the year ended 31 March 1970 the industry exceeded the target for
overseas exchange earnings set by the National Development
Conference.

My Government will continue with its announced intention to
remove products from import licensing subject to the need to
preserve the legitimate interests of New Zealand producers. My
Government will also be proceeding with the strengthening of the
Trade Practices Act having regard to any recommendations made
by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Commerce.

The Mining Bill which revises and consolidates the Mining Act
1926 was introduced during the last Session. It has been the subject
of lengthy study by the Select Committee on Labour and Mining.
You will be asked to consider this Bill as amended in the Committee.

My Government is studying the report of the Select Committee on
Compensation for Personal Injury in New Zealand. It considers
that further consultation with interested parties will be necessary
but hopes to be able to introduce a Bill during this Session.
Progress continues to be made in the field of industrial welfare and
safety and you will be asked to consider amendments to the
Factories Act, the Construction Act and the Machinery Act. An
amendment to the Annual Holidays Act will be submitted for
your consideration prescribing the calculation of holiday pay on the
basis of a worker's gross weekly earnings as against the present
formula which does not take into account earnings from overtime.

My Government desires to promote good industrial relations in
the waterfront industry and to improve cargo handling efficiency
and the co-ordination of port activities. You will be asked to
consider a Bill to amend the Waterfront Industry Act 1953. This
will provide for a New Zealand Waterfront Industry Board and
Port Industry Boards representative of all waterfront employers'
and workers' organisations to carry out the legislative functions
which are the present responsibility of the Waterfront Industry
Commission and the Port Conciliation Committees. It will also
provide for the legislative and judicial functions of the Waterfront
Industry Tribunal to be extended to apply to other employers
and workers on the waterfront.

In 1970 my Government set up a Commission of Inquiry into New
Zealand Merchant Shipping. This Commission, under its terms
of reference is considering submissions which have covered all
facets of New Zealand Mercantile Marine. The report of the
Commission is to be submitted to my Government shortly, and if
appropriate, legislation will be introduced this year to give effect
to its recommendations.

Honourable Members, the advancement of the Maori and
Polynesian people of New Zealand has continued to be one of
the major concerns of my Government. The report of the National
Advisory Committee on Maori Education has been published and
will serve as a guide to my Government on future developments in
this important field. Extension of the special trade training
programmes has been possible this year with the introduction of
three new courses and increased intakes in existing courses. These
programmes have an important role in equipping young Maoris to
make a full contribution to the economic development of their
country.

In keeping with its policy of giving separate corporate status to the
Boards controlling the medical and allied professions my Government
proposes to introduce legislation to establish a separate Nursing