1752
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 47

Since I last met you the Right Honourable Sir Joseph George Ward,
Bart., K.C.M.G., at my request undertook to form a Ministry. On the 10th
December last he was appointed Prime Minister, and the Ministry is now in
office.

I regret exceedingly that during the recess the Honourable Sir Charles Perrin
Skerrett, K.C.M.G., K.C., Chief Justice, passed away. During a long and
illustrious career he rendered eminent public service to New Zealand, and his
untimely death was a national loss. The Honourable Michael Myers, K.C.,
has been appointed to fill the vacancy.

It is also with deep regret that I refer to the calamitous earthquake which
the Dominion recently experienced, and I join with you in extending sincere
sympathy to the relatives of those who lost their lives in the disaster. My
Government have intimated that generous practical assistance will be provided
for those who have unfortunately suffered loss, and measures for relief have
been undertaken.

My Ministers are firmly attached to the principles of the League of
Nations, and are determined to take any steps possible to forward the great
work of the League, and, in particular, that of peace and disarmament. In
this connection New Zealand had the honour in August last of accepting the
invitation to become one of the fifteen original signatories of the multilateral
Pact for the Renunciation of War, commonly known as the Kellogg Pact, and
has also taken the further step of ratification. This Pact has received almost
universal acceptance by the nations of the world, and its solemn renunciation
of war as an instrument of national policy has been described by a European
statesman as “the greatest collective deed born of peace.” While the Pact
has not, of course, entirely removed all danger of the evils of warfare, this
general renunciation of war, accepted, as it is, by all the nations who only a
decade ago were engaged in the greatest struggle in history, must inevitably
hasten the progress of world-wide disarmament and strengthen the cause of
international peace.

My Ministers will heartily support any practicable proposals for disarmament, and, as one step in this direction, they have recently signified
New Zealand’s acceptance of the Geneva Protocol of June, 1925, prohibiting the use in warfare of asphyxiating, poison, or other gases, and all
bacteriological methods. Until definite proposals for disarmament have
been prepared and generally accepted, however, they feel it their duty to
maintain such measures as are necessary for the safety of the country.

No change of policy is contemplated in respect of naval defence.

As a necessary auxiliary to the naval and land defence of New Zealand,
and as an aid to commerce and communication, my Government are impressed
with the importance of aviation; and it is their intention to take every
feasible step to promote interest in this subject throughout the Dominion.
It is hoped that the general establishment of Aero Clubs will assist
materially in this direction. Steps are being taken to maintain close
connection with the Air Ministry in the United Kingdom, and New Zealand
officers are being seconded for this purpose and for further training.

The position in the Mandated Territory of Western Samoa continues to
cause some anxiety, and there still exists in the Territory a movement, among a
considerable section of the Samoan people, of dissatisfaction with the Dominion’s
administration. My Government have decided to continue a policy of patience,
and have made it clear that while it is their intention to govern the Territory
with justice and equity to all and with sympathetic consideration to the
interests of the Samoans, they must administer the law, and will continue to
do so with firmness if the position requires it. It has been intimated that
while the Government cannot negotiate with any movement that is openly
flouting the law, the disaffected section of the Native population may be
assured of a full discussion and a generous consideration of any representations
so soon as their refusal to comply with the law is abandoned.

My Advisers recognize that the material prosperity of the Dominion
cannot be fully achieved without industrial peace, and they hope to maintain
the existing good relations in all branches of industry.