THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12532, 29 June 1906, Page 6

THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

The formal opening of Parliament by his Excellency the Governor yesterday was remarkable in two respects. In the first place, tho Governor's Speech was the shortest on record, and tho proceedings in the Legislative Council, whero the opening ceremony was performed, were correspondingly brief. In the second place, funeral tributes were paid to the memory of no fewor than four members of the Legislature, including the late Prime Minister. The speeches made in eulogy of tho late Mr Seddon hardly rose to the standard of eloquence witnessed on similar occasions in the past, but they were" obviously sincere. That of Mr Massey was in admirable taste, and very well expressed. Whether Parliament has deteriorated in quality as a whole is a point on which thero is sure to bo a difference of opinion, but there can be no question that the number of members who can mako a speech having in it some touch of literary finish ariel distinction is small indeed compart*, with -the Parliaments of, say, five and twenty years ago. It is on occasions like that of yesterday, when some subject which ought to lift members above tho level of commonplace has to bo dealt with, that tho literary decadence of the House is most painfully apparent. His Excellency's Speech is remarkable* not only for its brevity, but also for the fact that it contains nothing of a debatable character. Tho only legislation foreshadowed is described as "pro- " posals having for their object the " extension of appropriations to a ■' suitable date."' This probably means an amendment of the Public Revenues Act, as we suggested yesterday, so as to enable the Government to continue their expenditure on tho basis of last years Estimates until 31st August nest, andlthus give time for Sir Joseph Ward to return to the colony, form his Ministry, and submit his programme to the House. This, it is understood, will net bo objected to by the Opposition, so long as an understanding is given that Parliament shall be called together again without unnecessary dolay, say, not later than the 21st August. In these circumstances there is no excuse for a formal debate on the Address-in-Roply. Members who wish to air their political views, and convey them to their constituents

through the medium of "Hansard," may very well wait until the August session, when they will no doubt have somothing more definite to talk about. In our opinion nothing of a debatablo character should be attempted this session, which should be brought to a closo immediately the necessary supplies are voted. Even the question of tho Seddon grant, we think, could bo better dealt with after Sir Joseph* Ward lies returned, and Parliamentary business has been resumed on a normal basis. To finish the matter now would savour of unbecoming haste, and there is every probability that if tho matter is dcfeired until tho House meets again, it will bo easier to obtain that absolute unanimity which is so much to be desired in such a case.