HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11006, 2 July 1901, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House having resumed,' RESIGN ATIONS. The SPEAKER announced that he had received the resignations of Mr C. Lewis, membe-r for Gnristehuroh, and Mr Geo. Hutchison, member for Paten. In replying to enquiries from members, tho SPEAKER said he received: Mr Hutchison's resignation on Saturday. It did not bear any date. Mi" SEDDON gave notice to move on Wodnesdxy that writs should be issued for the. vacant seat*. THE LATE QUEEN. Tho SPEAKER read a'message from th© Governor, containing tihe King's message announcing the death of hjs beloved mother, Mr SEDDON then moved a resolution in similar terms to that proposed by Mr >». G. Walker in the Legislative Council. In doing so Mr Seddon said the intelligence of the death, of the beloved Queen sent a thrill of grief t_r_-jg_out the colony. Although she had passed away and surrendered a terrestrial throne they all fclb that it was only a temporary surrender, and tl«at her face would be among the blest. During her reign great advantage iliad accrued -to mankind, an adequate proof of. which could be found by comparing the conditions of' sixty-four yeaira ago and those of to-day. Under these circumstances they joined in offering condolences .to the King and the members of the Royal "Family in their irreparable loss, As Queen,, wite. and mother Victoria the Good had' shown- an example to the world, and her endeavours to pro- , mote tho well-being and happiness of her subjects would ever be, remembered. It was to b? rep-retted l that the Smith African war had obtruded itself at the end of her reign, but the honour of the nation had ever been her cave, and though gone her memory would always be revered, and her good works remembered. It was desired to offer the King their loyal and cordial greet, ings on his accession to the Throne. The worthy son of --, good mother he (Mr Seddon) could confidently say that his reign would he marked by much good. The King's messasre to the Imperial Parliament struck a sympathetic cord throughout the Empire, and tho-. was only one response— "Amen! Do your duty, and you 'have loyal assistance of your people." As proof of the Klog's sincerity and desire to carry out the late Queen's pledges, Mr ■Seddon pointed to the vi-ait of tho Duke and Duchres of Cornwall, w_i"«h originated with the Queen, and remarked that' tbe addresses which had been presented to __, Royal couple in the colony had come fipantaneo'usly from all, aud breathed -loyalty and affeotdqn to the Throne. In conclusion, M.r Seddon sa'4 it , would be tlwir duty to assist the new sove--1 reign to further the interest of the- great Empire to which they belonged, and to promote the happiness and contentment of the people, and to help him create a higher and brighter civilisation than now existed. Uptain RUSSELL seconded the 1-solu-tion. He said that as historian and poet had extolled the virtues of the late Queen, he felt it would be futile to pijd refined gold i and add any poor word of his own as a tribute to her memory. The esteem of the : whole civilised world had been given to her, and tho example at l lt . p U , re ijf e> ( * c . | voted to her people, could never fade. In succeeding to the lofty inheritance and great iianw tlie King b_d tH* example of a n-nble and exalted mother. He felt the whole energies of the King's career on the throne would ba devoted to following in the foot- ! -steps of one 50 lofty and pu__ as Victoria the noble.

Jlhe motion was carriii tinaaimouslr. On the motion of Mr Seddon, it was decided that the. Speaker should present the resolution to his Excellency with a respectful request that he forward it to tbe .Secretary of State ior the Colonies for submission to his Ma-v-sty? At 3.30 o'ok-ck the House adjourned till c.oti p,ni. to-morrow.