UNION PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11738, 28 January 1924, Page 7

UNION PARLIAMENT

OPENED IN SPLENDOUR.' ATHLONE’S SPEECH. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received January 27, 5.5 p.m ) CAPETOWN, .January -26. Parliament was opened by the Governor-General, the Earl of Athlone with the accustomed ceremonial. The scene in the Senate State chamber was more brilliant than usual, owing to the unusually large gathering of notable persons, both of the Union and overseas. * Lord Athlone, in a speech, referring to the Imperial and Economic Conferences, said that if resolution passed hv the latter are put into operation they would open up wider markets overseas for South African products. He gave details of new rail, way construction including the -line from northern Zulnland, which was urgently required for the opening up of a large tract where cotton-growing was successfully carrying on. Railway traffic had shown a marked improvement as a result whereof the Government proposed to reduce fares and rates, especially on agricultural' produce, as commodities materially affecting the cost of living.

“NO OBLIGATION 1 ’

LABOUR MOTION. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reoeived January 27, 11.50 p.m.) CAPETOWN, January 27. In the Assembly, Mr Cresswell, the Labour Leader, will move on Tuesday that the House holds the promises made by the Government at the Imperial Economic Conference impose no binding obligation on )he dominions concerned until ratified by Parliament. This dissents from a contrary view put forward by General Smuts in a public speech at Johannesburg. Mr Hertzog, the Nationalist leader, will move that a compzeheju sive solution of the unemployment and increasing poverty in the country requires the earnest and immediate attention of the Government.