LATE PARLIAMENTARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 136, 9 June 1909, Page 5

LATE PARLIAMENTARY.

OPENING CEREMONY IN THE j HORSING. GOVEKNOR'S SPEECH. ON FRIDAY. (By Telegraph. —Parliamentary Eeporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Considerable surprise has been caused by the announcement that the opening of Parliament by Commission to-morrow will take place at 11.30 a.m., instead of at the time-honoured hour of 2.30 p.m. In some quarters there was a suspicion that it indicated a desire on the part of the Government to have the Governor's speech delivered the same afternoon, thus effecting a further saving of time to allow the Prime ' Minister's earlier departure. That, however, does not appear to be founded upon fact. The change of time is merely the result of the desire of the Government to have the election of the Speaker carried out as early as possible ' and the Governor's speeca Will be delivered on the day following the opening of Parliament by Commission. As the accommodation in the Legislative Council buildings is exceedingly restricted, it is understood that no invitations will be issued, not even to foreign Consuls, whose claims are generally tlie ; first to be considered on such occasions. Lit is also suggested that after the dcliv- ', cry of the Governor's speech, the Prime ! Minister will urge the immediate carry- ! ing on of the business, and Parliament I will be asked to commence the Address-in-Reply debate on Friday night, instead of adjourning till Tuesday. And members will be asked to break another rule, and sit on Saturday and Monday. If that ■ proposal is put to the vote, it will be carried, as the Government has apparently been hardened up sufficiently to ensure it, but it will be strongly opposed Jby the Opposition, who express themi selves as objecting to any such exhibij tion of undue haste. The Opposition will also have a good deal to say about the proposal to extend appropriations until ! the 31st October. This, they urge, will : obviate the necessity of the Government ! bringing down an Imprest Supply Bill for nearly a month alter Parliament meets again, and thus shelve the financial ; discussion for an undue period. It is ! probable, therefore, that the Opposition i will endeavour to extract a promise from the Government to bring down an Imprest Supply Bill at an earlier date.