Under the direction of my Minister of Overseas Trade, continuous
attention is being given to the expansion of New Zealand's overseas
earnings. The valuable contribution that forestry and its associated
industries can make to this end, as well as to domestic requirements, is
fully recognised. A representative Export Advisory Council will be
established. My Ministers are also actively promoting the development
of the tourist industry in the confidence that it has an important part
to play in improving the country’s balance of payments.

The farming industry will, however, continue to be the foundation
of the country’s economy. My Government’s constant aim, therefore,
is to encourage farm production, to bring in new land that can be
developed economically and to promote the more intensive and efficient
use of land now being farmed. My Ministers are taking all possible
steps to protect existing markets and develop new ones for New Zealand’s
farm production.

You will be asked to consider an amendment to the Land Settlement
Promotion legislation to abolish the personal residence requirements
of the Act and thus stimulate the private development of farm land.
Greater opportunities are being given to civilians to obtain farms
developed by the Government; the legitimate rights of ex-servicemen
have been protected.

The consolidation of the New Zealand Dairy Board and the New
Zealand Dairy Products Marketing Commission into a single new
organisation, under a Bill to be placed before you, will mark a significant
step forward in the development of the dairy industry. Proposals to
alter the constitution of the New Zealand Wool Commission are also
under examination. You will be asked to consider Bills to amend the
Stock Act and the Hydatids Act.

My Ministers will continue to encourage the establishment of
research associations supported jointly by the farming and other
industries and the Government. I was pleased recently to open the
new laboratories of the Meat Industry Research Institute in Hamilton.

The demand for labour has risen to a point of intensity prejudicial
to the stability of the economy. Production on the farms and in industry
is being hampered. To promote stability, while maintaining full employ-
ment, my Government has accordingly taken action to curb the rise
in demand for goods and services and to increase the inflow of assisted
immigrants.

You will be asked to consider an amendment to the Industrial
Conciliation and Arbitration Act designed to restore the principle of
voluntary membership of industrial unions; the right will be given
to negotiate preference clauses in awards and industrial agreements.
You will also be asked to consider legislation to consolidate and revise
the Agricultural Workers Act and the Shearers’ Accommodation Act,
and amendments to the Apprentices Act, the Factories Act, the
Machinery Act, the Tenancy Act, and the Workers’ Compensation Act.

A Royal Commission is to be appointed shortly to inquire into the
structure and functions of the State services. It will be asked to recom-
mend changes needed to ensure that the public service is properly
staffed and equipped to deal in the most efficient manner with the
complex technical and administrative problems which face it today.

My Ministers have given close consideration to the present heavy
demands on the building industry. It has been necessary to delay some
Government construction projects. House building in particular has
been at an extremely high level, with most of the finance coming from
Government sources.

There has been a marked fall in urgent demands for State houses
and this year the building programme will be reduced accordingly.
More Crown sections are being made available to those who wish to
build their own homes. You will be asked to consider legislation to
facilitate the purchase of existing houses. The Family Benefit
Capitalisation Scheme is to be extended to the purchase of State
rental houses by tenants.