THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3559, 11 May 1901, Page 3

THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.

United Press Association—Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received 12.27 a.m., May 10th. MELBOURNE, May 10. The "Argus" declares Sir F. Sargood's defeat to be due to the Labour Party deciding to support him for the Presidency, and apparently there was a general resolve on the part of the other members that the Labour contingent should not hold the balance 'of power. Received 2.51 a.m., May 10th.

The Governor's speech was delivered to the Senate this morning. It was lengthy. He said that some time must elapse before the financial conditions of the Commonwealth would permit of provision being made for old age pensions, but the subject would be dealt with as soon as possible. The adoption of the existing tariff of any one of the States was impracticable. As the existing tariffs had given rise to industries, the Federal tariff must give fair consideration to these factors, and must necessarily operate in protecting industries as well as for the production of revenue. Received 1 p.m., May 10th. A sight never to be forgotten was the assemblage which greeted the Duke yesterday Many thousands throughout Australia will envy them the mere fact of making units on such a memorable occasion.

As the Duke pronounced that the Parliament was open, the Duchess pressed an electric key, which gave the signal for hoisting the Union Jack, and sending a message to England, declaring that the

Eoyal Envoys had accomplished their mis sion.

Lieutenant Uru and 16 Maoris formed part of the Royal escort when the visitors crossed the bridge into the city. The stands were black with people. Mighty cheers rang out, echoing up and down the river like the sound of thunder. The Go-vernor-General too came in for an enthusiastic reception along the route. The military sight of the day was seen on the steps of Parliament House. There, in interesting contrast to the Navy and Army veterans of Britain wearing with unconcealed pride their medals, numbering 250, were the boy soldiers of Victoria to the number of 4500. The little fellows were perched on the steps, the walls and. the balustrades, endless lines of khaki streaked with thin touches of red. In front the senior cadets in dark-blue formed a Guard of Honour. Most of the veterans wore medals from the New Zealand/war, but here and there were strong old men ready

3 to show their medals for the Crimean war, ! the Burmese war, the Indian Mutiny, and i for many a one of Britain's little wars, 1 of which there are so many that the very ■ names sound strange. > Most of the visiting war ships berthed I at Port Melbourne were visited by 20,000 ' people yesterday. The State concert in the evening was a most brilliant spectacle, and was attended by the Royal visitors. Received 2.30 p.m., May 10th. A fair attendance of notables was present in the Senate on the delivery of the Governor-General's speech; which was lengthy. It set out that some time must elapse before the financial conditions of the Commonwealth would permit of provision being made for old age. pensions, but Ministers would deal with the subject as soon as possible. Bills, dealing with banking, navigation, shipping, and quarantine, would be introduced as quickly as possible, while consideration would be given to the best means of converting, renewing, or consolidating the public debts of the States. The fiscal proposals of anyFederal Government must be largely dependent on the financial exigencies of the States. The' adoption of the existing tariff of any one of the States would be impracticable and unjust. In order to secure a reasonable and sufficient return of surplus revenue to each State, so as to fairly observe the intention of the Constitution, while avoiding the unnecessary destruction of the sources of employment, was a work which prohibited a rigid adherence to fiscal theories. As the existing tariffs had given rise to industries, the Federal tariff must give fair consideration to these factors, and must necessarily operate, protectively as well as for the production of revenue. Attention would be given to the construction of a railway to connect Western Australia and the eastern States. If possible, universal penny postage would be established. With these additions the speech was as already forecasted. Received 12.15 a.m., May 11th. At a meeting of the Opposition, on the motion of Sir E. C. N. Braddon, seconded by Mr Glyn, of Adelaide, Mr Reid was elected leader. Parliament has adjourned, and will resume business on Tuesday week. Received 8.56 &.m., May 10th." SYDNEY, May 10. There was a considerable display of bunt- ; ing in the city and country yesterday, in ; honour of the Federal Parliament. ; ADELAIDE, May 10. Simultaneously with the opening of the Federal Parliament, a salute of twentyone guns was fired. The town hall bells were rung, and the Union Jack was hoisted. At a given signal at night bonfires were lighted. BRISBANE, May 10. ] The Presbyterian Assembly, at the hour fixed for the opening of the Commonwealth ( Parliament, offered prayer that the Divine power would guide the deliberations of ■ the Federal legislature. ]