OPENING OF BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7366, 18 January 1902, Page 2

OPENING OF BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

A GEE AT PAGEANT.

LOYAL AND ENTHUSIASTIC OVATION.

Eeceived January 17, 10.56 p.m. . London, January 17. At the opening of Parliament, five State carriages preceded the State coach, which was drawn by eight cream horses, with purple and gold trappings. The Life Guards escorted the Sovereigns, who were smiling and bowing. The procession was one of the most loyal and enthusiastic ovations ever witnessed.

The spectacle in the House of Lords was one of great splendour, under the effects of the electrio lights. The wearing of mourning by peeresses was suspended for the day.

King Edward was dressed in the uniform of a Feld-Marshal, and wore a robe of State, thrown well back. Queen Alexandra wore a black dress, under a sweeping robe, relieved by Btrings of pearls and diamonds. She wore also a little diamond crown, over a soft white veil, and looked gracious and queenly. Eeceived January 18, 0.30 a.m. London, January 17. The Prince and Princess of Wales and other Boyalties were present in the House of Lords. The Princess wore a black dress, with the ribbon of the Order of Victoria.

No Nationalist members were present.

The Agents-General bad seats in the Boyal gallery. Although it is a tradition of Parliament to listen in absolute Bilence, a passage in the speeoh referring to the conduct of the troops evoked a distinct murmur of assent.

The weather was dull, but fine.

The King read the speeoh in a clear voice. It declared that relations with the Powers were friendly. The course of the war was favourable, and our soldiers, despite the tediousness of the guerilla struggle had throughout; displayed cheerfulness, endurance, and humanity, even to their own detriment, and they were deserving of the highest praise. Further loyal offers of troops were acknowledged. Contingents were coming from Canada, the Australian Commonwealth, and New Zealand. It trusted the International Sugar Bounties Conference at Brussels would decide to abandon the bounties, which were unfairly weighing on the sugarproducing colonies and Home manufacturers. The Isthmian Canal treaty with Amerioa had secured a neutral canal, open to the commerce and shipping of all nations. It announced that the King of Italy had agreed to act as arbitrator between Britain and Brazil in regard to the disputed boundary of British Guiana. Belief of the famine affected districts in India was progress-

ing. and hopeful results were expected from the Commission's report. Beceived January 18, 0.45 a.m. London, January 17. The Speech from the Throne gave rise to spirited debates in both Houses. In the Lords, Lord Rosebery elicited from Lord Salisbury that no overtures 5 had been made to Britain by the Boerg. i Lord Rosebery added that he had nothing but commendation for the spirit and words of Mr Chamberlain's reply to Count Bulow. Lord Balibury welcomed Earl Spencer's declaration that the independence 1 of the Boers was impossible, and Baid Britain must show no weakness. It was not our duty to say on what terms we should forgive our assailants before forgiveness was asked. He solemnly warned the Liberals of the danger to the safety of the Empire resulting from any failure, however slight, in regard to acknowledging the absolute supremacy of the King. * In the Commons Sir Henry Camp-bell-Bannennau and Sir W. V. Har-. court drew from Mr Balfour and Mr Chamberlain the statement of a resolute policy in vindication of Lord Milner's action in suspending the Constitution of Cape Colony by the Ministry's advice. The Ministry would hereafter receive an Act of Indemnity. Beceived January 18, 9.27 a.m. London, January 17. In the House of Commons Mr Cawley, member for Prestwick, with Sir H. 1 Campbell-Bannerman's (leader of the . Opposition) approval, moves an amendment to the Addross-in-Reply support- , ing the effective prosecution of the war, but declaring that the Government's ' attitude does not conduce to its rapid termination and a durable peace. ; It is hoped to secure the Liberal- [ Imperialists' support of the amendment. ' The Irish Party will not support it ' t because they are desirous of refusing [ supplies for the war. 1 The House of Lords has adopted the Address-in-Reply. * Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman has made a re profession of his faith in \ Home Rule.