Opening of Parliament.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 155, 2 July 1901, Page 2

Opening of Parliament.

SWEARING-IN MEMBERS.

RESOLUTION OF CONDOLENCE

■(By Telegraph— Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Monday

The ceremony of opening Parliament foy Commission to-day was merely formal and devoid of ranch public interest. There was only a meagre attendance of spectators, but the Ladies' Gallery was almost filled. The small muster in the galleries was no doubt due in a large measure to the fact that alter the recent Royal celebrations ■the taste for display had palled on rthe appetite.

The Commission, read in the Council, Sounded somewhat prolix and dry. Immediately after it, had been read the [Hon. the Speaker aud the members of. ithe House of Representatives were summoned and took their places in front of the gangway. The usual ceremony having been gone through, the members of the Lower Chamber returned to the House, and the process of swearing-in was proceeded with. RESIGNATIONS OF MEMBERS. The Speaker then announced the reelection of Mr Hone Heke for the Northern Maori Districts, and the resignations of Mr C. Lewis, late member for Christchurch, and Mr Hutchison, late member for Patea.and the Premier gave notice to move, on Wednesday aiext that writs be issued for the election of members to n'll the vacancies. In reply to Mr Monk, the Speaker said the resignations were undated. Mr Pirani asked whether he would be in order in moving the appointment of a Commission to inquire as to where the resignations had been for some time past. Mr Monk also asked a similar question, but the Speaker replied that notice must be given. RESOLUTION OF CONDOLENCE. A message was read from His Excellency the Governor announcing the death of Queen Victoria, and the accession to the throne of Edward VII. The Speaker (Sir Maurice O'Eorke) read the declaration of the King with some degree of emotion. The Premier moved the followingresolution of condolence: "That the House of Representatives presents a respectful address to His Majesty, and assures him that it deeply laments the death of our late Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, whose name and reign will ever be held in lasting remembrance by her sorrowing and ■loving subjects; the Council respectfully begs to congratulate His Majesty on his accession to the Throne, and assures His Majesty of its loyal attachment to his person, and desires to pray for His Majesty the glory of a reign which will be marked by peace and prosperity and a general advance in the social and economic condition of Ms subjects."

The name and fame of the late Queen Victoria would, the Premier said, ever be held in loving remembrance. He felt confident that the reign of her successor would be distinguished by the same prosperity and social welfare of his people as had marked that of the late Queen. The announcement of her death was received with grief, not only by her own liege subjects, but also over the ■whole civilized world. New Zealand was the first colony established during her reign, and though she had passed away, and her remains had "been laid in Frogmore; it was only a temporary separation, as her place would be amongst the blest. The colony would show its admiration of her beneficent reign by acts, not deeds, They looked back at a period of over 64 years, during which the conditions of mankind had improved. All members of that "House would join with Mm in' loving condolence to His Majesty and to the Eoyal Family in that grief and sorrow and irreparable loss they had been called upon to .share, as Empress, Queen, wife and mother. Our late gracious Queen Victoria had shown an example to the world. It was not altogether as a ruler that the brilliance •of her renown had been so apparent, but it was in those virtues which she exhibited in her constant endeavours to promote the well-being and happiness of those over whom she reigned. In their love and loyalty for the late Queen they did not stand alone; they only joined in the universal feelingl of regret at her death. Her reign might be regarded as one of peace. The honour of the British nation was concerned in the South African war. Although she had gone,, her memory would be held in respect wherever the English tongue was spoken, and the people of the future, as well as the past, would join in acknowledging that her memory was so worthy. It ■was well that Parliament should send a, cordial greeting to. King Edward VII. on his accession to the throne. As the worthy son of a good mother they could say without hesitation that the reign of His Majesty would be characterised by a continuance of the good works so well begun during the reign of the late Queen. The commencement of the new reign had been such as was desired, and it was conveyed in the message which His Majesty had conveyed to his people in the. proclamation which had been read by the Speaker. The King had spoken to his people during a most trying, sad, and painful circumstance. He said: "I am determined to be a constitutional sovereign in the strongest sense of the word." These words struck home. They struck a cord through the Empire in which there was only one voice, only one response: "Do your duty and you will have the support of your people. Your burdens will be lightened as far as jt is possible to lighten tbpm." His Majesty showed his sincerity in carrying out the wish expressed by his Royal mother, by whose consent the Duke and the Duchess of Cornwall had visited the colonies. She no doubt remembered the sacrifices made by these colonies in the cause of the Empire, and in her own good and wise manner devised a method of showing that the sacrifices were appreciated. Our King said that the wishes of his mother would be given effect to. He had said: "Go, my only son! Go, my only daughter! and visit those loyal subjects.'" The addresses that had been presented to Their Eoyal Highnesses showed the loyalty, and affection of the people of the colony towards them. Whilst

the House, as the representatives of the people, condoled, with the King, they at the same time assured him of their heartfelt and universal support. Whether in adversity or prosperity it would be our duty as well as pleasure to assist him in promoting Hie well being and strength of the great Empire, to which we were so proud to belong:, sincl we, with him, would endeavour as long as life lasted lo ameliorate the. condition Of. his people, to promote their happiness and contentment, and to create a higher and brighter civilisation. The Premier concluded by moving the resolution. The Hon. Captain Russell, in seconding the resolution, said it would be as puerile as attempting to gild rctined gold to eulogise the memory of the fate Queen in any poor words of his own. In all positions of life the esteem of the whole civilised world had been shown to our late Queen, a o-reat mler. Though dead her fame remained with her'people. The example of her pun- life would continue and could never lade. His Majesty had before him an example which must be of inestimable value to his subjects, hi succeeding to a lawful inheritance and a great name he possessed incalculable advantages. It had been said that there never was a great man who had not the example of a, good mother before him. So in the present case the King had a noble, devoted mother, and no doubt his whole career would be devoted to following the example of one so noble and pure as the late Queen Victoria. The resolution was unanimously agreed to, and on the motion of the Premier the House resolved that Mr Speaker present the address to His Excellency the. Governor, with a respectful request that it be forwarded to His Majesty the King.

The House adjourned at .'i.3o p.m until 2.30 on Tuesday.