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THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 83
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 this 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 the wishes expressed by oversea 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 Commander-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 to visit this
Dominion, and I have no doubt that this great soldier’s career of signal service
to the Empire will insure him a worthy welcome.
The seasons and harvests of this country have continued bountiful, and the
productiveness of its various industries has maintained more than its average
forward stride. Measured quantitatively the total production is greater than ever.
Unfortunately, financial disturbances in the Old World and low prices for some
of the chief products of this Dominion resulted in stringency in the money-
market and a reduction in the national income of New Zealand.
The depression consequent upon these causes is rapidly disappearing, as
prices are recovering and financial stringency relaxing. The present outlook,
all 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 problems and
questions which affect the commercial prosperity of all His Majesty’s dominions.
The members of this 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 industries, measured by the value of its
product and the number of its workmen, is the timber industry. Depression
and disorganization having arisen in it (alleged to be 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 be
placed before you.
Towards the close of last session a series of charges were made in Par-
liament against the Police Department, and my Advisers, feeling that a
Department so closely allied to the administration of justice as this is 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
and upon any others brought before it. The report and recommendations of
the Commission will be laid before you for consideration.
MR. SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,—
As compared with the previous year’s returns, there was an increase last year
in revenue from Post and Telegraphs, Railways, Land and Income Tax, Excise,
Stamps, Marine, and Miscellaneous Services. Owing, however, chiefly to the
remission in Customs duties on the various imported necessaries of life,
and partly to the falling-off in imports naturally consequent upon the dimi-
nished 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
the revenue has so lost the people have gained) has any occasion for regret.
An earnest and vigorous effort has been made to reduce the cost of the
public service by amalgamating Departments and pruning and dispensing with
any branches which have fulfilled, or nearly fulfilled, the purpose of public utility
for which they were originated. It is believed that when the necessary retire-
ments, changes, and amalgamations are completed the public service, as far as
practicable, will combine the desiderata of a high standard of economy and
efficiency.