FEDERAL PARLIAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19687, 14 January 1926, Page 9

FEDERAL PARLIAMENT

OPENED WITH FULL CEREMONIAL. ATTACK BY LABOUR PARTY. CPres* Association— By Telegraph—Copyright.) MELBOURNE, January 13. (Received Jan. 13, at 9.25 p.m.) The Federal Parliament was opened with full ceremonial which has not been, seen since the outbreak of the war. ’ Lord Stonehaven in a speech said His Ministers welcomed the Locarno Pact and were giving earnest consideration to the manner in which the treaty affected the Empire as a whole. The prosperous condition of the Commonwealth was being maintained and the financial position was sound. Ministers realised the vital importance of providing the greatest measure of defence, and accordingly were proceeding with a programme of naval, military, and air defence. He concluded that the elections showed that the people of Australia were determined to maintain law and order, and protect the Commonwealth against the sinister activities of persons pursuing a policy of disturbances and unrest, in order to promote revolutionary objects. ■ Sir Littleton Groom was elected Speaker. When he iwas nominated the Labour Party launched a bitter attack on the Government, the speakers stating that Sir Littleton Groom was compelled to resign the portfolio of Attorney-General because of the bad advice he gave the Government over the Deportation Act, and the Speakership was offered him as a balm to his injured feelings. Mr S. M. Bruce (Prime Minister) in a vigorous reply, denied this stating that Sir Littleton Groom resigned the portfolio of .Attorney-General sometime before the High Court delivered judgment in the deportation cases.

FORTY-FOUR-HOUR WEEK FOR SEAMEN. SYDNEY, January 13. (Received Jan. 13, at 9.25 p.m.) Mr F. A. M‘Donald, the defeated candidate for Barton at the Federal elections has lodged a petition in the register of the High Court challenging the validity of the return of his apponent Mr T. J. Ley. In the Assembly Mr J. M. Baddeley introduced a Bill to amend the Fortyfour Hours Act to provide for a fortyfour hours 'week for seamen.

To give effect to the mandate secured by the elections the Government proposed to legislate forbidding the establishment of associations having for their objective the forcible disturbance or the overthrow of constitutional Government, and providing for the punishment of persons promoting the objects of such associations. Legislation to prevent the dislocation of trade and commerce bv interfering with the transport of goods or passengers would also be submitted.

The Speech then outlined the abritration proposals mentioned by Mr Bruoe in his policy speech, and concluded by announcing that the seat of Government would ba transferred to Canberra early in the New Year.

The House adjourned until to-morrow out of respect for Queen Alexandra, also as a tribute to Sir Austin Chapman.