UNION PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 517, 26 May 1909, Page 2

UNION PARLIAMENT.

r— —4— : : 'ANNUAL MEETING. .' . . V : Tho annual meeting .'of the Union Parliament was well attended last evening.■■ Mr. A. H. Casey presided as Speaker. ' Tho executive's report for tho 1908 session stated that at tho last annual meeting of tho Parliament Mr. A. H. Casey was reelected Speaker and Mr. A. C. Bretherton Premier. Tho first measure introduced by tho BretUorton Ministry was tho "Industrial Unions Act," a measure intended to take the placo of tho then existing Arbitration Act. Consequent upon tho carrying of a hostile amendment by tho Opposition, tho Ministry resigned, and thereupon tho Governor sent for Mr; .Si; G. C. M'Caul to form a Cabinet. For tho remainder of the session tho MCaul Ministry hold office, measures being brought down to provido for tho compnl. sory c military training of all able-bodied males between the ages of 10 and 40, tho strengthen, ing of harbour defences, and tho establishment of a torpedo flotilla, A motion was made ex. pressing tho desirability of means being adopted V? , sooure tufl roturn o{ no parliamentary cou< didates but thoso receiving an absolute.majorlty of votes; and another affirming the prin. oipio of tho State, taking over tlw wholo of the J'luor traffic, paying reasonable compensation to all thereby injuriously, all'ected to a serious extent. A measure was also introduced by tho Government providing for a special tax on bachelors over 25 years of ago, and a system of monthly allowances to parents having raor« than three children under tho age of tfteon years, providing that tho parents' joint' income clul not exceed £250' per annum. The'meet-' i ug j S ast sessi °h were not so well attended as tho cxecutivo had desired, but it was confidently expected that during the com. ing session a largo increase in-tho'membership would result m the Parliament showing thoso signs of.vigorous lifo that were.essential to it* permanent Buccess. Tho exooutive expressed it» appreciation of tho efforts of. all who assisted in tho work of tho past session; tho oi ""> Parliament were particularly duo tu- th« /•M.C.A., who provided a room, in which to hold the fortnightly meetings. •'• ml 10 ala , nco -shoct showed a small surplus. Ino Speaker said that a great'variety of quoa hons: had been debated by. tho Parliament. Ho complimented tho Premier and his Ministry on thoir attention to business dunug the session. Ho explained that tho objects of th< ; larliainent were to debate matters of general and local politics and other-matters of general public interest. Tho debates were ojnductei undor the Standing. Orders of tho House of EC presentahves of Now Zealand, varied OS th« special, circumstanoes required. Tho membership was subject to no restriction whatever, and .tUo_ Parliament was a valuable training ground for all who wero desirous at ehU'iing public life, whilo for others not so • desircus it afforded on excellont means of instruction and information upon public questions, and tut praotical duties and ideals of truo citizenship. Iho Speaker moved tho adoption of tho report and balance-sheet. , Mr. G. M'Caul, retiring Premier, in Mcond-' ing the motion, emphasised the excellent spirit which was evinced during tho debates of tho session. When half tho:adult population of Wellington had joined tho Union Parliament, or some other '• debating society ,' they would havo sano politicians (laughter), sano measures brought before Parliament, and Eano measures. passed. . :-\ Mr. M'Caul, Premier, tendered the resignation of himself and' Cabinet, and nominated as his successor Mr. Glanvillo Hicks. ■ Mr! W.;G. Compton, senior Minister, in se- ' conding tho nomination, prophesied for the new Premier a: very hard battle.. - A rival nomination was that of Mr. A. M. Proctor. An-election resulted in the return of Mr. Hicks, who expressed himself confident oi ' choosing a. Cabinet by Friday next. Mr. Casey tendered his resignation of th« Speakership owing to pressure of other busi« ness, but was induced to retain office pending the appointment of .a successor. A,vcry heart/ vote of thanks to Mr. Casey was passed.