OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13632, 29 June 1906, Page 5

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

THE FORMAL CEREMONY: (Fib TJjnraD Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 23. The formal opening of tho first session of the sixteenth Parliament took place at 2.30, Tho attendance of spectators in the Council galleries was much smaller than usual.

His Excellency tho Governor was received by tho usual guard of honour and salute of guns. He entered precisely at the hour fixed, and took his seat on the dais, surrounded by tho staff and various consular officers.

Tho members of the Lower House having been summoned attended in force, headed by the Speaker and preceded by the Ser-geant-at-arms. The Governor delivered his Speech, and the members of tho Houso retired to their own Chamber.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. Tho following is tho text of tho address given by his Excellency: —

Hon. Members of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,—

My pleasure at meeting you in Parliament assembled is marred by tho death of my lale chief Adviser, the Ri?ht Hon. R. J. Seddon, who for more than 13 years occupied the position of Prim? Minister of this colony. His lout; and uninterrupted tenure of that high office, I believe, in the annals of the Rrilish dominions, is Iho most convincing proof of the confidence reposed in him by the Parliament and people of New Zealand. It was, however, lfot in colonial affairs only that Mr Seddon achieved a position of great eminence and responsibility, for, a.part from the services ho rendered to New Zealand, his ardent devotion to the great cause of the unity of tho Emnire made him a. notable figure in the domain of Imperial politics. The universal sorrow and sympathy evoked throughout the Empire show that his strenuous advocacy of great Imperii"! and democratic ideals was appreciated in oilier lands than our own, and it is fitting that as the King's representative, in the presence of the representatives of the people whom Mr Seddon served so faithfully and so long, ar.d in whose service he died. I should bear testimony to the loss which has been sustained bv his untimely death. At my request, tho Hon. William Hall-Jones undertook the formal ion of a Ministry, which has now assumed office.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— I am happy to be able to inform you that the Esiimates passed last, session of Parliament to cover the expenditure of the then current financial year proved amply sufliricnl. and that the year defied with asurplus of receipts over expenditure. My Advisers believe that With prudent administration I here is every reason to anticipate that the financial results of tho current year will be equally satisfactory. You will !•■" invited lo consider proposals having for their object the extension of appropriations lo a suitable date. .

lion. Members of the Lci--.|ativo Council a.nd Gentlemen of tho Hou.se of Representatives.—

I coiiKr.-ilublo you unon the continued proofs of the strength of the colony's financial position, and also upon the substantial nroeress made in its chief industries, which in shown by the continued increase in the vobimo of exports. .

It is mi- rawest desire to co-operate with you in all that may promote fin wcKo.ro and nrosperilv of New Zealand, and I trust that, with the aid rf Divine Pro-i''ence your labours mav result in the well-being and happine?s of the'people,