864
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
No. 37

particular press forward with the establishment of the iron and steel
industry as a New Zealand venture to which the public will be invited
to subscribe capital.

A Bill will be presented to you to validate an agreement on the
development of the power potential of Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau
under which power will be supplied to the national electricity system
and options for power will be granted to facilitate the establishment
of an aluminium industry in Southland.

To ensure the full development and use of the national fishing
resources you will be asked to consider amendments to the Fisheries
Act to implement recommendations of the Select Committee on the
Fishing Industry.

My Ministers are concerned that the transport industry, both public
and private, should be in a position to meet the needs of a steadily
expanding economy. They will accordingly continue the modernisation
of railway facilities, give full support to the work of the National
Roads Board, and develop airports and airway facilities to the
standards required for the operation of modern commercial aircraft.

Agreement has been reached by the waterfront employers’ and
workers’ organisations and the Federation of Labour for the appoint-
ment of a committee to examine the practicability of introducing shift
work on the waterfront. The Waterfront Industry Commission and
the appropriate Departments are also assisting the comprehensive
review of factors affecting the turn-round of overseas shipping, which
is being made under the sponsorship of the New Zealand Producer
Boards and the British shipping lines.

In the field of Maori affairs my Ministers continue to attach special
importance to measures designed to promote the legal, social, and
economic equality of Maori and European citizens. In the execution
of this policy they welcome the valuable assistance which can be given
by the New Zealand Maori Council established during the past year.
Trade-training schemes have been continued and expanded, and
promising Maori post-primary pupils are being encouraged and helped
to continue their education. In this connection the financial support
accorded to the Maori Education Foundation’s campaign for funds
has been most gratifying. In the vital matter of accommodation, more
houses have been provided for Maoris during the last year than in any
previous year, with the result that a programme designed to house
4,300 Maori families in four years has been carried out in three.

Over the country as a whole the housing position has continued to
improve. More than 5,000 families were allocated State houses last
year and the number of applications, both in total and in the urgent
classification, has fallen. In the coming year the housing con-
struction programme will continue at the present level but, as housing
is now very much a localised problem, special attention will be given
to those areas where the need is greatest. In accordance with my
Government’s policy of emphasising home ownership, half of the
serviced sections produced during the last two years by the Housing
Division have been made available to the public. There has also been
a welcome and considerable increase in the sale of State houses.

Action has been taken on a number of recommendations of the
Commission on Education and my Minister of Education is continuing
his consultations with local controlling authorities, teachers’ organisa-
tions, and other interested groups on the action to be taken on the
remaining recommendations. Bills to constitute the Massey University
of Manawatu and the University of Waikato will mark a further step
in the advancement of higher education. Another Bill will be introduced
to reconstitute the National Council of Adult Education. You will
also be asked to consider measures to clarify the law relating to the
enrolment and attendance of school pupils, and to make provision for
the establishment, control, and organisation of technical institutes.

My Ministers continue to be concerned with the problems posed by
the youthful offender. Pre-release hostels are being established to help
in transforming these offenders into useful citizens by bridging the gap