2220
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 72

devote the whole of his time to this special work. Proposals will be laid before
you to give effect to this object. Experience has also disclosed some defects
and anomalies in our labour laws. Steps will be taken to have these remedied.

The buildings in course of erection at Petone and Auckland for workers’
dwellings are being rapidly pushed forward, and others will follow in different
parts of the colony as circumstances require.

Maternity homes have already been opened in Auckland, Wellington, and
Dunedin, and one will shortly be opened in Christchurch. The scheme is
working satisfactorily.

Effective economical administration of the Government cannot be secured
unless the ablest and best qualified men are drawn to the ranks of the Civil
Service. The attainment of this will be materially assisted by a classi-
fication of the service, and by provision being made for the old age of those who
have as public officers served the colony faithfully and well.

The encouragement of thrift should be one of our cardinal aims. The
operations of the Post-Office Savings-Bank and the Government Life Insur-
ance Department have done much in this direction, but a more immediate
stimulus to thrift is still desirable. My Advisers consider that the creation of an
annuity system, accepting contributions from all classes and offering in return
the largest annuities the State can afford to pay, deserves careful attention; and
my Ministers hope to submit a complete scheme for carrying out this object.

The development of trade by opening up fresh markets for produce will be
actively prosecuted, and the importance to producers of having cheap rates
of freight, and freedom to avail themselves of them, will not be lost sight of.

My Advisers are of opinion that the San Francisco mail-service and the
offer for the Vancouver mail-service should be renewed. Efforts will be made to
enable New Zealand to enjoy, along with Australia, the Commonwealth Royal
mail-service.

The question of extension of commerce to the East is occupying the atten-
tion of my Advisers, and proposals relating thereto will be submitted.

The promotion of trade with the Dominion of Canada and with the United
States is receiving every consideration at the hands of the Government.

Another direction in which the efficiency of administration of public affairs
can be improved is by simplifying our system of local government, and a
measure dealing with this and kindred matters will be submitted to you in due
course.

There are many anomalies in the Customs tariff which should be removed.
It is expedient, however, to have a revision of the whole question of Customs
duties rather than confine attention to small defects or particular items. The for-
mation of treaties with other colonies, and the suggested arrangements with the
Mother-country, require to be first considered before any such general revision
is made. It is therefore felt better to postpone the review of our Customs duties
until after the projected Conference of Prime Ministers, to be held in London
next year. Moreover, this will enable the Minister in charge of Customs to
personally investigate the general requirements of both producers and consumers
in New Zealand. Meanwhile Ministers propose to ask Parliament to renew
“ The Agricultural Implement Manufacture, Importation, and Sale Act, 1905,”
which has expired.

Important matters affecting the Empire will be dealt with at a Conference
of Prime Ministers to be held in London on the 15th of April next, at which
it is intended this colony shall be represented.

A Conference dealing with shipping laws will also be held in London next
year, and my Advisers have arranged for the colony to be represented.

I feel confident you will give the position of the colony and the matters I
have brought under your notice, together with the measures that are to be
submitted, your earnest and careful consideration, and I trust that your labours
and decisions may, with God’s blessing, result in materially promoting the
prosperity, happiness, well-being, and lasting benefit of the people of New
Zealand.

By Authority: JOHN MACKAY, Government Printer, Wellington.—1906.