NEW SOUTH WALES. .

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12509, 23 May 1906, Page 7

NEW SOUTH WALES. .

JUBILEE OF RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT.

i , ! United Press Association—By El»ctrio Telegraph—Copyright: . , SYDNEY, Mey-22, There are great preparations for the celebration bf the jubilee of the responsible government to-day and an Empire Day (Thursday). (Received May 22i\d, 7.4 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 22. ' Despite the unproprtious weather, a large gathering assembled at Parlioment House to mark the jubilee of responsible government. Sir Harry Rawson, the State Governor, in the course of a speech, read a message from the King in which, hie Majesty thanked the State for its • loyalty, and expressed the hope that the progress and prosperity that hod marked the colony would continue in the fullest degree. Mr Carruthers referred, to the unique character of the gathering and the great and beneficent change, wrougjit 1 by constitutional government. Mr McCourt, the Speaker of, the House of Representatives, struck a pat*, simistio note when he asked whether their progress waa aa healthy as it looked. They div not own a sleeper of their railways or a brick of their publio buildings, which belonged to the people of England, from whonj they hod borrowed millions. They had to import from.abroad everything they wore, ate or used. ~ | Mr MoOQurt edded tfi»t in regard to defence they were as badly off as th' 3 colonists were fifty years ago. He mentioned that since responsible gov> ernment bid been granted the 746 men elected to Parliament had taken 142,000. pag-s of "Hansard" to hold what, they said. Sir John See paid a tribute to the pioujer legislators. Desp'te the oroak of pessimists, the country waa oa prosperous qs ever, and was getting stronger and stronger, He believed that Australia, would become a strong power in the worLd. Mr Edtle.ni said that the Labour party wh eh he represented was as loyal to the Crown as anyone in the Empire. i Other speakers included \x-Chiei JusI tioe Stephens and Mr Asher, a member jof the Parliament in 1859. After the luncheon, Sir Harry Rawson opened the Jubilee Library. Mr Suttor presented to Parliament the Addnees-in-R. ply to Governor Gipps's speech in 1843. The assembly thca adjourned to the Counoil Chambera, where a reception of tbe Japanese admiral and officers was held. j