SOUTH AFRICAN UNION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXI, Issue 15456, 7 November 1910, Page 7

SOUTH AFRICAN UNION.

OPENING OP PARLIAMENT. i>l"l\E 01' CONNAUGHT'S SPEECH. THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S ADDRESS. United J'Tefis Association—By li!oc*.r.~Te'.ograph—Copyright. CAPE TOWN. November 4. Continuing his speech, the Duke of Connaught said :—" His Majesty well Allows that you havo passed through the fire, of sorrow and trouble, but all this is now peacefully buried with the past. He recognises, too, that here, as elsewhere,, there must always exist a marked divergence of political opinion. Such divisions, indeed, of thought and action aro tho essence of full, free and responsible government government which you now enjoy. Tho Ring rejoices in tho knowledge that the auspicious union of the South African dominions has already made for the social and material progress of his people, and he feels assured that all South Africans will work steadfastly and honourably for the welfare of their great and beautiful country. His Majesty's earnest prayer is that the union so happily achieved may, under God's guidance, prove n lasting blessing to you all, and that it will tend to the ever-increasing advantage and prosperity of South Africa and tho British Empire. " Gentlemen of tho Senate, and gentlemen of the House of Assembly, it affords mo much pleasure to convey to you this message from tho King. I now, in his name, and on his behalf, declare this Parliament open." After delivering his speech the Duke of Connaught read the following telegram from King George:—"Although it has been ordained that I should not be with you on this great occasion, my thoughts and prayers are to-day for South Africa and for her lasting union. I earnestly trust that for the sake of the peoplo as a whole, your great country may. by God's blessing, under wise guidance and statesmanship, progress from year to year, over increasing in wisdom, happiness and prosperity.*' LORD GLADSTONE'S SPEECH. Viscount Gladstone said :—" The King has honoured you by deputing the Duke of Connaught to open the session of the first Parliament of tho Union in the Mother City of South Africa end to deliver tho speech to which wo have just listened with keen appreciation. You will no doubt desire to have the earliest opportunity to send a fitting and grateful reply to his Majesty. It is a matter for deep regret that the death of our beloved Sovereign King Edward the Seventh prevented King George from being here in person on this historic occasion. It will be over present in your minds that the late King, who was so profoundly interested in the welfare of South Africa, assented to the Act of Union. That Act has laid the foundation of a new nationality in this great country, and under its orovisions you aro now assembled in Parliament. To establish, strengthen and protect this nationality in the true spirit of the Act is the first duty of Parliament." Tho speech pointed out the necessity for the consolidation of tho public services of the colonies on a uniform basis. Viscount Gladstone announced that a commission would be appointed to make recommendations regarding the reorganisation and readjustment of the public service, and the report would ho waited for before comprehensive legislation would ho proposed. Some changes, however, were urgently required, for which legislation would be submitted. A commission would also be appointed to inquire, into and make recommendations for tho readjustment of the Customs, tho promotion of local industries and cognate matters. He referred to the necessity for gradually making uniform laws applying to the whole of the Union. Legislation would be introduced to deal with certain matters in which uniformity was urgently necessary, nnd measures would be submitted dealing with audit, naturalisation, railways, harbour, post and telegraphs, immigration, and stock and plant diseases problems. South African defence was engaging the earnest attention ot the Government, which was also considering a scheme for the establishment of a National South 'African University, and this would be submitted in duo course. Proposals had been framed with due regard to the position and interests of the important institutions which for many years had successfully laboured in the field of higher education. . , , Lord Gladstone went on to point out that Ministers had acted under tho authority of the South Africa Act, which gave the Government power to meet current expenditure out of the revenue of the Union from the dale ot the Union until two months after the meet•'ng of Parliament. Tho Estimates. however, only covered tho period to March 31. 19H- Tlle variation was necessitated by the proposal to terminat the financial year on March 31, and tho Estimates to March 31, 1912, would also bo submitted. , _ . „ " The establishment of tho Union, Irs Lordship said, " removed from the path of South Africa many of tho obstacles which had retarded progress and development in the past, and the new era now opening before you is rich in possibilities for great industrial and agricultural expansion. It is my 1 erven t prayer that in attaining peace, securitv and material prosperity your aspiration may also be constantly directed to the consummation ot the complete national units which is essential to the high place which South Africa is destined to take among tho selfgoverning dominions ot the British Empire, and that in and with a spirit of moderation, forbearance and wisdom, vou will render the great work ot tho Union a blessing to yourselves and your posterity and an enduring basis for the future political, moral and national welfare of South Africa; and may the hlpssi „o- »t Mmighty God rest upon your labours." THE PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS. A BRILLIANT SPECTACLE. CAPE TOWN, November 4. When tho Duke of Connaught, accompanied by an escort of Hussars, reached Parliament House, the Assembly Chamber, where tho ceremony took place was thronged with a brilliant and representative gathering, including senators, members of the Assembly, provincial councillors, judges, tho members of the consular body and hoads ot the educational and ecclesiastical worlds. As tho Duke of Connaught, accompanied by tho Duchess, tho Prut-

cess Patricia, and Lord and Lady Gladstone, ascended the dais, the Castle battery fired a salute <>l twenty-one. guns and the band played the National Anthem. Tlic proceedings wore opened by pravers in English by the Archbishop of Cape Town and in Dutch by the Moderator of Ihe Ihitch Reformed Church. The colonial visitors who assembl.nl were the centre of attraction. Tho arrangements were most elabor-

ate and tho scene was one of unprecedented brilliance. MESSAGES FROM THE AUSTRALASIAN DELEGATES. LONDON, November 4. Tlie " Diiily Mail " publishes the following message from. Mr Fisher, Prinn Minister <;l the Australian Commonwealth:—"'By this happy turn in her political affairs. South Africa has found tho only possible way out of her diffi cnltics, and n way which, perhaps after a struggle, will ultimately eolvc them ail." Mr Fowlds. the Now Zealand repre scntativo. sends the following message: —" I think that, despite tho ripples on the surface, tho prospects of South Africa are full of promise." BRITISH GOVERNMENTS GREETINGS. MESSAGE FROM EARL CREWE. CAPE TOWN, November 4. Viscount Gladstone, the GovernorGeneral, has received the following message from Earl Crewe, as head of* tho Colonial Office, to be rend before the Union Parliament:—"His Majesty's Government offers cordial greetings to tho new Assembly on the threshold of its labours in tho service or tho people, now united by indissoluble ties. Tho Government cherishes confident assurance that it will discharge the great responsibility committed to its care with whole-hearted devotion to tho public weal, and that it will always be a loyal guardian of the constitutional liberties of South Africa. 1 desire to add a warm expression of my own good wishes, as Secretary of State for the Colonies."

'ITIE DUKE OF CONN AUG HT'S

MESSAGE TO KING GEORGE

APPRECIATION OF WARMTH OF SOUTH AFRICAN RECEPTION. The Duke of Connaught this afternoon cabled as follows to King George:—-"I have just delivered your message, and in your name declared open the first Parliament of the Union of South Africa. 1 also read your telegram of good wishes, which was received with unbounded satisfaction. The welcome given to me, as your representative, is most enthusiastic. All classes of the community hr ; ye received me with the greatest cordiality. The historic proceedings of to-day have been very impressive, and there is a general consensus of opinion that the new Parliament enters upon its responsibilities under the happiest auguries and supported by tho goodwill of all your subjects in South Africa/' LOYAL ADDRESSES. Tho Assembly adopted, unopposed, a motion conveying an address to the King expressing tho heartfelt sympathy of the people of South Africa «-Ti the death of King Edward, which __ had plunged the country into most profound sorrow, and also congratulations and dutiful homage on the occasion of his accession, and also thanks to the Duke of Connaught for having undertaken the arduous journey to South Africa on tho auspicious occasion.

CONGRATULATIONS FROM OVER-

SEAS

LORD GLADSTONE'S OFFICIAL RECEPTION.

Tho Prime Minister, the Right Hon Louis Botha, luu received messages of greeting and congratulation from Australia and Now Zealand. A resolution was adopted thanking those dominions for their kindly messages. Messages were also received, from Canada, Newfoundland and Mozambique Tho Duke of Connaught this afternoon attended the pageant, and Lord and Lady Gladstone in the evening gave an official recoption, at which there was a very largo attendance of prominent people. THE KING'S TELEGRAM. (Received November 6, 5.5 p.m.) CAPE TOWN. November 5. 'Hie King cabled to the Duke of Connaught the following:—"I am much gratified by your telegram. I am rejoiced to hear that you opened the first Parliament under such linppy auspices, and with tho assuranco of the good will of my people in South Africa.—George 1U. A The Duko of Connaught laid the foundation stone of the University Hall in tho morning. The Council presented him with an address. The Duke said that the King, as Chancellor, had always taken the keenest interest in the University's welfare. The Duko hoped the necessary funds would be forthcoming to convert tho University into a teaching residential university. LONDON, November 5. The issuo of the '-Times" to-day comprised eighty pages, owing to a South African supplement. Mr Joseph Chamberlain in a letter urges the extension and improvement of Soutii African agriculture and the adoption of more scientific methods, especially in farming.

A MAYORAL RECEPTION. CAPE TOWN, November 5. Fifteen hundred persons were present at a brilliant Mayoral reception in the City Hall in honour of the Duke and Duchess of Connaught.