MR SEDDON PRESENT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 133, 8 June 1906, Page 2

MR SEDDON PRESENT.

AUSTRALIA'S PROSPERITY. ADDITIONS TO "COMMONWEALTH TERRITORY. [press association.] (Received June 7, 10 p.m.)-. --,' MELBOURNE, June 7, Lord Northcpte (GovernorrGeneral) opened the last session ''of the second Federal . Parliament. There was a crowded attendance, including several hundred ladies. Mr and Mrs Setldon occupied prominent positions hi the gallery. ' • The Speech opened with a reference to the general prosperity throughout the Commonwealth*, both trade and finance affording most encouraging evidence of the soundness of business. With reference to the Anglo-French New Hebrides agreement, Cabinet had the advantage of conferring with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, and a communication expressing their views concerning the protection of the natives and the preservation of Australian interests in the group was being j forwarded to the Colonial Office. The I future of Papua had also engaged their serious attention during the recess, and proposals for a new administration at Papua would, be laid before Parliament. Meanwhile the issue of a proclamation bringing a Papua Act into force, creating New Guinea, territory of the Commonwealth, was withheld. The South Australian Government had* offered the Northern Territory to the Commonwealth on certain terms, and negotiations on the matter were prpc^ding,,; ; ■