PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 137, 2 July 1901, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

—* — i OPENED BY COMMISSION, j 1 SWEARING ALLEGIANCE TO KING EDWARD. I (per press association.) • Wellington, July 1. The 8- cond session of the fouiteen'.h i Parliament was opened this afternoon, j Upon the members of the Lower House ( a'sembling at 2.30, they were sum- ] moned to the Legislative C un r il , Chamber, .where the Speaker, Sir i Henry J. Miller, read the commusiOn ' lor opening Parliament. He also read a mese age from the Governor annoticc ing the death of the Queen and intimating that members would forthwith swear allegiance to the new Sovereign, , and stating that he would attend in person next day at 2.30 to give reasons for the calling-of Parliament together. There was a large attendance of members of both Houses, but only a sprinkling of tbe general public. At the conclusion of the formal proceedings the sweai ing-in ceremony took place simultaneously in both Chambers. The foim of oath was as follows:—"I do sincerely promise and swear that I will ( be faithful and bfar true al'eg'sn e to ' h»8 Maj sty Kirg Edward VII., bo ' help me God." < On the Legislative Council resuming, the Speaker read a message from trie ' Goverccr announcing the Queen's death. Hon. W. O. Walker "That the Oounril presents a respectful addre c s to his Majesty ' and assure h'm that it deeply ' laments the death of her late ' most Gracious Majesty Qaeen Victoria, whose came and reign will ever be he'd in lasting remembrance by her sorrowing and loving subjets. The, Council respectfully begs to congratulate bis ' Majesty on his accession to the Th'one, ' and _ assures his Majesty of its loyal ' attachment to' his person and df sires to pray for his Majesty the glory of a reign which will be marked by peace ! and prosperity and a general advance in the social and economic condition of his subject?." Hon. Walker stated that tbelo»s of our late Qaeen had bsei with her subjec's and in their hearts ever since the sad event occurred. The more they thought of it, the more it came home to them bow good a Queen she was, and how much we owed to her. . Some of ay no doubt, had been bora i during the - reign of tbe •8 .vereign) but none had liv< d a con- I scions life in any reigo prior to -the late ! Queen's, and the change had csma as 1 revolution. He knew tbat they would I pass the motion before them without controversy, in loving remembrarce of the Qu>en that was gw, a>:d in full sympathy with the rssponsibili- ! ties of the new King. ' Hon. O. O. Bowen, in seconding, ' state! that a piet Lad said that ! chivalry wis dead. Such had teen ' found no"; to be the cas*, for hei lite Majesty had revived it. Eon. W. D. H. BailHV, as an old soldier, spoke of the solicitude of-the late Quean f r her soldier-sabjec's. Hon. S. E. Shriraski also spoke to the mo'ion, which was carried unanimously. Tbe* Gounal adjourned till tomorrow. On the House resuming, the Speiker, Sir. G. M. O'Rorke, announced that he had received the resignation of Mr. O. Lew's, member for Ohristchurcb, . and Mr. Georga Hut-hesen, m«mber j fOrPatgfc In' eply to enquiries from members, the Speaker said he bad received Mr. Hutcheson's resignation on Saturday. It did not bear any date. Mr. Seddon (Premier) gave notice to „m4ve on Wednesday that writs should be issued for the vacant seats. , Tbe Speaker read a message from , the Governor containing the King's , message announc'ng the death of Irs belovel motber. Mr Seddon then moved a resolution in terms similar to that propose i by Hon. Walker in the Leg'sla tivd Council. In doing S3 Mr. Seddon said the in'elligeece of the death of their thlov.d Queen had sent a thrill of grief throughout the colony. Although sbe had pisied away and surrendered a trrea'rial throne they all felt that it was only a temporary surrender, and that her face would be amongst the blest. Durng ber reign great advan'ages had accrued to mankind, ale quate procf of which could be fcund by comparing the conditions of 64 years aso wiri, tho*e of tc-day. Under those cirenms'ances cV-ey joined in offe in; condolence King ar.d membe s of the Royal f mily in their irrep ° rable loss. A* Q k en, wife, and mother, Victoria the Good had shown an example to the world, and her endeavours to p- omote the wellb ing and happiness of her subjects would ever be remembe ed. It was to be regretted that the South African war had obtru'ed itself at tin end cf her raign, but tbe honour of the nation had ever been ber car*, arjd though gone her memory would always be revered and her good works romem- . bered. It was desired to offer the King their loyal and cordial gree'ings on bis accesdon to the Throne. He was a worthy son of a good mo'her. He (Mr. Seddon) could confidently say that his reign would be marked Vy much good. The King's message to the Imperial Parliament bad struck a sympathetic cord throughout tbe Em pin*, an-l there was only one response : " Anrn; do your du'y, and will have the loy»l assistance of your people." As a proof of the King's sinceri'y and desira to carry out the la*e Q>ieen's pledges, Mr. Seddon pointed to the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, which originated wijh the Queen, and remarked chit the ad J i esses which had been pie ented to* the Boyal couple m the colo r y had come spontaneously from a'l and breathed loyalty and a Sect tion to the Throne. In conclusion Mr. Seddon said it would be their duty to assist the new Sovereign to further the interests of the great Empire to which they and to promote tbo happimsi and contentment of the people and to help him create a higher acd brighter c'vislation than now existed. Ocptain R'ifsell seconded the resolution. He said that as historian ard poet had extolled the virtues of the late Queen he felt it would ba futile to gild refined gold, and add any poor word of hi* own tribute to ber memory. The e3teem of the whole civilised wcr'd b.3d b en to her, and the exampla cf her pure life, devoted to her people, could never fade. In rucceediog to a lofty inheritance and a great nanie the King had the example of bis noble and exalted mother. He felt the whole energies of the King's career on the Throne would be devoted to followicc; in the foateters of one sa lofty and pure m Victoria the Noble. Tho motion was carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. Seddon it was decided that the Speaker present the resolutiea to His ExcelJ»ncy, with a

resii c'ful reqviest that he forward it to t'e Secretary of S':=te for th" Colonies for submission 'o His Majes'y. \ Atr-3,30 p.m., Ue House uojourred' till 2.30 io-mrr,w. THE PATE A. CONTEST. Wellington, July 1. It is probable that th« coute.t for the Pattaseit v ill be narrowed down ti a straight-out struggle between the Miaureri-1 and Opprsit'on candidates. Mr. John He-lop's candidature will re ceive the support of the Government; Mr. Haseld"n being the Opro*ition randidae. The e'eccicn nil'probably be fixed for Wednesday, 24th inst. The wrio is issuing to-morrov.