Oct 7. THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 2527

particular with the objections which have been raised to the systems of electing
and nominating the members of the various Harbour Boards. A Bill will be
introduced for your consideration this session which, although mainly a con-
solidating measure, will include many amendments suggested and approved by
the different Harbour Board conferences.

My Advisers are of opinion that it is the duty of the State to encourage the
workpeople of the Dominion to make provision against loss of earnings due to
incapacity through sickness or accident, and further to make provision for old
age, and, in the case of death, for the maintenance of dependents. Such
provision the State now substantially assists the members of its Civil Service
to make, and similar assistance is proposed in the case of all workers in private
employment. With this object you will be asked to pass the National Annuities
Bill introduced last year, and also amendments of the laws dealing with the
superannuation of the Public Service.

The paramount importance to human health and life of a pure milk-supply
has been increasingly recognised by the municipalities of this country, and the
time has now arrived when boroughs and cities should be empowered by law to
take such measures as they think fit to secure pure milk for the people, in-
cluding, if necessary, that of establishing a municipal supply. This and some
other desirable amendments of the Municipal Corporations Act will be submitted
for your consideration.

At present there is some overlapping of function among the Hospital and
Charitable Aid Boards, and some objection to the method of creating these
Boards. These defects will be remedied by a Bill which will be laid before
you.

It will be remembered that important proposals for the amendment of
shipping and seamen legislation were agreed to by the Maritime Conference held
in London in 1907, at which the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Sir
Joseph Ward, represented New Zealand. You will be asked to consider legis-
lation amending our Shipping and Seamen Act so as to give effect to the pro-
posals of the Conference.

The mining industry continues prosperous, but, employing as it does a very
large number of our people, it deserves the fullest encouragement at the hands
of the Government. The existing mining legislation is working smoothly, but
some amendments are desirable to make it more effective. These will be sub-
mitted for your consideration.

Legislation removing the difficulties which arose in connection with miners’
complaint and medical examination of miners will be submitted to you.

Bills amending or consolidating the law with regard to Native lands,
lands for settlement, advances to settlers, Crown lands, friendly societies,
hospital and charitable aid, Municipal Corporations, Harbour Boards,
factories, shops and offices, workmen’s homes, workers’ compensation for
accidents, industrial schools, public works, valuation of land, Maori Councils,
companies, bankruptcy, the law of libel, indecent literature, and other important
matters will be introduced for your attention.

I feel sure that in all these matters whose purpose is the improvement of
the well-being of the people and the development of the resources of a richly
endowed country you will employ your best energy and judgment, and I trust
that by the blessing of Almighty God your deliberations and proceedings will be
to the credit of Parliament, the good of New Zealand, and the honour of the
Empire.

By Authority: JOHN MACKAY, Government Printer, Wellington.