THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2627, 8 October 1909, Page 6

THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

AT THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. IMPORTANT MEASURES FORECASTED. (Special to “Times.”) WELLINGTON, October 7. The following is the of the speech delivered on behalf of His Excellency, Lord Plunket, at the opening of Parliament, in Wellington, yesterday:— Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Cbuncil and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, I have much pleasure in again meeting you in Parliament assembled. _ Since last session I have availed my--self of the opportunity of visiting the Cook and some of the other islands of the Pacific which were annexed to New Zealand in 1901. For the period of my absence from Wellington, occasioned by tile visit, I appointed. Sir James Prendergast administrator of the Government, who discharged his duties with characteristic care and discretion. I was much impressed with the- people, the fertility, and picturesqueness of the islands I was able to visit. The islanders are vigorous and willingly industrious, qualities which, if systematically applied to natural resources there awaiting cultivation, will insure the rapid progress and permanent prosperity of the group. I have also, since I last met you here, extended my acquaintance with the remoter parts and populations of this Dominion. A widening knowledge of New Zealand always evokes an increasing admiration lor its beauty and undeveloped natural wealth and for the intelligence, sturdiness, and loyalty of the people. Death -has recently removed from his place in the House of Representatives Mr. Arthur Edward Remington, member for Rangitikei,' whose industrious devotion to his public duties emphasises widespread regret for a life shortened of the usual span. During the recess two representatives of the Colonial Office, Sir Charles Lucas, K.C.M.G., and Mr. A. C. Pearson, C.M.G., visited New Zealand and spent some time in the country studying its special laws, institutions, and social conditions. They saw some of its most impressive scenery and by sympathetic contact with my advisers and other public men, learnt much of the sentiment, aspirations, and Imperialistic ideals of its people. Their visit, which was due to wishes expressed by over-sea delegates at the last Premiers’ Conference, will, it is believed, be conducive to still greater harmony between this and the Imperial Government. You will be gratified to know that Lord Kitchener, late Conimander-in-Chief in India, who, within the next few months, will arrive in Australia, has accepted an invitation sent by me, on behalf of the people of New Zealand, and I have no doubt this great soldier’s career of signal service to the Empire will ensure him a worthy welcome.

The seasons and harvests of the country have continued bountiful, and the productiveness of its various industries have maintained more than the average forward stride. Measured qualitatively the total 'production is greatei than ever. Unfortunately financial disturbances in the Old World, and low prices for some of the chief products of tho Dominion resulted in a stringency in the money market, and reduction in the National income of New' Zealand. The depression consequent upon these causes is rapidly disappearing as prices recovering and the financial stringency relaxing. The present outlook, things temperately considered, is most encouraging and is again heartening that spirit of vigorous enterprise' which makes the people of New Zealand so progressive. A conference of delegates from the Chambers of Commerce of the whole Empire has recently been in session in Sydney, considering nroblems and questions which effect the commercial prosperity of all His Majesty’s dominions. Members of the conference have accepted the invitation of my Government to visit New Zealand. They will, I am sure, be cordially received. One of the most important of our own industries measured by the value of its product and the nun*her of its workmen is the timber industry. Depression and disorganisation having arisen in it, alleged to he chiefly due to the importation of foreign timber, my advisers deemed it advisable to have a Royal Commission appointed to investigate and report upon the causes and upon any suggested remedies. The commission has concluded a very thorough inquiry and its valuable report and recommendations will, in due course, bo placed before you. Towards the close of last session a series of charges were made in Parliament against the Police Department and my advisers feeling that a department so closely allied to the administration of justice should be cleared, if not deemed beyond the suspicion of such or similar charges, asked me to appoint a commission to investigate and report on the charges in question arid upon any others brought before it. The report and recommendations of the commission will be laid before your for consideration.

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,—As eornpar ed with the previous year’s returns there was an increase last year in the revenue from the Post and Telegraph, railways, land and income tax, excise stamsp, marine and miscellaneous services. Owing, however, chiefly to the remission in customs duties in the various imported necessaries of life and partly to a falling-off of imports naturally consequent upon diminished return for exports the total amount of customs revenue has decreased. So far as this is due to the remissions mentioned no one —remembering that what tho revenue has so lost the people have gained—has any occasion for regret. An earnest and vigorous effort has been mad© to reduce tho cost of the public service by amalgamating departments and pruning and dispensing with any branches which have fulfilled the purpose of public utility for which they were originated. It is believed that when tiie necessary retirements, changes, and amalgamations arei completed the public service, as far as practicable, will combine the desiderata of high standard of economy and efficiency. The estimates for the year have been prepared and will be submitted to you. You will, in due course, be, asked to pass supplies necessary for the purposes of Government.

Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, —As you are aware, the Right Honorable Sir Joseph Ward left New Zealand on the 18t'h June last to attend a Defence Conference in Lonxlon. The conference marks an epoch in the history of the Empire in that then for the first time the great over-sea dependencies were taken into counsel by the Home 1 Government on the vital subject of Imperial Defence. It must be eminently gratifying to New Zealand to know that her action in voluntarily offering to ta'ke on her should-

ers some share in the great work of maintaining the security of the Empire has not only been appreciated by all parties and classes in Great Britain, hut has been followed, though on vap Ting lines, by other dependencies. The result of the deliberations of the conference, if given effect to by the parties concerned will have a wide-reaching effect in strengthening' the Empire in all its component parts. Canada and Australia favor local navies as being more consonant to their local national needs, aspirations, and sentiment. In the case of New Zealand Sir Joseph Ward following what he believed to be best for the interests and .most in accord with the sentiments of the people and Parliament, preferred a policy of strengthening the Imperial Navy with provision for a. section of one of tho chief fleets, the Pacific fleet, keeping touch with New Zealand. Although the main purpose of the Conference was naval defence the question of land defence was not neglected. Important resolutions on this subject were agreed to. Full narticulars of what was done at the Conference will be laid before you together with such legislative and "other proposals as are necessary- in order to give effect to the resolutions arrived at. I feel assured you will give them most careful consideration, and that the result of your deliberations will be alike honorable to New Zealand and helpful to the Empire. Legislation affecting important alterations in the internal defence of the Dominion will also be submitted.

During his visit to London Sir Joseph Ward obtained and despatched to New Zealand £500,000 to carry on Public Works and £500,000 for Advances to Settlers and Workers, and lias made arrangements by which, with necessary alteration of the law, moneys required for local bodies and other public purposes can be obtained. To effect the requisite alterations proposals will be submitted extending the scope of the Advances to Settlers Department and making it a medium for obtaining in England moneys for local public bodies, also for raising necessary sums for the purchase of lands for settlement. The Department’s loan operations will be guaranteed by the State. Legislation will he submittecUxvrEix this object for your consideration. What are- known as the Webster Land Claims, which have been asserted by the United States Government against the Imperial Government at various times during the past fifty years, were again renewed a short time ago. As on a former occasion the Imperial Government communicated with the Government of New Zealand. My advisers caused the whole case to be exhaustively reviewed and saw no reason to depart from the opinion held by former administrations that the claims had no standing in either law or equity. Although no financial liability attaches to New Zealand—the transactions having occurred before responsible Government was established—my advisers considered it their duty to co-operate with the Imperial Government in dealing with the matter. To this end the Premier conferred with the authorities in London and subsequently with the British Ambassador to the United States at Montreal. As a result it is probable that certain legal questions will be submitted to a special tribunal and thei'e is little doubt but that this course will finally dispose of the whole matter.

The present condition of mail connections with the United Kingdom, is unsatisfactory, and negotiations are proceeding with a view to giving closer connection via Vancouver and also endeavoring to obtain an improved mail service via San Francisco. The Government consider that it would be of great advantage to the Dominion if one of the large steamship mail and passenger lines now trading from England to Australia via the Suez Canal were to extend their voyage to New Zealand. My advisers will ask the authority of Parliament to enable the mail and passenger services generally to he improved and therebv remove the undeniable isolation by which the Dominion at present is detrimentally affected.

The Native land law of New Zealand now contained in seventy separate statutes, has, owing chiefly to the lines along which this legislation has developed for the last fbrty years under different administrations, become pCrplexingly profuse, intricate and inconsistent. In the circumstances the Commissioners appointed under “The Reprint of Statutes Act. 1895” found consolidation an impossible task and so reported to me. My advisers have accordingly hau a separate bill prepared revising, recasting and harmonising zhe whole of the Native Land Laws of this country’ and making such amendments as are requisite. The Bill will shortly he introduced for your consideration. The triple gain in the simplicity, clearness and brevity of this branch of law will facilitate the operation of the Native Land Courts, the determination of Native land titles, and the settlement of Native lands. My advisers fully recognise that the rapidly increasing population of the North Island demands a vigorous policy of European settlement on all the surplus Native Lands. The work of the recent Native Land Commission and the present energetic promotion of surveys will facilitate this policy. Returns showing what has been lately done in various directions towards this end will be shortly submitted Provision will also be made for a better settlement of Natives upon the lands reserved for their use and occupation. The time has arrived when Native Lands will hear a larger share of expense of the public works by which those lands are made more accessible or otherwise improved, and legislation providing for the rating of Native land in all reasonable cases will be brought before you. Such a provision, will, my advisers think, serve the dual purpose of a just impost and a spur to the closer settlement or cultivation of lands affected.

The permanent prosperity and steady progress of this Dominion depend chiefly upon the increase in numbers and success of its small farmers in all branches, of that great industry. The cardinal aims of the Government in this country are to get and keep an ever increasing proportion of its population upon its lands. To this end you will be asked to consider and pass the Special Settlement Finance Bill introduced last year which makes the State a guarantor behind every group of willing and capable small settlers without adequate means that they will pay the purchase money of the freehold of any suitable area they can acquire for closer settlement from larger owners. You will be asked to consider further land legislation devised, among other things, to make rural life more attrac-

tivo, to encourage settlement, and to more effectively prevent the undesirable aggregation of holdings. You will also bo asked to pass further legislation to prevent continuing evasions of the Land and Income Act. The question of prison reform has been engaging the attention of my advisers and a system proceeding along the lines alrea'dy successfully tried m other progressive countries is. now nearly completed. It is essential to the effective working of this system that the principle of the indeterminate sentence should be extended and fuller powers than exist at present be given to magistrates for the committal of female and juvenile offenders to homes or reformatories instead of to gaols, 1.0 further assist this system some amendments of the law relating to inebriates are requisite. Legislation embodying these purposesi will he brought before My advisers have been interested and impressed by the discussions and resolutions of the various conferences of harbor board delegates and in particular with the objections which have been raised to the systems of electing and nominating the members of the various harbor boards. A Bill will be introduced for your consideration this session, which although mainly a consolidating measure will include many amendments - iggested and approved by the different harbor hoard conferences. _ My advisers are of opinion that it is the duty of the State to encourage the, working people of the Dominion _ to make provision against loss of earnings due to incapacity through: sickness or accident, and further to make provision for old age and, in the case of death, for the maintenance of dependents. Such provision the State now substantially assists members of its Civil Service to make and similar assistance is proposed in the case of all workers in private employment. With this object you will be asked to pass the National Annuities Bill introduced last year and also an amendment of the laws dealing with the superannuation of the public service. _ . The paramount importance to human health and life of a pure milk supply has been increasingly recognised bv the municipalities of this country and tho time has now arrived when the boroughs and cities should be empowered by law to take such measures as they think fit to secure pure milk for the people including, if necessary, that ot establishing a municipal supply. This and some other desirable amendments of the Municipal Corporations Act will be submitted for your consideration. At present there is some overlapping of functions among the hospital and charitable aid boards and some objection lias been taken to the method of creating these boards. These defects will he remedied by a Bill which, wall he laid before you. It will be remembered that important proposals for the amendments of shipping and seamen legislation were agreed to by the Maritime Conference held in London in 1907 at which the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Sir J. Ward represented New Zealand. You will be asked to consider legislation amending our Shipping and Seamen Act so as to give effect to the proposals of the conference.

The mining industry continues prosperous, but employing as it does a very large number of our people it deserves tho fullest encouragement at the hands of the Government. The existing mining legislation is working smotlily, but some amendments are desirable to make it more effective. These will be submitted for -our consideration. Legislation removing the difficulties which arose in connection with Miners’ Complaint and medical examination of miners will be submitted to you. Bills amending or. consolidating the law with regard to Native lands for settlement, advances to settlers, Crown lands, friendly societies, hospital and charttable aid, municipal corporations, harbor boards, factories shops and offioes, workmen’s accidents, industrial schools, public works valuation of land, Maori, Councils, company’s bankruptcy, the law of libel, indecent literature and other important motions will be introduced for your attention. I feel sure that in these matters, whose purpose is the improvement of the well-being of -the people and the development of resources of a richly endowed country, you will employ your best energy and judgment and I trust that bv the blessing of Almighty God your deliberations and proceedings will he to the credit of Parliament, the good of New Zealand, and the honor of the Empire.