PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 29 June 1928, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

SESSION OPENED. GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. (By Telegraph —Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Parliament was opened to-day by His Excellency the Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson) with the usual ceremonies. Amongst those who attended were Her Excellueey Lady Alice Fergusson, Mrs J. G. Coates and the wives of other Ministers of the Crown. When members had assembled in the Legislative Council Chamber, His Excellency read the following Speech: — Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, — It is with pleasure that I again meet you in Parliament assembled. My'visits during the recess to different parts of the Dominion which I had not visited before have further convinced me of the loyalty of the people of this Dominion to the Crown, and I have much appreciated the warmth of the welcome that has been extended to me. Since I last met you a most important step towards the peace and security of the'wo rid has been taken by the Government of the United States of America in their proposal, for a multi-, lateral treaty for the renunciation of war. The principal articles of the proposed treaty are:— (1) The high contracting parties solemnly declare, in the name of their respective peoples, . that they condemn recourse to war for the solution of international controversies, and renounce it as an instrument of national policy in their relations, with one another.

(2) The high contracting parties agree that.the settlement or solution of all disputes or conflicts, of whatever nature, or of whatever origin they may be, which may arise amongst them, shall never be sought except by pacific means. An invitation to. become an original party to the treaty has been extended to New Zealand by the United States through His Majesty’s Government'in Great Britain. My Ministers have in reply expressed their warm appreciation of the invitation with His Majesty's Governments in other parts of the British Empire to associate themselves with the Government of the United States in this movement to add greater security to the peaee of the world, and to share in any negotiations leading to' the conclusion of the proposed treaty. I regret to say that owing to the disaffection of a section of the population the administration of the mandate over Western Samoa has caused some anxiety. As a result of various complaints and grievances alleged against the Administration, it was considered advisable last year to appoint a Commission of Inquiry, consisting of the Honourable .the Chief Justice of New Zealand, SiAcharle,s Skcrrett, and Judge'McCormick, of the Native Land Court ; to visit Samoa and investigate the complaints on the spot. The rc- ' suit of a long and careful inquiry was to vindicate tl/e Administration, but unfortunately the unrest has continued. Upon the expiration of MajorGeneral Sir George Richardson’s term of office as Administrator he j was appointed as one of the representatives of New Zealand to attend the Permanent Mandates Commission of the League of Nations. Colonel ,S. S. Allen, C.M.G., D. 5.0., was appointed to succeed' Sir George Richardson as Administrator of the Territory, and took •up his duties in May last. The policy of the Administration is, and always has been, to exercise the utmost possible patience consistent with the due observance of the law. A notable event during the year was the visit of the Right, Hon. L. jAmery, Secretary of State for the Dominions. His discussions with my Ministers on various matters of importance, and his personal contact with all sections of the community, gave his visit a special value. The National Industrial Conference 'which was set up to consider problems .affecting labour and industry, met during tho recess. On some matters the

■conference came to a unanimous conclusion, and their recommendations are "rinw receiving the careful consideraZl of my Minister . On other matters where unanimity wftS P?! 1 ? e 9?fesd "ijUe conference dealt with mueh information which had been t carefully thought out and prepared, and on which valuable discussions took place. Throughout all the proceedings there - whs a spirit of harmony and mutual forbearance, and it is clear that from this aspect alone the conference m&rks a step forward in our industrial relationships. It is confidently hoped that the conference has laid the foundation for friendly discussion in the future regarding the many difficult problems that arise in our industrial 'life. It is a noteworthy fact, and one which shows the good relations existing between employers and emplocycs, that the period of depression through which this country has recently passed, and from which it is now happily emerging, has also been a period of industrial peace. The measures passed last session dealing with the' Agricultural College, together with the activities of the 'Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, already have been fruitful of results which promise well for the lasting benefit of our primary and secondary industries, and several important co-operative research enterprises have been, inaugurated. In this, much assistance has been given by the Empire Marketing Board, as a result of the visit of Sir Amery. My Ministers feel that in the application of scientific methods to the .cultivation of

our land and to the raising and treatment of stock there is a practical means of increasing production which is so essential to the prosperity of this Dominion.

The subject of farmers' finance, which was given much •consideration during the last two sessions, resulted in two measures which have been placed on the statute-book providing for long-term mortgages and rural intermediate credit. These measures are now in working roder, and it is anticipated that much benefit will accrue to the country by the facilities now given to the working farmer to obtain credit on reasonable terms and at a low rate of interest.

Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives —

1 am pleased to be able to refer to the satisfactory change during the last twelve months in the economic and trade position of the Dominion. Aided by a good season and better prices, both the volume and value of our exportale products show a satisfactory increase. These factors together with the opening-up of new markets make the outlook for tho future distinctly promising, and should do much to remove the causes of unemployment which unfortunately have been much in evidence during the depression of the last two years.

The operations of the public, finances for the year ended March 31 last gavo a surplus of £179,077 of revenue over expenditure. Tho estimates for the present year are being subjected to the closest scrutiny with a view to continued economy and control over administrative expenditure.

For the purpose of promoting the policy of development in connection with public works, railways and hydroelectric power a loan amounting to £5,000,000 was issued in London during May. - This issue was at 4} per cent, discounted at £94 10s, and its successful flotation marked a notable break in interest rates, thus indicating, I am pleased to state, improved financial and trade prospects affecting the Empire generally. Along with this issue for new money, a conversion offer was made up to £5,000,000 of the New Zealand Consolidated Stock of £29,000,000 maturing in November, 1929, holders to receive £lO4 10s of new 41 per cent, stock in exchange for their 4 per cent, holdings. The amount offered was immediately taken up. The revision of the tariff last year Tendered material assistance to New Zealand industries, and the increased preference granted to British manufacturers has been well received in Great Britain, as a further evidence of New Zealand’s desire to assist Empire trade. Concessions amounting to many thousands of pounds were made in tho duty on articles in every-day use by the community.

During the recess the Australian Minister of Customs, the Hon. Mr Fratten, visited the Dominion for the purpose of discussing trade and tariff relations between the 'Commonwealth and the Dominion. Although the discussions which took place were not fruitful of any immediate results, it is believed that a better understanding has been reached on various administrative difficulties that had arisen from time to time. It was with deep regret that the people of New Zealand learnt of the sudden death of Mr Fratten shortly after his return to Australia.

Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and'Gentlcmen of the House of Representatives.

Much consideration has been given to the provision of a contributory and universal basis of pensions for aid age and widowhood, and of insurance against sickness and invalidity. In order to give reasonable benefits under any suijh scheme, which would necessarily be' compulsory, and assuming that the financial liability would be borne by the State, employers and employees in equal •proportion, it is estimated that the annual charge on the State would be not less than £325,000, leaving twice that amount to be borne by the employers and employees. This liability of the State would be in addition to the gross sum of £1,3.14,641 now expended annually for old-age and widows’ pensions, which latter payment would have to continue for many years to come. Although it is recognised that the principle of such a scheme is sound and would remove many anomalies in our present pensions law, my Ministers hesitate, In view of the stress under which many industries havo been carrying on, the prevailing unemployment, and the economic conditions generally, to impose this additional burden.

Apart from the financial aspect, it has also to be considered whether the conditions that led up to the establishment of the systems now operating in certain closely populated and industrially developed countries exist in New Zealand Jto the extent that would warrant the initiation of a similar system here. Consideration must also be given to the effect of such a scheme on the existing voluntary organisations such as the National Provident Fund, the friendly isocieties, the hospital and medical services, and Other institutions which are already in existence in this country and deal with different phases of the .problem. While welcoming any discussion on the subject, my Ministers have come to jtbe conclusion that all the different points involved require mature consideration, and opportunity should be afforded for the examination of the information collected by a Commission in Australia which has been sitting for the last three years, and which has rceently made its report.

It is proposed this session to amend the British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Act, 1923, by adopting Part It. of tlie British -Isationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914. This Will bring tlie Dominion of New Zealand into line with all other countries of the British Empire which ha've now adopted Part I. of the Imperial Act. The effect of this adoption will be that anyone upon whom British nationality has been conferred In any

part of the British Empire will become a British subject in every part of the Empire, and consequently anyone whom New Zealand admits to the status of British nationality 'can claim that status in any other part of the Empire. The Acts relating to public reserves and domains, rabbit nuisance, divorce and auctioneers have been compiled and reconstructed, and these measures will be put before you for your consideration. Consolidation of the Acts relating to Magistrates’ Courts, education reserves, post and telegraph, inspection of machinery, noxious weeds, public works, kauri gum, orchard and garden diseases, have been prepared and will also be submitted to you. Under our existing law provision is made for local authorities acquiring charges on land for payment of various services performed by them. The existence of these charges has caused difficulty to people dealing with land, and a measure will be introduced providing for the registration of all such charges. The report on mental deficiency and its treatment furnished by the Inspector General of Mental Hospitals has been considered, and remedial' legislation will bo submitted for your consideration.

In view of the large increase of motor traffic and the number of accidents which have occurred on the road, it lias been considered by my Ministers desirable that all those who own cars should, at the same time as they pay tTieir annual registration and license foes, pay an additional sum sufficient to provide an insurance against what is known as the third party risk. The details and working of this proposal v ill be set out in the Bill, which will be duly submitted to you. Bills will also be submitted to you dealing with municipal corporations, companies, property law, police foice, State fire insurance, licensing, cinematograph films, land for settlement, New Zealand University, and other matters.

I commend all these matters to your earnest consideration, and pray that Divine Providence may so guide your deliberations that the result will be for the good of the Empire and of lasting benefit to the people of this Dominion.