PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7500, 1 July 1903, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

♦ _—. The Governor's Speech.

(Synopsis.)

Reference is made to the King's illness, restoration to health and coronation. Also to his Excellency's promise to visit the distant parts of the Colony and "obtain a personal knowledge of tho richness of the soil, the commercial enterprises, and tho wealth and extent or tho mineral deposits." This promise he had fulfilled, and the result has been

to fully confirm his Excellency's previous favourable impressions.

On tho 10th day of August next my original term of office expires. My advisers, however, expressed the desire that I should remain for a longer period. Believing it to bo consonant with tho general wish, I consented, and his Gracious Majesty prolonged my term of ollice. The people of New Zealand havo extended to me that loyal friendship that was, to bo expected from a Colony so deeply imbued with devotion to their sovereign and attachment to their Empire, and I have everywhere met with the warmest and most enthusiastic welcome in my travels throughout their boundaries.

Ere another session opens I shall be far away, and shall have severed my connection with your colony. You may, however, rest assured that every effort will bo exorted by m? to promote the welfare of a country to which I bavo become so deeply attached. To draw attention to New Zealand's position and progress, and to explain to the best of my ability the causes which have led in so marked a degree to the general prosperity and happiness undoubtly now existing within these shores.

lleferenco is then made to the visit of Mr Seddon to England on the occasion of the King's Coronation, and the Colonial Conference. Also to the completion of the "Empire-girdling," British-owned Pacific cable, and to " the almost light-ning-like rapidity with which messages have been despatched and received." Mention is also made of certain strictures passed by the Judicial Committee of the English Privy Council on the New Zealand Courts, in delivering judgment in Porirua Trust case. (This intention the Home Judges have since completely disavowed). The Governor is made to say: It is sincerely hoped, in the interests of justice and the highest Courts of the Empire, that the unmerited and uncalled for departure of the Judicial Committee may never occur again. My Ministers are of the opinion that an amendment in the constitution of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is imperative, and that unless a satisfactory change is made confidence in that great central tribunal of the Empire will within the Colonies be shaken. The greatest good-feeling exists with the Maori race. Mahuta Tawhiao Potatau Te Whero "Whero has been called to the Legislative Council, and appointed a member of the Executive Council. The estrangement of several of the Maori tribes, which has too long existed, is now closed and Mahuta's influence will be of value to the Colony, especially in the early settlement of the lands of the Kohe Potae. The Maori Lands and Sanitary Councils are working satisfactorily, and evidence is daily boing given thai the Maoris have a complete knowledge of what is necessary to educate, improve and preserve their race. Whilst being pleased with the great increased productiveness of the Colony, which close settlement bas materially assisted, my advisers consider that settlement can be largely augmented, provided adequate means are available, to road Crown Lands. This class of road construction to be paramount, seeing that the expenditure on such roads is out of borrowed money. Eeference is made to the very satisfactory development of the agricultural and pastoral industries, and on the land settlement system generally. Several defects in the Land for Settlements Act require to bo rectified. The law providing for the acquiring of land for workmen's homes is practically a dead letter and requires amendment. The increased number of persons employed in manufacturing pursuits warrant my saying that satisfactory progress has been made, and the outlook is very cheering. The largely increased output of gold and coal also proves that the mining industry is in a flourishing condition. The excess of arrivals over departures gave the Colony a large increase in population last year. The low birth rate in Borne urban parts of the Colony is, however, a matter for grave concern. A largely increased population is needed, and Ministers are of the opinion that if immigrants of the farming class of the United Kingdom were to come here instead of swelling the population of alien countries it would be to the benefit of the Colony and add stability to our Empire. The Honourable William Campbell Walker, C.M.G., has, after nearly seven years untiring service, resigned his portfolio of education and his position as a member of the Executive Council, and the Honourable Albert Pitt has been appointed Attorney-General and a member of the Executive Council.

The estimates have been carefully considered, and, consistent with providing for an efficient service, strict attention to economy has been observed. With an increased population, extension of Departments, and development of resources, there must necessarily be expanding cost. The estimated increase in expenditure is proportionate to the estimated revenue. The owners of large areas of land resident outside the Colony are not taxed through the Customs. Seeing the aggregation of large estates concerned, my Ministers conclude there will not be any serious objection to increasing tbe present absentee tax. The gradation of the Land Tax, as now assessed under tho existing law, further adjustment to make the same fair in its incidence. Eeference is made to the proposed strengthening of the New Zealand aud Australian Squadron, and tho training of New Zealand officers and men for it; and also to Mr Chamberlain's proposed fiscal changes. During the recent elections, several defects wero found in our electoral system, and my advisers are of opinion that it would bo consonant with democratic principle if the now existing anomaly was removed and single electorates alone obtained.

Passing reference was made to the development of trade with South Africa.

Further, my Ministers consider it would be to the advantage of tho Colony should tho sale of New Zealand meat be extonded to the manufacturing centres of tbo United Kingdom, and that assistance to this end should be rendered. 'Tis well the British bred should be British fed.

Satisfactory progress in tho placing of the people on the waste lands of the Colony has teen made during the year. A large area of Jand is now open for selection. In respect to bush lands, proposals will be submitted allowing tenants to bo rent freo for a time, aud othor conditions, which, owing to want of proper communications, are now restrictive, will be relaxed, and special efforts are being made to settle co-operative men and returned troopers on the land, During tho year a largo area of land has been acquired under tho Land for Settlements Act. Tho demand is unabated and should bo mot. Tho sons of farmers in one part of the Colony should not bo compelled to settle elsewhere, whilo large estates exist in the vicinity of their parents homesteads.

xii. Defence Forces are in a much improved condition. The number is maintained and fair discipline observed. The cadet movement is very popular, and the training of our youth in tho public schools and ordinary cadet corps will materially assist the volunteer movement. The ordinary Defenco charges will be less than last year, and our liabilities and permanent cost entailed by the sacrifice made in South Africa is now almost ascertainable. As the law exists, officers and troopers whose health was impaired, and who were permanently injured otherwise than in action, can receive neither pensions nor gratuities. Proposals to remedy this defect in the law will be submitted.

My Ministers are of the opinion that a «foi_ !?;,._ T.-,,. » n nn n.im n «t „„„i„- ---*-- .... __ou-.au.. _~,,_..„__„., ___,_, with advantage to the Colony, be established, and that by enabling thoso insuring to participate in the profits good business would ensue. . Legislation assigning a proper position to Firo Brigades aud insuring them the revenue necessary to carry on their good work my advisors deem necessary.

The existence of trusts and combines is inimical to tho producer, for such organisations limit tho salo to one buyer, and this tends to keep below fair market value the price of products. My Ministers dectn it in the best interests of the Colony that, in respect to tho housing, food and clothing of the peoplo, legislation should be passed insuring fair competition.

The guarantee given by the Colony to the Lank of New Zealand expires by cilluxion of time next year, and it will be necessary for legislation respecting this

question to be passed this session. Proposals in respect to this and the issue of bank notes will be submitted. The hospitals for mental diseases are, in the opinion of my Ministers, unfitted for children or the aged and infirm. The condition of things now existing in this respect is worthy of investigation. The erection of tho Industrial School building at Levin will soon be finished, and complete classification of tho children in the Government Industrial Schools is advisable. To attain that end, my advisers propose to obtain additional load, and erect the necessary buildings, and a well-equipped training ship for boys will also help to solve a difficult problem. l Measures providing for the direct reference to tho people of issues on large questions, for dealing with shops and offices, compensation for accidents, arbitration and conciliation, and for improving the present system of land valuation, for the extension of the rating on unimproved value of land, for improving the position of civil servants and school teachers., and for amending the law and system of weights and measures; these with others will be submitted in - due course. Kaferring to the exposition at St. Louis, my Ministers consider that an exhibition, at no distant date, on an extensive scale, in New Zealand, would be to tho advantage of agriculture, commerce and tho industries of the Colony. *.