His Excellency the Governor: Honourable Members, Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to send the following message: "I am glad at the opening of the first session of the Legislative Assembly under the New Constitution of Singapore to express to my people in Singapore my great satisfaction at the significant advance in their constitutional progress which is marked by this occasion. The Council of Ministers will now have to deal with the many problems of Government and upon them will fall the chief burden of responsibility for the continued advancement and prosperity of Singapore and for the welfare and safety of its citizens. I look forward with every confidence to the faithful discharge of this trust for I am sure that those on whom this responsibility falls will carry it out with foresight, courage and honesty of purpose. It is my earnest hope that the work of the Legislative Assembly under the New Constitution will be blest with every success." I have also received a message to you from the Secretary of State for the Colonies which reads as follows: "It gives me great pleasure to send a message of greetings and goodwill to the Legislative Assembly of Singapore on the historic occasion of its first meeting under the New Constitution. My only regret is that neither I nor any of my Ministerial Colleagues can be present in person to deliver it. I must first of all congratulate all those who have taken part in the working out of this New Constitution, the Committee under the Chairmanship of Sir George Rendel who now see the fulfilment of their labours and His Excellency the Governor and his officers who have devoted much time to framing and bringing the Constitution into operation. Secondly I want to express the satisfaction of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom at the successful completion of an important task which is signified by the convening of this Assembly today and our most sincere good wishes for the prosperity and happiness of Singapore in the New Era, which is now opening. It is with every confidence that I look to the Assembly and the Council of Ministers to build and maintain a tradition of mature deliberation and of sound and impartial administration. You will I am sure prove yourselves worthy of the high trust which has been reposed in you by the people of Singapore. Good luck to you all." This first meeting of the Legislative Assembly inaugurates an epoch in the constitutional history of Singapore. In the period of 136 years since its establishment under the British flag as a trading centre, Singapore has been transformed from the small village, which was located here where this House of Assembly stands, to a centre of world trade with its port ranking as the tenth busiest in the world. The Government of this cosmopolitan island has hitherto been in the hands of professional administrators. Today Singapore is governed by a Council of Ministers answerable to a Legislature which is predominantly popularly elected. Men and women of good sense will be confident that under its new form of Government Singapore will not only continue to flourish but will flourish even more healthily than in the past. And there is good reason for this belief for we have already had a most striking demonstration of the realisation by the people of Singapore of their responsibilities in this matter. The General Election held earlier this month showed that the people of Singapore understand the importance of the vote and the need for casting their votes in accordance with their convictions. It is now for the Council of Ministers and this Assembly as a whole to see to it that the popular will thus democratically expressed is carried out. Let no man suppose that he knows better than the Election results. It is appropriate that I should on this occasion indicate the broad lines of policy which the Government intends to pursue as well as the programme for the next year in so far as the Ministers have been able to plan it in the short time since their appointment. The Government recognises that the welfare of the people of Singapore can best be served by the early attainment of complete internal self-government and union with the Federation of Malaya and will direct its efforts to achieving these immediate ends. In pursuance of these aims, the Government intends to give its vigorous support to the policy of staffing the Public Service with locally domiciled officers. Whilst seeking this objective, the Government recognises the just claims of officers recruited from overseas who have taken part in building up the present administration, and undertakes to look after their interests. If any of these officers are found to be redundant as a result of the implementation of the Malayanisation policy, the Government will ensure that adequate abolition terms will be fixed having regard to the interruption of the career which the officer had a right to expect when he accepted his appointment. In the meantime, no more expatriate officers will be appointed without prior reference to the Council of Ministers. The Government has implicit confidence in the continued loyalty of the Civil Service. The Government recognises that commerce is the lifeblood of the local economy. It will be the policy of the Government to foster the expansion of our great entrepot trade which is world-wide, and at the same time to encourage in all practical ways the development of local industries. The Government recognises the low level of the standard of living of the large mass of the people of the country and the threat of unemployment on a wide scale, and will seek to encourage a more equitable distribution of the income of the country and the utilisation of its wealth in a wider field. The Government awaits with interest the report of the Mission from the International Bank for Re-construction and Development which recently visited Singapore and the Federation of Malaya. In planning its economic policy full consideration will be given to the recommendations of this important Mission. The Government intends to secure in the near future the services of an Economic Adviser, and to appoint an Economic Commission to advise the Government on the most suitable lines of economic development designed to improve the general standard of living, and increase opportunities for useful work. The Commission will include in its task the consideration, in consultation with the Government of the Federation of Malaya, of the question of establishing a Central Bank for Malaya. The creation of a fully representative Trade Advisory Council to advise the Minister for Commerce, which was recommended by the Rendel Commission, will be undertaken forthwith. The Government recognises the great importance of close consultation with all commercial interests in Singapore. It is proposed to arrange for early discussions with our important trading partners in order to promote good neighbourly relations and to stimulate the flow of trade on mutually advantageous terms. The object of the Government, it is emphasised, is to raise the standard of living of all the people of Singapore and for this purpose the assistance of private capital is necessary; the maximum encouragement for this will be offered to both local and overseas investors. The Government recognises the vital role of trade unionism in raising the standard of living and fostering the prosperity of the country, and all possible assistance will be given to strengthening the movement. The Government will pursue a policy of the orderly adjustment of relations between employers and employees by agreement between themselves. Where the parties are unable to reach agreement by direct negotiation the services of the Ministry of Labour will be freely available for conciliation. To assist the small man in raising his standard of living greater attention will be paid in the future to co-operative development, and more emphasis will be placed on assisting our farmers and fishermen. To stimulate interest in farming an Agricultural Fair will be held this year. It is the intention of the Government to develop as rapidly as possible an adequate and suitable road system for the rural areas. The imperative and pressing need for adequate housing for those in the lower income group, including the solution of the problem of the attap dwellers and the clearance of slum areas is a challenge which the Government appreciates can only be met by the most vigorous and in some cases drastic measures. It is the firm intention of the Government to find the solution to this problem and in doing so it will in the future place more emphasis on the provision of public housing at the lowest possible cost even if this means some lowering of standards. It is also the intention of the Government to find ways and means of encouraging those in the low-income groups to own their own homes. In the broad field of social services, special attention will be paid to social security, including the formulation as soon as practicable of statutory schemes to assist the aged, the disabled and the unemployed. The needs of handicapped children, including the mentally deficient, will not be overlooked. The Community Centre scheme will be developed and more facilities provided for the underprivileged youths of Singapore. Immediate arrangements are being made for the introduction of a free Legal Aid Service, including representation in courts both civil and criminal. The position of Government pensioners will be examined forthwith. The Government will expand all medical and health services, particularly in the rural areas, including the establishment of district hospitals and clinics and the encouragement of health education. A Medical Advisory Council representing all branches of the medical profession will be set up immediately to advise the Minister. One of its earliest tasks will be to consider the feasibility of introducing a National Health Service scheme including a service of home visits by doctors. In education the policy of the Government is to aim at equal treatment for all schools and all teachers in those schools. The foundation stone of the policy will be a six year course of free primary education for all children. Technical education, which the Government regards as of paramount importance for the economic development of Singapore, will be expanded as rapidly as possible and the question of apprenticeship and training of industrial workers and clerks will be studied at an early date. In the realm of legislation, the Government has turned its immediate attention to the matter of the Emergency Regulations, which in accordance with the law are due now for consideration by this Assembly. Yesterday, I extended by Proclamation the period of Emergency for another three months. It remains for this Assembly to decide at this meeting whether or not this extension is to be confirmed by adoption of the Proclamation by a resolution of this Assembly. Meanwhile, I have revoked certain of the Emergency Regulations, which the Government after a preliminary examination is satisfied can be dispensed with immediately. The Government, anxious not to damage the fabric of security, has decided after earnest consideration to submit to you this Proclamation for adoption at this meeting, and is in process of exhaustively examining the Emergency Regulations and the Banishment Ordinance with a view, in so far as is practicable, to dispensing with such powers as are no longer necessary and to the exercise of powers essential for the maintenance of law and order within the framework of normal legal procedure. In considering this matter, regard will be had to all the factors involved, including the Emergency situation in the Federation of Malaya. As regards general matters of defence, the Government proposes to examine immediately the organisation of the Local Forces with particular reference to the operation of the National Service Ordinance. Objections and criticisms which have been made to the requiring of young citizens of Singapore to undertake national service will be subjected to the closest consideration, and it is the intention of the Government that, so far as is practicable, these objections and criticisms shall be met within the policy of building up adequate local forces, which cannot await the attainment of complete self-government. A Bill to establish the City and Island Council will be ready for consideration by the Assembly in the near future, and this Bill will include provision for the introduction of multi-lingualism in that Council. It is hoped that the success of such an arrangement will lead to the granting of similar provision to this Assembly. The Government intends to introduce a Labour Bill to replace the present outmoded Labour Ordinance. There is every likelihood of agreement being reached with Her Majesty's Government that this Bill should cover the civilian employees of the three Services recruited in Singapore. The Government will seek additional powers for the acquisition of land for public purposes, and powers for the freezing of values of immovable property. It is the firm intention of the Government to ensure that the land is used in the best interests of the people. The Torrens system of Land Titles will be introduced in the near future with the object of reducing the cost of land transactions and generally simplifying the process of land tenure. To further the carrying out of public housing and slum clearance, legislation will be introduced to set up a Housing Authority to replace the Singapore Improvement Trust. The unsatisfactory state of public transport calls for early action, and to this end the Government contemplates the setting up of a Transport Authority which will include in its functions the allocation of routes and the fixing of fares. The Government contemplates amending the Trade Union Ordinance to permit the use of trade union funds for political activities and to remove the present restrictions on Government trade unions joining federations of unions not confined to Government employees. The Central Provident Fund Ordinance is under examination with a view to further amendment. The financial position of Singapore at the present time is sound. The public debt is very small. Favourable trading conditions during the past few years have enabled substantial reserves to be built up and some of these reserves have been utilised for long term loans to the Singapore Improvement Trust while a further portion has been earmarked for development purposes. A Special Reserve of $100 millions has also been created. There are, however, certain points arising out of the financial position which give cause for some concern. There are indications that revenue, on the present basis of collection, is tending to level off. It is also clear that recurrent expenditure will increase steadily as the implementation of existing development plans gains momentum. In the circumstances, unless steps are taken to increase revenue on the one hand and to control expenditure on the other, there is considerable danger that expenditure will exceed revenue by increasing amounts in the future, and that the reserves will be exhausted. It is therefore the intention of the Government to make an immediate examination of the revenue potential and to introduce as soon as possible such measures for increasing revenue as are considered practicable, having regard to the intention of the Government to increase the economic prosperity of Singapore, to encourage enterprise and to expand trade and industry. An examination will also be made of the existing machinery of Government to ensure that any waste, inefficiency and redundancy is eradicated and that the Government service is maintained as an efficient and economical machine for the execution of the policy of the Government. Honourable Members, I should like to conclude this Address by expressing my own sense of regret that this is the last occasion on which I shall speak in the Legislature. But to have been in office while the recent constitutional advances were being planned and executed has given me the greatest satisfaction, and I shall always cherish the privilege, which I have had of addressing this Assembly at its inaugural meeting today. I am confident that it will be a worthy guardian of the peace and prosperity of this Island, and will fully justify the confidence reposed in it by the people. I offer you, Honourable Members, and through you the people of Singapore my warmest good wishes for the future. At the conclusion of THE GOVERNOR'S Address, Mr SPEAKER, preceded by the SERJEANT AT ARMS and the CLERK, escorted HIS EXCELLENCY out of the Chamber, and the sitting was suspended until 11.50 a.m. 11.50 a.m. The Assembly resumed its sitting with Mr SPEAKER in the Chair.