✨ Governor's Speech (continued)
June 23.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1197
Doubts exist respecting the equality of sacrifice as between direct and indirect taxation. Inquiries will be made, and, if it is found that inequalities exist, and that adjustment is necessary, my advisers are of opinion that such adjustment should be in the direction of reducing the duties on the necessaries of life.
In respect to expenditure on railways, the most pressing work is the connection of Auckland and Wellington by rail. The rolling-stock and number of engines on the lines generally have been largely increased during the year, and traffic requirements have been fairly met.
The demand for land continues, and one of the urgent requirements for settlement is the completion of roads in the back blocks. You will be asked to approve expenditure to meet these pressing necessities.
HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,—
A Bill for insuring fair wages and reasonable working-hours in connection with contracts for public works entered into by the Government or by local bodies will be submitted for your consideration.
You have already partially considered measures dealing with compensation to workmen and accident insurance: they will be placed before you again.
The operation of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act has considerably expanded, and in consequence delays have been found to result. Remedial proposals will be submitted to Parliament.
Settlement is retarded on the East Coast of the North Island owing to complications that have arisen with regard to Trust and other Native lands. Proposals dealing with these matters and Native lands generally, and giving local control to Natives by their hapus, will be placed before you.
A Bill will be introduced amending the Advances to Settlers Act in the direction of reducing the rate of interest and extending the operation of the Act to urban and suburban lands.
A measure will be submitted removing existing defects in the electoral laws, and, with other amendments, making provisions to ensure correct returns in respect of questions submitted to the ballot, and removing disabilities on persons temporarily absent from the colony.
Bills will be introduced providing for a bare majority of voters at polls relating to local loans and rating on unimproved values, and providing also for a direct vote of the people on questions of colonial importance.
Bills will be again introduced dealing with local government, agriculture, technical education, mining, and trade; also, amendments and extensions of the law as regards several questions affecting the social and industrial progress of the colony will be submitted to you.
I pray that your deliberations may be for the good of the colony and the advancement of its people, and that the Almighty may guide, direct, and assist your efforts.
By Authority: JOHN MACKAY, Government Printer, Wellington.—1899.
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NZ Gazette 1899, No 54
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
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Governor's Speech Opening the Fourth Session of the Thirteenth Parliament
(continued from previous page)
🏛️ Governance & Central Administration23 June 1899
Parliament Opening, Governor Speech, Taxation, Railways, Land Settlement, Public Works, Industrial Relations, Native Lands, Electoral Law, Local Government
- John Mackay, Government Printer