2510
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 59

I have recently visited the Islands of the Cook Group, which form part of the Dominion of New Zealand, and was accompanied by the Hon. Dr. Pomare, the Minister in Charge of the Administration of the Islands. I am satisfied that the information obtained during my visit will enable my Ministers to improve the condition of these possessions of the Dominion. The measures to be proposed to you by my Government in relation to education were explained, and were received with great satisfaction by the Natives throughout the Islands. My Ministers recognize the responsibility which the Government of the Dominion has assumed in regard to the Islands, and have had under their consideration the legislation which has been enacted in past years. They propose to submit to you a measure by which those laws will be recast, revised, and consolidated.

It is with satisfaction that I am able to announce that the smallpox epidemic which broke out in this Dominion last year has been coped with successfully. Every effort is being made to prevent the recrudescence of this disease.

The San Francisco mail-service contract, which terminated in March last, has been renewed for a period of five years from the 1st April, 1914. Provision has been made for a considerable reduction in the rate of freight for butter to America by both the Vancouver and the San Francisco routes, and, to meet the expected increased demand for space, two larger steamers of improved design are to be placed in the service from the 31st December, 1915.

During the past year three new wireless-telegraph stations have been established: two high-power stations — at Awanui and Awarua — and a low-power station at the Chatham Islands.

Under the land legislation of the last two sessions full effect is being given to the intention of Parliament. Tenants of Crown and settlement land have been enabled to acquire the fee-simple of their holdings, the subdivision of privately owned estates is proceeding rapidly, the tenures of land (including land within mining districts) have been improved, pastoral tenants have been granted the right to elect between accepting full valuation for improvements at the termination of existing licenses and a new license over the whole or part of their runs at a revised rental, and in all parts of the country closer settlement has been promoted.

The legislation authorizing the constitution of special road districts, providing as it does for the expenditure of the moneys received from the lands upon the construction of roads and bridges, is much appreciated, and will be of great value to the settlers living in remote and isolated parts of the country.

The Crown lands of the Dominion which still remain unoccupied are being surveyed and opened for selection as expeditiously as circumstances permit.

During the last financial year there has been a gratifying increase in the revenue derived from Crown lands and land-for-settlements estates, the amount received having exceeded all previous records.

I deeply regret that since I last met you the Dominion has lost through death the valuable services of Sir William Russell, a member of the Legislative Council, and of Mr. George Laurenson, member of Parliament for Lyttelton.

The closing months of the year 1913 were marked by an industrial struggle which seriously menaced the trade and prosperity of the country. At the commencement of the trouble scenes of violence were frequently witnessed, and breaches of the law were of daily occurrence; but, thanks to the efficiency of the permanent police and to the admirable public spirit displayed by citizens of the Dominion who proffered their services as foot and mounted special constables, peace and order were speedily restored, the produce of the country was shipped without undue delay to the markets of the world, and a state of industrial quiet re-established.

The problem of the cost of living has engaged the attention of my Advisers during the recess, and certain proposals relating to this question will be placed before you for consideration.

When I last met you the conditions of the principal money-markets of the world made it difficult to obtain financial assistance for public works and other services. I am pleased to be able to announce that during the last financial