Mr. SPEAKER
reported that the House had this day attended the ceremony of the opening of Parliament, and that His Excellency the Governor-General was pleased to deliver an opening speech to both Houses of Parliament, of which, for greater accuracy, he had received a copy, as follows:—
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Senate:
Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of The House of Assembly:
My Ministers are much gratified at the evident desire of all sections of the community to assist in promoting the peace and prosperity of the country.
It is with the greatest satisfaction and pleasure that they record the very good and friendly relations between the Union and her neighbours, Rhodesia and the Province of Mozambique, a friendship which it is their sincere desire to see secured for the future.
The present Session of Parliament opens under happier auspices than the last. The most serious locust infestation which the Union has known has been successfully overcome within its borders and the steps taken by my Government will, it is hoped, prevent any important inroads from neighbouring territories. The agricultural position is very promising owing in great part to good rains over a large portion of the Union.
My Ministers have had under consideration the position of the Mandated Territory of South-West Africa and propose at an early date to introduce legislation providing for the necessary measure of self-government for that territory.
My Ministers have given close attention to the matter of the revision of the Financial Relations existing between the Union and the Provinces, which have long been felt to be on an unsatisfactory basis.
In order that any necessary changes should be effected with the goodwill and co-operation of the various Provincial Administrations, a Conference was convened at Durban in October last as a result of which a new form of subsidy dependent upon the obligations of the Provinces in the matter of education has been adopted.
Changes to produce uniformity in trading and other licence fees payable throughout the several Provinces, and the limitation and stricter definition of the scope of Provincial taxation, were agreed to. Proposals embodying these changes will be submitted to Parliament.
A Bill providing for the uniform direct taxation of natives and the establishment of a Native Development Fund for the furtherance of education and other means of promoting the welfare and advancement of the Native population will be laid before you.
The question of unemployment has had the unremitting and careful attention of my Ministers. Certain Departments of State have been able largely to increase the number of persons employed on wage conditions in keeping with civilized standards and efforts have been made with an encouraging degree of success to secure the co-operation of private employers of labour to this end.
In regard to rural unemployment, definite plans have been framed and initial steps taken which, when fully developed, will enable the Department of Labour to deal systematically with the re-training of those sections of the European population which have fallen into conditions generally recognized as deplorable.
The policy of broadening the basis of civilized labour in the Railway Administration and the more extensive manufacture in the Union of the requirements of the Railways and Harbours Administration has been initiated with success, and it is proposed to develop and extend this policy.
My Ministers have under consideration a programme of Railway Construction which will be laid before you.
In view of the acute and wide-spread distress prevailing among all sections of the community in Van Rhynsdorp and Namaqualand, my Ministers authorized the construction of a railway from Klaver to Kokenaap as a measure of relief in that area. You will be asked to approve of the action which has been taken in commencing the construction of the line.
With the improvement in the financial position of the Railways and Harbours Administration, it has been possible to effect reductions in Railway tariffs which will assist in fostering agricultural and industrial production in the Union.
Bills to amend and consolidate the laws relating to Railways and Harbours Service conditions and superannuation and financial benefits of Railways and Harbours servants will be submitted to you
Land settlement will be encouraged by the grant of greater facilities to intending settlers. Amending land settlement legislation to be laid before you will include substantial measures of relief for those settlers who have suffered from adverse farming conditions.
Several measures for the improvement of agricultural conditions will be placed before you.
A Bill providing for the appointment of a permanent Irrigation Commission will be submitted.
In order to promote the welfare of large sections of the people and to establish more stable conditions of labour, a Wages Bill will be presented for your consideration.
An Emergency Powers Bill will be submitted, the provisions of which are designed to minimize the risk of disorder in connection with extensive industrial disputes and to promote their peaceful settlement.
A consolidating Miners’ Phthisis Bill amending the present Acts will be introduced.
My Ministers will also submit to you a Bill to regulate and control the diamond trade.
Encouragement has been given in various directions to industrial expansion in the Union, and my Ministers are still carefully considering the further steps which can be taken in this direction.
To foster a healthy South African national spirit and sentiment a Nationality and Flag Bill will be introduced.
Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of The House of Assembly:
Additional estimates of revenue and expenditure for the present financial year and estimates of revenue and expenditure for the ensuing financial year will be laid before you.
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Senate:
Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of The House of Assembly:
In commending these matters to your consideration, I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may guide and sustain you in your labours.
In His Majesty’s name I now declare this, the Second Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Union of South Africa to be duly opened.