THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2525, 11 June 1909, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH

A BRIEF UTTERANCE

A REVIEW OF THE POSITION

The following is the text of the speech delivered by His Excellency the Governor:— Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, —It is with much pleasure I meet you again in Parliament assembled to state to you the causes for which you have been summoned. r

I am entitled to assume that you have followed with close., and deep interest the statements of His Majesty in England relative to the present strength and fighting efficiency of the British Navy and more particularly as to the extensive changes in and to that navy found to be necessary to enable the Empire to maintain its greatness if not its existence in case of war. The .gravity of the outlook upon the rapid growth of foreign naval armaments has impressed itself upon the statesmen of the United Kingdom and His Majesty’s Ministers. They have outlined the naval programme which they deem essential to enable Great Britain to retain her supremacy on the seas. You have doubtless seriously reflected upon the heavy burden which the maintenance of the British Navy already imposes upon the United Kingdom and of the great additions which will be made to this burden by the new naval programme. It is quite unnecessary to remind you how vitally wo in this Dominion are. interested in the strongtli and efficiency of that navy or of our obligations to Britain for the protection now and always afforded to our lives and liberties and our property, trade and commerce by her fleets. My advisers, recognising not only the gravity of the situation in which the rapid growth of foreign naval armaments has placed our Mother Country, but/also the great weight of the burden upon her people which the maintenance and strengthening of her navy involves, decided that, subject to ratification by Parliament, this Dominion should give a prompt and substantial proof both of its loyalty and its duty to the Empire by the offer of a first-class battleship of the Dreadnought type. This offer has been graciously accepted by His Majesty’s Homo Government, and to make the gift effective you will be asked to ratify it. Since, this offer was made His Majesty’s self-governing over-sea dominions have all evinced tneir loyalty and desire to see the Imperial Navy so strengthened as to secure that supremacy of the seas upon which the Empire has risen to its present greatnoss aud upon which that greatness now depends. In these circumstances His. Majesty’s Homo Government has called a Naval Conference to he hold in London in the last week in July next of responsible 'representatives of all the self-govern-ing dominions, with a view to concerted, and united action being taken throughout the Empire for naval supremacy and naval defence. The importance of this conference not only to the United Kingdom itself but to all His Majesty’s dominions has been recognised by tho readiness with which each sell-govern-ing stato has agreed to send a representative. The Prime Minister of New Zealand will attend this Conference as my adyisers deem it expedient, not only in view of tho importanco of tho Conference to this Dominion and nation, but also in view of the new part

this country has assumed in Imperial Defence by its offer of a Dreadnought that New Zealand should bo represented at tho Conference by its Prime Minister. To enable tho Prime Minister to bo present in London for the opening of the Conference he must leave New Zealand in a short time and cannot return before the end of September next. This being the first ef a new Parliament my advisers deem it necessary that while the session lasts tho Prime Minister should ho in his place here to carry on important duties and to introduce, explain, and it necessary, defend tho policy of the Government, and therefore to enable him to attend tho Conference an early prorogation of Parliament is essential. Hon. Gentlemen of tho House of Representatives,—ln accordance with the usual custom Parliament would in tho ordinary course of events have been summoned for the last week of this month.' As you are aware supplies have been voted to the thirtieth day of June, but in view of the circumstances and cause I have already referred to proposals for an extension of appropriations to a suitable date will bo submitted for your consideration. A statement showing approximately the financial position of the Dominion will be placed before you and Legislative authority asked to raise a sum of money required to carry on certain public works.

Hon. gont'-omen of the Legislative Council and gentlemen of tlio House of Representatives,—lt is not considered necessary by my advisers that any measures should be brought before you except tho financial proposals already indicated by mo as necessary to give effect to what my advisers deem to be the wish of the people of New Zealand that this Dominion should be represented at the impending Conference by the Prime Minister. I trust that bis attendance with that of Ministers of the Crown from other self-govern-ing overseas Dominions will result in a great and permanent scheme of Imperial national defence: a scheme which, by involving a closer partnership between us and the Mother Country will draw us to her nearer still and will express our kinship in tangible and visible evidences of tho part we take in the defence ef the Empire and will, above all, with the blessing ef God, make for the permanent peace of the world.

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

FORMAL BUSINESS

Subsequently the Legislative Council mot for formal business. The Hon. Jas. McGowan and C. H. Mills, the newly-appointed members, and the Hons. j. Holmes and J. Marshall, the re-appointed ones,* were sworn in.

The Attorney-General made a brief reference to the the death of the late Mr. Hone Heke, and a motion of condolence with his son was passed. The Council then adjourned until 10.30 o’clock on the following morning.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

AFTERNOON SITTING—FORMAL PROCEEDINGS.

The House of Representatives met in the afternoon. A number of petitions were presented asking the Government to take steps to procure suitable young women for domestic service.

Mr. Forbes gave notice to move the Address-in-Replv to-morrow. Mr. Herdman gave notice of the introduction of an amending Public Works Act.

Sir Joseph Ward gave notice of motion for next sitting day that Mr. T. Wilford be appointed Chairman of Committees, and that the Standing Orders be suspended to allow Government business to be given precedence on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Sir Joseph Ward moved that the Commission on the Timber Industry be granted permssion to sit during the sitting of Parliament. Mr. Massey asked whether there was any probability of the Commission being able to report during the present session. iSr Joseph Ward replied in the negative. The Speaker put the Premier’s motion, that members of the Timber Commission who are members of the House be granted permission to sit during the present session, and the motion was agreed'"to on the voices. Referring to the report of the judges in the Dunedin South election petition, Mr. J. Allen said that steps should be taken by.. the Government to prevent the loss of ballot papers. Sir Joseph Ward replied that in the case referred to the officers had taken every step to sheet home the offence, but without success. He would be glad to take further steps in the direction indicated. . The Expiring Laws Continuance Bill was read a first time. On the motion of the Premier, the House nassed a resolution expressing regret at the death of the late Mr. Hone Heke, and that the condolences of the House should be sent to his relatives. Sir Joseph Ward paid a high tribute to the departed member, who was highly respected by all members of the Legislature. . Mr. Massey endorsed the Premier s eulogy, and referred to the good work done by Mr Hone Heke for the natives. Mr Parata outlined air. Hone Heke s career and its objects. . , , Mr. Hemes also eulogised the late member. Sir Joseph Ward moved the adjournment of the House till 10.30 o clock tomorrow morning. , , . Mr. Massey asked at what hour it •was proposed to adjourn to-morrow. Sir Joseph Ward replied that the Government would submit proposals to the House. It was not to ask tho House to sit later at night than 11 o’clock. The House rose at 5.10 pm.