OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12394, 2 July 1902, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

'ITIE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH,

A BRIEF CEREMONY.

WELLINGTON, July ]

t'he third and last session of the fourteenth Parliament was opened this afternoon witli'tljq ii Slia i; cpicmony, The weather was all that could be desired, and there was ' a large attendance of.the public, both inside and outaido.t'.io Parliament Buildings. The Governor arrived/at tho Legislative Council Chamber at 2.30, the Heretaunga Mounted Rifles furnishing the escort and tho AVelling. ton College Cadets a guard of honour, whilo D Battery fired tho salute. Ilis Excellency was accompanied by Captain Alexander, Captain Rich, of If.M.S. Ri'ngaroomn, Genera! Babmgton, and Captain Campbell. Lady Constance Knox, Lady Eileen Knox, Lady Ward, and Miss Ward occupied seata alongside the Speaker's chair, and. opposite to thorn the foreign Consuls were grouped, Thoro was'a; largo muster 1 of members of the Lower- House, but tho attendance of Legislative Councillors was small.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. Tho Governor's Spoecli was muoh shorter than usual,-.and only occupied 12 minutes in dolivory. Tho speech was as follows Honourable' Gentlemen of the Legislative '' Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives. Tho pleasure with which I have hitherto met you in Parliament assembled is on tins occasion clouded by the distressing intfllligene'e of his Majesty's illness and tiio consequent postponement of tho Coronation.' The sad news reached liicfrom fix© Secretary of State on the 25th, Juno', and it wbb at once decided that all contemplated festivities should l>o' abandoned, excepting (n3 intimated by his Majesty's wish) those relating to the children and tho inmates of hencvo. lenii institutions, and this accordingly was (lone. Intercessory fcrvices were held "in the churches, and tlio deepest regret and sympathy were universally manifested and telegraphed to tlie Secretary of State, expressing on bohalf of tho Government and people of Aew Zealand their deep sorrow at'hearing 'of his Majesty's illness, and their earnest wishes for his speedy recovery. The latest mcilical bulletins are reassuring, and wo wait m prayer and hops that Divine. Providence in its wisdom and' mercy mhy lone uparo him to his pcoplo and the Empire. *1 havo to eongratulalje you upon the termination of, .tho war. in South Africa and tin* restoration of peace—a peace honourable to tho Empire and generous to tlie vanquished, Tliere is ev«ry prospect that our )ato enemies will loyally accept the new conditions, and as members of the Empire enjoy ni tho noar future tho .earn© conetitutional right? of sclf-govcrnmenl; as arc poa. Besscd by the people of Now Zealand. Inuring tho.yeai' tlvreo additional contingents (the Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth) were despatched, making a total fores of 6701 officers and men, and 6520 horses sent- from aow Zealand; to South Africa during the war. Tho last contingent wore raised as readily as tho first, affording ample proof— if proof were needed—that the colony lias been moved, ; not by passing-impulse, but .' by a firm resolve to maintain the integrity of tho Empire. Our troops liave borne thomoelves gallantly and. well, and the polony is proud of them. It will give some measure of consolation to the relatives of those who have fallen to - know, that thoro is universal sympathy' for them in their sorrow, and that the memories! of the fallen will always bo held in' honour by New Zealanders as those of men who fell fighting for their country. ''

, _ The birthday of his Royal Highness the. Pnnco of Wales—his .'first birthdny under that titlo—was eolobrated on tho 3rd June; The respoctful congratulations of tho Government and ]>eor>lo of I lie colony were duly convoyed to, and graciously acknowledged by, his Royal Highness. ' Imporirtl Conference of the colonial Premiors and representatives of the British Cabinet has l>een summoned to meet in London, and, as you are aware, the Premier of/Now Zealand is representing this colony, important subjects will be discussod thcro, Mil, Parliament may bo asked to pass such legislation as ivill be necessary to give effeot to .the decisions of the conference, in so far as they affoct .Now Zealand. His Majesty having honoured New Zealand by inviting the Promicr to attend the Coronation ccroroonics as hia guest, Mi* Seddon proceeded tp London by way of South Africa, Ho spent over a week thcro, flnil made all possible inquiries as to the condition and comfort of the New Zealand troops, as well as to matters affecting trade relations with this ..country. Ho . reached London on tJio 14th of June, My Ministers are. satisfied that at the conference and elsewhere lie .will do good scrviec to tho Stato in, questions of Imperial' concern as well-as in those more immediately affecting New Zealand, Tho hearty reception everywhere accorclcd to him as the representative of Now Zealand is a gratifying recognition of tho aesistanoa rendered by thi3 colony during tho war. I am pleased to inform you that (he Australian Commonwealth has agreed to admit Now Zealand letters at tho penny rate. Our penny postage system, has thus within tho British Empire bopome universal. : A of Imperial and colonial importUliCO viz.,. the laying of tho first sections of tho Pacific cable from Queensland to Norfolk Island,, Fiji, and New Zealand, lias already been comuletcd, and tho final section connecting Vancouver, Fanning Island, ami l?iji will'probably bo finished in about . fjix months., - f lMiw work may bo iHl.ingly termcij a link-in tho chain v/liicli will binil tho variouk portions of the Umpire with licjl of a common cause and common interest. • ■

. His Imperial .Japauesc Majesty's trainnig thips Hiyci and Kongo iatelv visited the colony on thejr way to Fiji. Tho commanders and their officers were welcomed / my Ministers, and every attention was 3hown them. The courtesy they recoivcd was cordially acknowledged. llio torriblo disaster which overtaken the residents of tho island of Martiniquo and other islands adjacent thereto' has excited tho sympathy of all classes in this country, and a message to that cfTcct \m lioen despatched to tlio French Govornment. •

Major-general Baliington liaa been appointed Commandant of the New Zealand Forces, and. has assumed control. Tender Ins direction" I. trust this branch of his -Majesty s servico will reocive the. attention its importance demands. He h.n airoauy visited a number of corps, nnd is making himself, acquainted villi the country and its requirements. His report will be* duly placed before you. : The legislation pa»K><l during 'last session of Parliament creating a system of-Maori Council* has/been favourably rcecjvcd. and promises to ho successful." The Native Minister has visited the various parts of tho colony,'"and met large numbers of Mil oris, 'placing hoforo them fully tho nature .and details of Uic It is with pleasure I inform you that the relationship existin? between the Europeans and Maoris is of tho happiest description, and that tho ilew legislation pives pfoort hope jjf a higher and more intelligent life for Vuo Maori people, •

The administration of the Cook Islands' is proceeding satisfactorily.. The chanßPs Ponscquont mi tlioir bointf- included within the boundaries of Nojv Zealand haw been offceted without friction, and tho unfivC3 seem porfcctlv contented with the now order of thing.', ' Fieures relative •to the trade 'of tho island?.'mil ha placed; hoforo you. As tho set expires soon after'the oloso of tho session, an amending bill will bo ncees-

Trade with South Africa ha.? developed during the .year, and T. am happy to say that a considerable nortion of it has conic to New Zealand. Much difficulty has been oxpenonced in ohtaining ruitablo steamers

Or carrying on a direct service, but it is expected that the negotiations which have Cil proceeding for tonic time will be successfully completed. My Ministers are of opinion that it i? to appoint commercial agents in 0 United Kingdom, South Africa, and Australia without delay, with a view to obtaining increased markets for, our produce. •

to tho ttoulovy provision in 'jiftt behalf, ' tho Representation OommisBionors lwvc. met for tlm purpose of readjusting the boundaries of the electoral districts oil the Kiiiifl of tho last census, and ■iwgn electorates to the six additional ionn it er i a ' o< .' "The Representation Act, JaUl). I'hcir report will be submitted to you at. the earliest possible date. ' ouiec the sc-.won of Parliament I "l\o visited various parts of the colony, and am ■ happy i 0 inform yon that upon all sides I found evidence of the progress'and' prosperity of (lie people. Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Honso of Representatives.

Notwithstanding many heavy and unusual ! tcn " of non-recurring expenditure,'and tlm 'argo concessions ma<le to tho public ill railway charges, Customs duties, and postago rates, tho result of the year's.operations has been satisfactory, Tito revenue nn9 kept up, and a substantial balance "tood to the- credit of the colony at the end of the financial year. • Tho Estimates, for the year, prepared with tho strictest economy 1 consistent with efficiency, will, in the ordinary coiirso, bo placed before- you for consideration. Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the Honso ■■ of Representative?.

Measures will bo submitted dealing with the' electoral laws, so as to bring them more in tonoli with the existing circumstances of the colony. They will includo the Referendum Bill,-which was passed last ecsoion by one branch of the Logislaturo. A bill .providing for State fire insurance will also be introduced. Some',necessary amendments in the Land Act (including proposals for rebato? to Crown tenants) will likewise be submitted, You will also be asked to consider a measurft making provision for the aged and retired officers of the' railway servico, Tho labour legislation i« working, with reasonable smoothness, considering .the complex interests involved, but somo- amendments of a detail naturo may bo neccssary. Under the act of last seer-ion a State coal mine lias been purchased, iind my Ministers hope it will soon ho in working order. The. Point Elizabeth Railway Coal Company's railway has boon acquired 'in connection' with it.

In the opinion of my Advisors, tho question of preventing combinations 1/y-which the prices of food cimplies are improperly raised lo consumers is. of importance, and should be considered. " .

You will 1)6 asked to make provision for •tho important work of prosecuting tho trunk linos of railv/ay, as well ai of carrying on other linos now in course of construction, Difficulties have arisen in applying tho Military Pension* Act to the South African semes, and several case? of undoubted hardship have • recurred which.' in tho opinion of my Ministers, should be provided for by an omonding measure. Tho limber industry is active, hut to ensure its permanency further provision should be made for foiling and fcrent conservation. Further provision is equally necessary for the reading of the lands to open'up'back blocks and assist 6&ttlcm;nt.. Several estatM have beon acquired under the Land for Settlements Acts, and pro being Entisfnetorily disposed of. It is the unanimous desiro of my Adviser* to . do all in their power to make settlement a succsw. Pronosals on these subjects will be submitto'l to you. and, in addition, you will be asked to deal with measures relating to mining mp.tfers, tho public health,- tho protection of young persons, the company law. ,nnd other subjects affecting the social and industrial. welfare of the community. Commending the proposals of my Ministen to your earnest attention, I pray that, with tho blessing of Almightv God, the result of your labours mav be for the good of tho Empire, and of lasting benefit to the people of Now Zealand.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

On the Council resuming after tho opening ceremony, , ■

RESIGNATION AND . NEW MEMBERS.

' Tho SPEAKER intimated that ho had received the resignation of the Hon. Mr B&m-ieoat as a member of tho Council. ! Tho now members of the Council—Messrs Holmes and Mnmhall—were gwom in. Leave of abence was granted to the-Hon. Mr Cadman for the session. • THE KING'S ILLNESS. The Hon. AV. 0. WALKER moved that an address of sympathy bo forwarded to the King in his illness,.and expressive of a hopo for his speedy and comnleto recovery. He believed such an address' would moot tho approval, not only of the Council, but the wholo colony. The King's illness came as, a shock to ,the wholo country, and a universij cry nroso to the Throne of Mercy for his recovery. The. King's life had been that of a live man, ami his lora would have been a loss to progress. The IJoii. Mr IiAILLIE seconded tho motion, which, was agreed to. RECENT DEATHS. Tho Hon. W. 0. WALKER moved a motion expressive of the Council's and the Houses,leas by tho death of the Hon. Mr Shriniski and Mr A. Morrison, and moved that, tho Council adjourn but of respect to their memory. The motion was agreed to. The Council roso at 3.45 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

.Immediately on the Housa reassembling,

SYMPATHY WIIH THE KING. Sir J. G. WARD moved that before entering on.the.ordinary business of tlio session this llouso desires to express its deep sorrow for his Majesty the King',? illness and its earnest hope that ho may speedily be restored to health, nnd that an address ho presented to tho Governor requesting him to forward a copy of this resolution to the Scorctnry of State for the Colonies for submiwion to liw Majesty. Sir J. G. Ward added that tho Governor had during the afternoon leceived the following message ,f £ , . mml) «'n'H:-"Glad to inform yon tho King continues to progress as favourably as could possibly. be expected. bad symptoms. Inform Parliament." iho Aotiiig-Premier, in Repressing ftt tho circumstances which hud caused the postponement of tho Coronation, ?a : d his Majesty had the deep sympathy of llis loyal subjects, ivlio' earnestly.' desired that his recovery might continue till he was fully restored I<i health.

>Sir WILLIAM RUSSELL ecc'onded the motiun, was agreed to. C(I XG K ATli LATIOX S. ■ Sir .1, G/WARD said he was verv pleased to extend to Sir William Resell his heartiest felicitations and congratulations upon the honour that had recently been Conferred on him. In doing *=» ho felt he w-as voicing the feelings of every member of the House, :us well a 4 the feelings of the people of nil in tho colony, Ho could say, on behalf of tho irwmb&i ; 3 of both sides of iW House, that .Sir W. Huseell had ever, by lih courtesy and gentlemanly conduct, hold their respcct,' goodwill, and esteem. Ho (Sir .T, G. Ward) hoped Sir \\dham and Lady Ku.wJl would live lonff to war the honouw Sir William had so worthily won,

. : Sir W. RUSSELL said he fc-Jt most deeply the honour that had W„ conferred on him for services which ho hud be,n ablo to render during tho laet quarter of a century, and which had now met f„U recognition. Ho felt even more deeply the kind expressions contained m loiters ami telegrams from most of the members of the House' If n man miplit flatter himself on any occasion, it was that the honour lie had received had met tlin approbation of the people amonc whom ho had lived for the last 40 years. TITE ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. Mr SIDEY save notice to move (ho ■ Address-in-Reply.

DEATHS- OP MEMBERS,

Sir J. G. WARD referred to tho death of Mr Arthur Morrison, who had so long and so ably represented Cavorsham in the House, ami paid a warm tribute to his memory. He desired to express sympathy with lite widow and familv, nnd to place on record tho liijjli opinion that was hold of the late Mr Morrison. Sir <T. 6, Ward also expressed similar sentiments regarding tho Hon. Mr Shrimski, whosd death was recently announced, and moved that the JIOUBO immediately adjourn till 3 p.m. tomorrow as a mark of respect to their memory.

RUSSELL seconded the motion, and eaid they had all read of late cf heroism on the battlefield, but he supposed not one of the horocs whom they had honoured had displayed such great fortitude en.Uiranco, and courage as Mr Morrison had done during his long illness. .1 he motion-was agreed to. tho "ouro roso at 3.10 p.m.