My Government in December 1959 authorised payments of £12 for
married couples and £6 for unmarried beneficiaries in respect of certain
war pensions and social security benefits. You will be asked to consider
legislation to increase the relevant benefits by 5s. a week from 30 March
1960.

By March 1960 nearly 15,000 applications for capitalisation of
family benefit had been approved under the Family Benefit Home
Ownership Scheme. Through this and other schemes introduced by my
Government, the great majority of citizens now have facilities for the
building of homes. For those unable to accept the responsibility of
home ownership, rental houses will continue to be built at the accelerated
rate approved last year.

Cooperation between the Police Force and Child Welfare Officers
under the Juvenile Crime Prevention Scheme has proved most beneficial
in dealing with child welfare problems. Further Child Welfare District
Offices have been opened. Steps will be taken to bring into force this
year approved standards for private “day nurseries”. You will be
asked to consider legislation making provision for a right of appeal
from decisions of the Children’s Court.

The Commission on Education established by my Government has
begun its inquiry under wide terms of reference. Measures to ensure
that improved staffing schedules will be in operation by 1962 have been
approved. The development of technical education has been pressed
forward.

My Government, together with the universities, is actively considering
the report of the Committee on New Zealand Universities and has
already implemented the Committee’s recommendations on the salaries
of academic staff. You will be asked to consider legislation to amend
the New Zealand University Act 1908 to provide for the establishment
of a new University Grants Committee.

My Government is reviewing the margins for skill and responsibility
in rates of pay for the State Services to provide, where circumstances
warrant, increased salary margins. Provision for this objective will be
made in the departmental estimates. The new margins will take account
of the adjustment of university salaries and of salaries already paid and
other benefits granted outside the State Services.

My Government will give early consideration to the recommendations
of the Select Committee set up last year to consider the licensing
laws. You will be asked to consider legislation for the regulation
of unit trusts, a Cheques Bill, and a Penal Institutions Amendment
Bill to help the rehabilitation of prisoners.

My Government recognises the need for improved communications to
meet increasing demands from a growing population and an accelerated
industrial expansion. A telephone cable and radio route linking
Auckland and Wellington with intermediate centres will come into
operation this year. A multi-channel system between Dunedin and
Invercargill, also to be completed this year, will be the first step to
improved telephone communications in the South Island. My Government
is cooperating with the Governments of the United Kingdom,
Canada, and Australia in the construction of a trans-Pacific telephone
cable to link this country with Australia and Fiji in 1962 and with
Canada in 1964.

My Government has made the necessary arrangements for the earliest
introduction of television in New Zealand. The service from the
Auckland station is being expanded rapidly and equipment has been
ordered for experimental stations in Wellington, Christchurch, and
Dunedin. A continuous supply of good quality programme material has
been assured. You will be asked to consider legislation to amend the
Broadcasting Act 1936 to provide for the introduction of television.