THE NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 11266, 13 June 1900, Page 6

THE NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT.

Pmss Amelatton—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, June 12. Parliament was opened to-day by the Governor in person with the usual ceremonies. The Speech was as forecasted, with the addition that an opportunity will be afforded to alter the franchise to adult suffrage. Sir Jas. P. Abbott regretfully resigned the Speakership owing to the state of his health. He expressed the opinion that he could not continue to give the House good service. A message from Mr Chamberlain was read conveying thegrateful thanks of the Imperial Government for the generous assistance of New South Wales in the war. The colony's action had shown the world that the whole force of the Empire was available, and had produced a lasting effect. New South "Wales and other colonies had reason to be proud of the part taken by their troops and the success achieved. In the Assembly the interim report of the Committee appointed to inquire into the finances of the colony was tabled. It deals with four and a-half years, to June, 1899, during which Mr Reid's cash system was in operation. It shows that the period ended with a deficit of £1,049,000, including *n inherited debt of £125,000. It condemns the system as misleading, and as not showing the year's expenditure against the year's revenue. All parties paid a tribute to Sir J. Abbott's ten-years' Speakership. The House adopted an address of sympathy with the Prince of Wales owing to the recent attempt on his hfe. The debate on the Address-iu-Reply was adjourned, on the motion of Mr Reid, till to-morrow. Mr Roid, on the motion of adjournment, referred to the peculiar action of the Finance Committee in presenting a report in the middle of an inquiry. In the course of a lengthy explanation of the figures and warm defence of himself, he said he had been tried by tainted jurymen. The Committee had found that he had acted in accordance with the policy directed by the House, and then set to work to totallv disregard what the House directed.

The Legislative Council have adapted the Address-in-Reply. Mr Reid subsequently presided at a meeting of the Opposition, when forty were present. Nothing definite was done. It was decided to meet again to-morrow, when it is understood Mr Reid will move a resolution in the House equivalent to a want of confidence.