8.—6

Superannuation, National Airways, Bank of New Zealand.

As mentioned in His Excellency's Speech at the opening of the session, legislation will be introduced to amend the Superannuation Acts, particularly in relation to the £300 limit, also the necessary Bills to take over and expand the National Airways system and the acquisition of the privately-owned shares in the Bank of New Zealand. May we also in a final paragraph pay tribute to the Merchant Navy, the members of which, through the storms and stress of six dangerous years, have maintained the flow of men, equipment, and food between the productive areas and the battlefields and countries when supplies were needed. And now, Mr. Chairman, my task for this evening is at an end. That task would have been a much more agreeable one had I been able to announce the end of the war in the Pacific. In the meantime, I can only hope with you that the overthrow of the enemy will not be long delayed. To that end we are united in the determination to spare no effort to ensure that our contribution to the cause is maintained at a maximum. Our Dominion contimies to be one of the most fortunate of countries. We have been saved the material losses which would have been our lot had the fortunes of war decreed an attack on our homeland, and as a result of that security our productive capacity is very largely unimpaired. New Zealand, as one of the world's highest per capita, exporters, is vitally concerned not only in the early restoration and development of world trade—and to that end has been a strong supporter of the recent international conferences which have been called for that purpose —but is anxious so to develop and improve her own industries, both primary and secondary, that she will be enabled to maintain and even increase the local standards of living. This can be achieved, however, only if all sections of the community co-operate and work in harmony for their mutual benefit and for the advantage of the Dominion. Let us, therefore, face the future with thankfulness for the victories which have been won by the Allied Armed Forces, with confidence in final and complete victory, and with a determination to work together for the advancement of peace and prosperity, knowing full well that such a policy will react not only to our own immediate benefit, but will enable us to make a worthwhile contribution towards improving the lot of less fortunate countries overseas.

Merchant Navy.

Conclusion.

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