1532 THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. [No. 59

You will be asked by the public-works proposals, which will be submitted, to provide for the more expeditious construction of important railway-lines, for the extension of telephones to back-block settlers, and for the early completion of roads to the outpost settlements.

The increased attendance at the schools in the large centres of population has to some extent resulted in overcrowding, and the spread of settlement necessitates provision being made for additional school accommodation. You will be requested to make larger appropriation for school buildings generally and particularly for school buildings in newly settled districts.

The subsidies and contributions to the funds of local authorities from the State require to be placed on an improved basis, and it is proposed to grant the net royalties on timber and flax to the several local authorities whose roads are used and impaired by the cartage of these products.

The estimates will be increased by the amount required for taking the census and defraying the cost of the general election.

You will be glad to learn that during the year a very large area of land has been acquired under the Land for Settlements Act. Every section of the Lindsay Estate, in Hawke’s Bay, and the Greenfield Estate, in Otago, has been taken up; and in regard to the Flaxbourne Estate, only one small section of 5 acres remains unapplied-for: yet the earth-hunger still continues. Other large estates in both the North and South Islands are under negotiation, and the demand for closer settlement must be provided for. It is a matter for congratulation that settlement generally throughout the colony has proceeded at a rapid rate, whilst the markets for our products have increased, and good prices are ruling.

The extent of the area of land which under the law as it now stands may be held in a borough by any person and which is exempt from being taken under the compulsory provisions of the Land for Settlements Act renders the obtaining of land for workmen’s homes in urban districts practically impossible. It is desirable that the area should be reduced if land is to be taken for the purpose intended by the Legislature.

Few workmen have money wherewith to pay for the erection of houses, and they have to borrow money at high rates of interest, resulting in many cases in cramped and unsuitable buildings. Although provision has been made under the Municipal Corporations Act enabling Borough Councils to provide workmen’s homes, practically nothing has been done. To prevent overcrowding, and to house the workers properly, my Ministers are of the opinion that the same powers which are conferred upon local bodies should be taken by the State itself, with power to build workmen’s homes or to advance moneys for this purpose. The necessary legislation to enable this to be done will be submitted for your consideration.

The existing laws enabling advances to be made to settlers provide only for such advances being made up to 50 per cent. of the tenant’s interest in the land leased by him. My Advisers are of the opinion that larger advances could with safety be made, and to that end you will be asked to amend the law.

Considering the onerous, important, and additional duties performed by them, the salaries of the Magistrates, it is considered, should be increased, and proposals in that behalf will be placed before you.

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,—

The imperfection of the law and its inadequacy to protect young girls has recently been demonstrated, and an amendment in the Criminal Code extending the time under which an information may be laid against offenders demands your early attention.

In the opinion of my Ministers, the usurious and excessive rates of interest charged for moneys lent in some instances render it necessary that a maximum rate of interest and charges, differentiative in respect to the several classes of security upon which moneys are advanced, should be fixed by law. Proposals to this end will be submitted.