20 JUNE THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE 865

between life in the institution and in the community. My Government is mindful also of the need for hostels to accommodate these young people after their release and is prepared to offer financial assistance to church organisations where necessary to encourage their establishment.

Much is being done in replacing old penal institutions and erecting additional buildings. The new maximum-security institution at Paremoremo will be built as soon as possible.

Since its assumption of office my Government has been at all times conscious of the need to remove unnecessary restrictions on the freedom of the individual citizen and to expand the scope for him to enjoy his fundamental rights. Much has been done in this direction. My Ministers have anticipated that the passing of a Bill of Rights on the lines of that adopted a few years ago in Canada would be the best method of ensuring the preservation of the citizen’s freedom in the future. Consideration of the difficult issues involved in the drafting of such a Bill in the light of the experience of other countries is continuing, and you will be advised later of the action my Ministers propose to take.

You will be asked to consider a Bill to regulate bids to take over New Zealand companies; this will include provisions requiring full disclosure of information to shareholders and the allowing of adequate time for them to consider this information and obtain advice. Other measures to be submitted for your consideration will include a Bill to establish a tribunal to classify publications with a view to controlling the circulation of indecent material; a Bill to make better provision for the payment of compensation in proper cases to those who have suffered by reason of the commission of an offence; a revision of the law relating to land agents which will provide for the establishment of a fidelity guarantee fund; a Bill to define the professional status of persons engaged in architecture; and a measure to safeguard the employment rights of local government employees affected by the amalgamation of local authorities.

In accordance with my Government’s policy of promoting the self-government of the Cook Islands and Niue you will be asked to consider an amendment to the Cook Islands Act to provide for the establishment of an Executive Committee of the Niue Island Assembly, and to place membership of that Assembly on a purely elective basis. An amendment to the Tokelau Islands Act will also be submitted to you.

Further measures to be presented for your consideration include an amendment to the Machinery Act to protect the public in the use of fairground amusement devices; Bills to amend the Shipping and Seamen Act, the Charitable Trusts Act, and the Nurses and Midwives Registration Act; a Customs Acts Amendment Bill to validate a number of Orders in Council amending the Customs tariff; a consolidation of Part III of the Social Security Act; an amendment to the divorce laws to provide greater protection to the wife financially and more adequate safeguards for the children; a revision of the law relating to extradition and fugitive offenders; a Bill to revise the vagrancy laws; and a consolidation of the Secondhand Dealers Act.

I commend these matters to your careful consideration and I pray that Divine guidance will attend your deliberations.

Price 6d. BY AUTHORITY: R. E. OWEN, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND—1963