Excellent progress is being made with the task of meeting the
housing needs of our people. There are indications that the housing
shortage has been overcome in some areas, but my Government is
maintaining its efforts to meet the problem where it exists.

Our growing population carries with it an increasing number of
pupils in all types of schools. Very great efforts continue to be made
in the provision of adequate school accommodation and a sixth college
has been established, at Palmerston North, for the training of primary
teachers. A start has been made on the erection of additional permanent
buildings to meet increased University rolls.

Certain aspects of our hospitals administration have been under
review and proposals involving some changes in hospital administration
following changes in the financing of hospital services will be placed
before you for your consideration.

My Government has already given effect to several of the recom-
mendations of last year’s National Conference on the Care of the Aged.
These have been of material assistance to many of our elderly people.

A Bill dealing with reciprocity in social security benefits between
the United Kingdom and New Zealand will be placed before you
during the session. My Government has introduced improved superan-
nuation benefits for Government and local body employees, and you
will be asked to consider a Bill consolidating the superannuation
legislation.

One important measure which my Ministers propose to submit for
your consideration during the session is a consolidation and revision
of the electoral law. It is hoped that the new legislation will effect
considerable simplification of procedure and detail. Other consolidating
measures that you will be asked to consider will be an Evidence Bill
and a Trustee Bill.

My Ministers are giving consideration to the proper procedure
which should be followed by Ministers in the arrangement of their
private interests on assuming office under the Crown. The views of
my Ministers will be conveyed to you and you will be asked to give
this question your careful consideration.

Legislation will be placed before you re-enacting the Indecent
Publications Act along the lines recommended by the Parliamentary
Committee on Delinquency. Amendments to the Shipping and Seamen
Act 1952 and to the Harbours Act 1950 will also be introduced.

You will also be asked to consider Bills dealing with the control of
our national archives, the control of destructive and noxious animals,
and a revision of the law relating to explosives and dangerous goods.

In the early part of this session, a Counties Amendment Bill will be
placed before you providing for differential rates in county towns.
Subsequently, a Counties Consolidation Bill will be introduced as a
further step in the general codification of the law relating to local
authorities.

Excellent progress has been maintained during the last six years
in work on the consolidation of our statutes and some eighty-four
have already been completed. This work will be continued with a
view to issuing a reprint of the statutes which cannot be long delayed.

However, following the large number of Bills passed in recent
sessions, this session of Parliament is expected to have a comparatively
light programme of legislation.

May the blessing of Almighty God rest upon your counsels.