770
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
[No. 34

With the favourable climatic conditions, dairy production has recovered from the setback of last season’s drought, and the export of butter will exceed the previous year’s shipments by approximately 20,000 tons.

An agreement has been made between my Government and the representatives of the dairy industry providing for the establishment of a Dairy Commission, for the determination each season of the guaranteed price and for the future responsibility for marketing butter and cheese overseas and in New Zealand. Legislation to give effect to this agreement will be submitted early in the session.

The promotion of the general well-being and progress of the Maori people has engaged the constant attention of my Government. During the year welfare officers were appointed under the Maori Social and Economic Advancement Act, and work has progressed on the development and settlement of Maori lands. A Royal Commission has been appointed to investigate the “surplus lands” claims, and other claims are receiving consideration.

My Ministers are convinced that the Crown should take such steps as are necessary to conserve the coal resources of the country and to ensure of their planned working, and to this end it is proposed, by legislation to be introduced at the present session of Parliament, to nationalize the coal-measures.

The Department of Labour and the National Employment Service have been amalgamated, and legislation to give effect to this merger will be introduced. The reorganized Department is giving constant attention to the improvement of industrial relations and the health, safety, and welfare of workers in industry.

As the speedy settlement of industrial disputes is an important factor in maintaining good industrial relations, legislation will be introduced for the purpose of providing assistance for the Court of Arbitration in carrying on its greatly increased duties. Amendments to the Workers’ Compensation Act to provide for considerable improvement in the compensation benefits will be placed before you.

My Government have made arrangements with His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom for a scheme of assisted immigration, the limiting factor in which is the amount of shipping available.

Schedules of works to be constructed during the next ten years have been announced by my Government as part of their policy of co-ordinating the development of national resources. In the consideration of these proposals for the forward development of all districts full regard for the views and interests of the local communities is ensured by the machinery for joint review between my Government and Regional Councils representing the local authorities. This close collaboration also ensures that local needs are best served in the determination of priorities made necessary by the present shortage of man-power and materials. The highest priorities have been given to housing and electricity works. Notwithstanding the difficulties in obtaining supplies of materials, the total number of new dwellings erected last year reached the record total of 9,463. For the purpose of producing a supply of electricity adequate to meet the ever-increasing demand every possible action is being taken to hasten the construction of the major hydro-electric schemes. A constant search is being made throughout the world for available generating-plants of a suitable type.

Economic stabilization continues to be a basic consideration of my Government’s policy. Although there have been slight improvements during the past year in the availability of certain commodities, there remains a wide discrepancy between supply and demand for goods. In the interests of all sections of the community the continuation of an effective stabilization policy is essential to prevent inflationary increases in prices.