Pursuant to Proclamation of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, No. 215 dated 19th October, 1944, summoning Parliament to meet on this day for the dispatch of business, members met in the Assembly Chamber of the House of Assembly, Parliament Houses, Cape Town, and Mr. Speaker took the Chair at 11.35 a.m.

The CLERK of the House read the Proclamation.

Mr. SPEAKER announced that a vacancy had occurred during the recess in the representation in this House of the electoral division of Port Elizabeth (Central) owing to the death of Col. A. P. J. Wares. V.D.

Mr. SPEAKER and members proceeded to the Senate House to attend the ceremony of the opening of Parliament, and on their return, Mr. SPEAKER took the Chair, and read prayers.

Mr. SPEAKER appointed the Prime Minister and Dr. Malan a Committee to assist Mr. Speaker in regard to the printing of the House.

Mr. SPEAKER appointed the following members to constitute with Mr. Speaker the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders, viz.: The Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Mines, the Minister of Labour, Dr. Malan, Mr. J. G. Strydom, Mr. Trollip, Mr. Higgerty; Mr. Naudé and Mr. Sauer.

Mr. SPEAKER reported that the House had this day attended the ceremony of the opening of Parliament, and that His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government 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 MEMBERS OF THE SENATE:

MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY:

I am glad to welcome you to this the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament of the Union.

The shadow of war still darkens the life of humanity. Since Parliament last met great progress has been made by the armed forces of the Allies, and a victorious end of the struggle has been brought appreciably nearer. Vast sufferings are however still being endured, and great exertions still have to be made before that end is reached. My Ministers are deeply conscious of the obligation which rests upon us all to do everything that can be done to hasten the victory, and so to secure relief from the heavy burdens of suffering and destruction now resting upon the world.

Our own forces have continued to play their part worthily on land, at sea, and in the air. The number of those serving in the combat areas has increased considerably, and the value of their contribution to the ultimate victory has drawn many expressions of high appreciation from those under whom they have served. They have won high honour for South Africa, and their country is proud of them.

The Union’s relations with her Allies and with neutral states remain most cordial. It has participated fully in the friendly collaboration which exists between the United Nations, both in the prosecution of the war and in the formulation of postwar plans. In particular it has been represented at important Conferences on monetary and financial co-operation, on civil aviation and on the setting up of a postwar World Organisation.

The Union’s internal economy is still affected by the stresses and strains caused by an international conflict of unprecedented magnitude. To some extent however the favourable turn of the war has brought relief, and it has been possible to relax partially certain of the emergency control measures in regard to commodities. It is the intention of my Ministers to proceed along the line of relaxation at a rate and to an extent commensurate with the improvement in the general supply position.

The gold mining industry retains Its important position in the Union’s life, although the difficulties which present conditions bring in their train have led to a further fall in the output of gold. My Ministers realise the importance of the maintance of the output in the post-war period. They have appointed a Committee to investigate the problems in connection with the mining of gold at greater depths than has been the practice hitherto, and its report should shortly be available.

The demand for diamonds, especially industrial diamonds needed for war industries, has grown and in response thereto local production has been increased by the re-opening of two mines at Kimberley, and the re-equipment of mines elsewhere with a view to meeting the demand for industrial diamonds is being proceeded with.

In the Union’s coalfields resources are being strained to the utmost to fulfil the demands arising from the war, and despite transport and other difficulties, last year’s output showed a substantial increase over the previous year.

My Ministers have given much attention to the question of the reconstruction of agriculture in the light of the reports of the Social and Economic Planning Council and of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Some of the economic issues raised in their reports are of a far-reaching nature and are still being examined in relation to the post-war world economic structure. Wherever and so far as practicable steps are being taken to promote the reclamation, conservation and protection of our agricultural resources and for the improvement of farming methods.

Climatic conditions and other factors have made the food supply position sometimes difficult during the past year, and temporary shortages have been experienced in such important articles as meat, potatoes, butter and cheese. Active measures were however taken by the Food Control Organisation to deal with the situation, which was substantially alleviated as a result. The position in the present year will depend largely on the rainfall during the next few months. Everything possible is however being done to maintain production at a high level, and the farming community may be relied upon to do all they can to meet the needs of consumers.

The problems incident to the transition from war to peace loom increasingly large, and receive the constant thought of my Ministers.

Of primary importance in this connection is the re-absorption of our returning exvolunteers into civil life. The Government’s demobilisation plans were laid before you during the last Session of Parliament; since then much has been done to create the necessary machinery to carry out these plans, and they were brought into operation on the 3rd January.

Considerable problems arise in connection with the transition of our industrial structure from a war-time to a peace-time basis, carrying with it as it does the danger of large-scale displacement of labour. My Ministers anticipate that this transition will be a gradual one, and their policy in regard to industries is designed to stimulate the maintenance of conditions providing for a high and stable level of productive employment for all classes of the community in the post-war period. Close cooperation with private enterprise, and assistance where the circumstances warrant it, and where obligations to the community have been met, are features of that policy.

At the same time it is generally accepted that, as far as the people as a whole is concerned, the end of the war should bring not merely a return to what was regarded as normal before it began, but a general improvement in the living conditions, especially of the lower income groups. Following on the report of the Select Committee appointed last year in the House of Assembly, my Ministers have gone thoroughly into the questions which fall under the term Social Security, and legislative proposals in this connection will be submitted to you.

Since the last Session the report of the National Health Services Commission has been published, and has been welcomed by my Ministers as an important and valuable document. While it has been found that there are serious difficulties in the way of immediately implementing the report as a whole the establishment of health centres, which is fundamental to the National Health Service scheme, is being proceeded with, and various other important recommendations are being followed up. Everything possible will be done to make health services available to all sections of the community as soon as practicable.

Among the legislative measures which will be submitted to you are the following :

MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY :

Additional Estimates of Expenditure for the current financial year and Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the ensuing financial year will be laid before you.

MR. PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE SENATE :

MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS 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 Ninth Parliament of the Union of South Africa to be duly opened.

Late Col. A. P. J. Wares, V.D.