NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4075, 13 June 1900, Page 5

NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. THE IMPERIAiTgOVERNMENT’S THANKS. (Received June 12. 10.33 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 12. Parliament was opened to-day by the Governor in person, The Speech was as forecasted in a previous cable message, with the addition that it was stated au opportunity would be afforded the House to alter the frailchise to adult suffrage. Sir Joseph 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, j A message was read from the Hon J. Chamberlain, Secretary of State ior jthe Colonies, conveying the grateful jthanks of the Imperial Government for i!the generous assistance of New South jWales in the South African war. i The colony’s action, said Mr Chamberlain, had shown the world that the whole fbree of the Empire was available, ■and had produced a lasting effect. New 'South Wales and the other colonies had 'reason to he proud of the part taken by their troops, and the successes achieved. MR REID’S METHODS OP . FINANCE. (Received June 12, 10.45 p.m.) SYDNEY. June 12. ' In the House of Assembly an interim report of the committee appointed to inquire into the finances of the colony was tabled. It deals with a period of four and a half years up to June, 1800, during which Mr Reid’s “easily system was in operation. The report shows that the-period ended with a deficit of an inherited debit of £125,000. The committee condemns the system adopted' by the late Treasurer as misleading,, as it does not ' show an actual year’s expenditure against «.»ie same year’s revenue. , - . • CRITICISM AND DEFENCE.,’ (Received June 13, 1.15 a.m.) ■ SYDNEY; June 12. On the motion for ■ the adjournment of the House of Assembly Mr Reid referred tp the:.' “peculiar action of the committee in presenting a. report in the middle of its inquiry.” In a lengthy explanation -.0f.-figures, and a warm defence of himself Mr Reid said he had been tried by tainted jury-’ men. • The committee had found that he acted in accordance with a policy directed by the House, and then set itself to work to totally disregard that direction. INCIDENTS OF THE SITTING. (Received June 13, 1.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, June 12. The Legislative Council adopted the Addross-in-Reply. The. House adopted an address sym. pathising with the Prince of Wales on the recent attempt on his life. The debate on the Addross-in-Reply in the House was adjourned on- the .motion of (Mr Reid until to-morrow. At a subsequent meeting of the, Opposition party forty members wore pro: sent. Nothing definite was decided, hut a meeting will be ‘held again tomorrow, after which it is understood Mr Reid will move a resolution 1 ■in the" House equivalent to one of want of confidence. / THE RETIRING SPEAKER. (Received June 13, 1.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, June 12. All parties in the House of Assembly paid a' tribute to' Sir. Joseph Abbott’s services during his ten years’, oechpancy of the Speaker’s chair.