IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12427, 16 February 1901, Page 7

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

A BRILLIANT PAGEANT. THE ADDEESS-IN-REPLY. the king’s Opening speech. United Frees Associailaoa—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, Feb. 14. The King Opened Parliament. The speech froin the Throne expressed regret at the war in South Africa being prolonged, and thus delaying the establishment and institution of equal rights for all whites in the annexed colonies. It stated that the visit of the Duke arid Duchess of York to Australia was arranged in accordance with the late Queen’s wishes, and would not be abandoned, but extended to New Zealand and Canada. It recognised the patriotism and devotion of Canada and Australia in connection with the South African war, arid referred to the Ashanti campaign and the Indian drought, and asked the House of Commons to renew the Civil List. It announced that the proposed legislation would include changes in the Final Appeal Court, owing to the expansion of the Empire. (Received Feb. 15, 10.29 p.m.)

The opening of Parliament was A remarkable 'pageant, arid there Was a great military display. The King and Queen wore their crowns, arid the Princesses arid Princes were grouped on, either side of- thd ThWHftri. The members of tliri House of Commons when summoned came with a rush, but only a few could be- accommodated in the Chamber. The Speaker, Lord Halsbury, iri his State robes, administered the oath of adjuration, and the King signedthe declaration against tramsubstantiatidri. Then, donning his hat, andi all those present standing, iri a clear and firrii voice hi# Majesty read the Speech. “My beloved mother,’' ,tlie introductory' paragraph rain-, “ During her glorious reign set an example 6f what iribrfarchs' .should be, arid rity earnest desire is to walk in her footsteps.” The Speech stated that the Empire’s relatione , with the Powers were friendly. The King greatly regretted the loss of life and treasure due to the fruitless guerilla, warfare maintained by the Boer partisans, and stated that their early submission wins much to be desired in their own interests, as until that was made it would: be ixriposible to establish in the colonies those institutions securing equal rights to all the whites, and protection and justice to’ the natives. The War involved a considerable iri crease in the Estimate s.

“The demise of the Grown 1 ,” the Speech continued, “ renders- necessary renewed provision in the Civil list. I place unreservedly at your disposal the hereditary revenues so placed by my predecessor. The proclamation of the Commonwealth of Australia was made amid many manifestations of popular enthusiasm and rejoicing. My mother assented to the Duke of York opening the first Parliament, and though separation from' my- son at the. present lime cannot be otherwise than deeply painful, I still desire to give effect to the Queen’s' wishes, as evincing her interest and my own in all that concerns the welfare of my subjects beyond the seas. (Received Feb. 15, 10.51 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 15. :■ Irt the course of the Speech from the Throne the King said' that the Indian troops and naval forces largely, contributed to the release Of the Legations and the submission of Ch|tta. The prolongation of the war had led him to make further calls, Upon the patriotism and devotion of Canada and Australasia. He rejoiced that tile, request had met With a prompt and loyal response. The Speech referred to the signal success of the Ashanti campaign. The suffering and mortality through the drought in India had' been greatly alleviated,' but was still serious in the. Bombay province. The proposals to be submitted to Parliament include increasing the efficiency of the military organisation, the amendment of the education regulations, the voluntary sale cf land by Irish landlords to occupying tenants, the amendments and consolidation of the. Factory and Shops Acts, the better administration of the lunacy laws, the amendment Of the Health' Act and Acts regarding water supply, the prevention of drunkenness, and the amendment of the law regarding literary copy-, right. When the King and Queen resumed their seats there was complete silence. A slight chill prevented the presence of the Duke o.f York and the Princess Victoria. * (Received Feb. 15, 10.53 p.m.) The ceremony was brilliant and picturesque. There were immense Crowds in Pall Mall and Whitehall,' and around the House of Parliament. As a mark of- honour, Strathcona’s Horse guarded the route near Buckingham Palace, and invalided colonials were . assigned places along the route. The King ( and Queen rode in the great State coach, unused for forty years, drawn by eight cream-coloured horses. The lung wore & field marshal’s uniform., the Riband of the Garter and a plumed hat; the Queen an ermine cloak, a small diamond crown, the Riband of the Garter and a veil.' immense enthusiasm was displayed and their Majesty® bowed continually. There was a stately procession from; the-robing-rcom to the House of Lords, the King, in a magnificent ermine, crimson robe, leading the Queen, by the IJiand. Every inch of the House of Lords was crowded. There was an : immense con-

bourse of black-dad feathered peeresses, including tbe. Countess Ranfurly. The centre of the Chamber was a mass of ermine and scarlet. The Agenta-General occupied the Royal gallery. The Queen’s throne was ft little lower than the King’s. THE ADDRESS-TN-REPLY. Received Feb. 16. 12.17 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 15. In the House of Commons Sir H. Campbelfißannonnan blamed the remissness of the Government in sending re-inforcements to South Africa. He said the political conduct of the war was not conducive. t 0! an early and honourable settlement. ,He implored the Government to offer more ge-i, njsxous terms than unconditional surrender. Ho complained of the Governments pover-ty-stricken political programme,' and said the opposition would cheerfully provide an adequate Civil list. He referred to the happy inauguration of the Australian Commonwealth, and expressed pleasure that the Duke of York should fulfil the patriotic duty of visiting the colonies. The Right Hon A. J. Balfour, referring fce. the Civil list, stated that there were no debts, to make good. The re-inforcements sent to South Africa exceeded Lord Kitchener’s, demands. He believed Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman would be willing, immediately the hostilities ceased, to confer full representative institutions upon the annexed colonies, which the Government con-' sidered unsafe. Unconditional surrender meant the abondoment of the idea of independence, not the surrender,of individual independence. The struggle must end in absolute and complete conquest. In the House of Lords Lord Kimberley expressed dissatisfaction at the conduct of the war. Lord Salisbury said that guerilla, warfare • was always difficult to- quek. There was no hope of abiding peace unless the . British were , masters and conquerors. Anything short ofi a. complete triumph would be a danger to* the colonial empire.

The Addrcss-in-Eeply. was agreed to.