1920
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 54

Bills dealing comprehensively with the important question of our land system will be submitted to you at an early date.

The problem of how the State should deal with the vast areas of Native land in the North Island so as to open as much of it to European settlement as is consistent with the fullest regard to the interests of the Native owners has perplexed many past Administrations, and my Advisers, feeling that the first step to a permanent solution of this problem is a full and reliable knowledge of the facts and conditions involved, have, during the recess, advised me to appoint a Royal Commission, consisting of the Chief Justice and Mr. A. T. Ngata, M.H.R., and this Commission has accordingly been set up to investigate the land-requirements for maintenance of the Native owners and of the Native race throughout the colony, and also to ascertain what area of such Native land can, with full justice to the Native owners, be made available for European settlement. This Commission has been actively engaged in the pursuit of its duties for some months, and the result of its labours will be laid before you at an early date. It is proposed to introduce legislation, based upon the material supplied by the reports of this Commission, securing to the Native owners such land as they require, and making available for European settlement the surplus above these requirements.

MR. SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,—

The estimates of the revenue and expenditure for the year will be placed before you. They have been framed with a due regard both to efficiency and economy. The accounts show a very substantial surplus on the year’s transactions, and so far this year the receipts are in excess of the corresponding period of last year.

My Advisers believe that a judicious system of reciprocal tariff treaties with other portions of the Empire will benefit, not only New Zealand, but the Empire generally. A provisional treaty has been entered into with South Africa, subject of course, to confirmation by Parliament, and will be submitted for consideration accordingly.

Whilst in London, my Prime Minister discussed with Sir Wilfrid Laurier the question of a tariff treaty between this country and Canada, and negotiations are now in progress, the results of which, if they take practical form, will be submitted to you in due course.

A vigorous promotion of closer settlement and energetic construction of the main railway-lines now in hand will be cardinal objects of the policy of my Advisers will work to secure the completion of the North Island Main Trunk Railway by the end of next year.

My Ministers are fully alive to the hardships of our settlers, especially of those in the backblocks, consequent upon want of access to their holdings. You will be asked to make liberal provision for the construction of roads, telephones, and such other conveniences as may render the good work done by these settlers less irksome and trying than it has been in the past.

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

My Advisers are of opinion that it will be a great benefit to the trading community if the Customs tariff were revised and simplified. A measure dealing with this matter will be submitted to you, and provision will be made for lightening taxation as far as possible on the necessaries of life.

My Advisers fully appreciate the necessity of procuring for the ranks of the Civil Service men of the best ability and qualifications. The good results which have been achieved in our Post and Telegraph Department by its scheme of classification has led my Advisers to prepare for submission to you an extension of the system to other branches of the Public Service. Proposals dealing with a superannuation scheme for the Civil Service have also received the careful consideration of Ministers, and will be submitted to you.