the Speech from the Throne at the opening of the second session of the twenty-fifth Parliament of New Zealand, differed from those of the past only perhaps in length and a little more attention to detail. As in the past, the Speech contained no surprises; indeed, it consisted of a studied recapitulation of the implementation of the Government’s programme and generalisations on the legislative course the Government proposes to pursue during the coming session. The Speech recapitulates the reports on the activities of the New Zealand Ministers who journeyed overseas and opportunity is taken to express the appreciation of the King’s representative and the members of the Government and Parliament of the expressions of loyalty that marked the Coronation of the King. But it is on fundamentals that the Speech seems to take a plunge into the troubled waters of economics. Not unnaturally the advisers of his Excellency the Governor-General take full credit for the part they claim has been played by the Government in bringing back prosperity to the country. It remains to be seen, however, the course the Government will take in attempting to harmonise the conflict in economic policy which separates the ideas of the Prime Minister and those of the Minister of Finance and Marketing. On broad lines the Speech mentions the legislative proposals the Government intends to place before the House of Representativs, but the Speech is significantly, if not ominously, silent on the question of taxation. In other countries relief is being given from the burdens imposed to meet economic and financial emergencies, but New Zealand still awaits the honouring of election promises to ease the burden of taxation. It has been suggested that the country would welcome the abolition of the Speech from the Throne, in favour of a less formal opening ceremony, and the immediate attention to the business of the country. As it is, much time will be occupied within the next few weeks in talk. It was anticipated that a change of Government would have suggested a more simplified form of opening ceremony, but the Labour Party seems determined to proceed along orthodox lines in so many spheres of national activity that it is scarcely likely the Government will risk offending lovers of colourful display by stripping the formal opening of Parliament of the pomp and ceremonial that have come down to us through the centuries.