27 APRIL

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

My Ministers propose to put before you a number of measures
in the field of social welfare. These will include Bills consolidating and
amending the Mental Health Act, the Child Welfare Act, and the
Food and Drugs Act. You will also be asked to validate recent increases
in Social Security benefits and war pensions.

My Government will continue by all available means to advance
the welfare of the Maori people. It will give due attention to the
development of Maori land, to improved housing for Maori families,
to the apprenticeship training schemes, and to the city pre-employment
courses. A Bill to amend the provisions of the Maori Affairs Act 1953
and other special Acts relating to Maori land will be introduced early
in the session.

You will be invited to give further consideration to a Bill revising
the law governing bankruptcy and other forms of insolvency. This
measure, which was introduced during the previous Parliament, has
been amended following discussions with interested parties. The provisions of a Bill to provide aid in civil proceedings to persons of modest
means are also being reviewed before the proposal is again submitted
to you.

My Ministers anticipate that during the forthcoming session you will
complete the consideration of the Electricity Distribution Commission
Bill, the Rating Bill, and the Water and Soil Conservation Bill, which
have been studied by Select Committees during the Recess.

A Trustee Companies Bill is being drafted to bring together and
to revise the separate Acts relating to these companies.

My Government proposes to introduce legislation providing for
referenda on the term of Parliament and on hours for the sale of liquor
in hotel bars. There will also be a measure to extend the jurisdiction of
the Ombudsman to some local bodies which derive revenue principally
from Government grant. A review is being made of the Local Government Commission Act.

There has been good progress in the development of plans for the
formal establishment of a maritime park in the Hauraki Gulf and for
the control of the islands which will constitute the park. My Ministers
are also formulating proposals for the reservation of certain areas
around Lake Taupo. A Committee has been established to consider
the best way of commemorating the bicentenary in 1969 of Captain
Cook's first landing in New Zealand.

My Ministers have paid close attention to the plans for the introduction of decimal currency on 10 July. You will be asked to give
early consideration to a Decimal Currency Bill which will complete the
legislative changes that are necessary for the changeover to dollars
and cents.

In order to provide for the further development of broadcasting and
television services, my Ministers will submit to you a Bill to establish
an independent licensing authority to consider applications for additional stations and to supervise programme standards.

Among other measures which will be placed before you this session
there will be a Post Office Amendment Bill, a Superannuation Amendment Bill, a Sale of Liquor Amendment Bill, and a Soil Conservation
and Rivers Control Amendment Bill, together with proposals to amend
the Local Authorities Loans Act, the Valuation of Land Act, and the
Town and Country Planning Act.

I commend these matters to your careful consideration and I pray
that the guidance of Almighty God will bestow its blessing on your
deliberations.

BY AUTHORITY: R. E. OWEN, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND—1967

Price 6d.