GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S SPEECH.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13883, 7 November 1910, Page 7

GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S SPEECH.

Viscount Gladstone, in his speech at tho opening of Parliament, said: — "The King has honoured you by deputing the Duke of Connaught to open the first session of tho first Parliament of the Union in the Mother City of South Africa, and to deliver the Speech to which we have just listened with keen appreciation, You will no doubt desire* to take the earliest opportunity of sending a fitting and grateful reply to his Majesty. It is a matter of deep regret that tho death of our beloved Sovereign, Edward VII., prevented George, our present King, from being hero in person. This historic occasion will be over present in your minds. His late Majesty, who was so profoundly interested in tho welfare of "South Africa, assented to this Act of Union which has laid the foundation of a new nationality, embracing all within this great country. Under its provisions you are now assembled in Parliament. To establish, strengthen, and protect this nationality in the true spirit of the Act is the first duty of Parliament." Continuing his speech, Viscount Gladstone pointed out tho necessity of some consolidation of the public services of the colonies on a uniform basis. He announced that a Commission would be appointed to niako recommendations for the reorganisation and readjustment of tho public services. Its report would c awaited before further steps were taken. Comprehensive legislation was proposed. Some changes, however, were urgently required, and for them legislation would be submitted. A Commission also had been appointed tlo I enquire into and make reeommenda- j tions concerning the readjustment of the customs duties, tho promotion of local industries, and cognate matters. He referred to the necessity for gradually making uniform laws applying to the whole Union, and said that legislation would ho introduced dealing with certain matters, wherein uniformity was urgently necessary. Measures would be submitted dealing with audit, naturalisation, railways, harbours, post and lelegraphs, immigration, and stock and plant diseases. The problems of South African defence were engaging the earnest attention of the Government, which was also considering a scheme for the r-s----tablishment of a National South Africa University. The proposals would be submitted in due course. The proposals were being framed with a full regard to tho positions and interests of important institutions, which had for many years successfully laboured in the field of higher education. Viscount Gladstone pointed out that Ministers acted under the authority of the South Africa Act in giving the Government power to meet current expenditure out of the revenue of the Union from the dato of the Union until two months after tho meeting of Parliament. The Estimates, however, would only cover tho period to March 31st, 191*1, a variation necessitated hy the proposal to terminate the financial year on March 31st. Estimates to March ;.lst, 1912, would also bo submitted. "Tho establishment of the Union has removed from the path of South Africa many of the obstacles which retarded her progress and development in the past, and the new era which is new opening before you is rich in possibilities of great industrial and agricultural expansion. My fervent prayer is that in attaining peace, security, and material prosperity, your aspirations will also be constantly directed to tho consummation of that complete national unity essential to the high place which South Africa is destined to take among the self-govertiing Dominions of the British Empire, and that, in and -with the spirit of moderation, forbearance, and wisdom, you may render the great work of union a blessing to yourselves and your pos-

! CABLE NEWS.

terity, and an enduring basis for tho future noiitical. moral, and national i welfare oi South Afrea, and may the [ ldo-:sin._c oi Almighty God rest on your | hi hours.''