IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 11659, 18 January 1902, Page 3

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

THE OPENING CEREMONIES.

A BRILLIANT GATHERING. TjEh-sd Press Association —Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received 9.53 a.m., January 17th. • LONDON, January 16. The opening of Parliament to-day will le similar to last year's ceremony. No semi-official forecast of the Speech from the Throne has been issued. Mr E. B. Hoare, member of the House ■of Commons for Hampstead, has resigned, owing to ill-health. Mr McHvain isthe offici.ll Conservative candidate. The Navy League is running Lord Charles Beresford, and~Mr Rowe contests the seat in the Liberal interest. Received 11.38 a.m.. January 17th. At the opening of Parliament the route of the procession was from Marlborough House to Westminster. There was a magnificent ceremony. The King and Queen were everywhere greeted with enthusiasm. There was a brilliant scene in th* He use of Lords. The Speech from the Throne referred to the demonstrations of liveliest affection everywhere shown to the Prince and Princess of Wales during their recent tour. The King concluded :"I am convinced that their presence served to rivet more closely the bonds of mutual regard and loyalty, by which the vigour of the Empire is" maintained."' Bills were promised cealing with primary and secondary education, the water supply of London, the sale and purchase of land in Ireland, the sale of intoxicants, registration of club--, improvement of the law of valuation, amendments to the patent law, and lunacy Tefonn.

Received 10.56 p.m.. January 17th. LONDON, January 17. Five State carriages preceded the State coach, eight cream horses in purple and gold trappings drawing it. The Life Guards escorted it*. The Sovereigns were smiling and bowing, and the procession was one of"the most loyal and enthusiastic ovations ever witnessed. The spectacle in the House of Lords was one of great splendour, under the effects of the electric light. The wearing of mourning by peeresses was suspended for the day. "The King, dressed as a Field Marshall," wore his robe of State thrown well back. The Queen had on a black dress under a sweeping robe, which was relieved by strings of pearls and diamonds, and had a little diamond crown over a, soft white veil. Her Majetsy looked gracious and aueenly. In the House of Commons, Sir Michael Hicks-Beach intimated that the coal tax would remain unaltered. Received 12.30 a.m.. January 13th. The Prince and Princess of Wales and other royalties were present in the House of Lords. The Princess- wore a black dress and ribbon cf the Order of Victoria. No Nationalist members were present. The Agents-General had seats in the rcyal gallery. Although it is a tradition of Parliament to listen ia absolute silence, the passage in the Speech referring to the conduct of the troops evoked a distinct mcrmur of assent. The weather was dull, but fine. His Majestv the King read the Speech in a clear voice." The Speech declared tl-at relations with the Powers were friendly, and the course of the war favourable. The soldiers, despite the tediousness of the guerilla struggle, had throughout displayed cheerfulness, endurance and humanity, even to their oxra detriment, deserving the highest praise. -Further loyal offers of troops were acknowledged. * Contingents were coming from Canada, the Australian Commonwealth, and New Zealand. The Speech trusted that the International Sugar Bounties Conference at Brussels would decide to abandon the bounties which were unfairly weighing on the sugar-producing colonies and home manufacturers. The

Isthmian Canal treaty with America secured a neutral canal open to the commerce anti shipping of all nations. It was announced that the King of Italy had agreed to act as arbitrator bet-wean Britain and Brazil in regard to the disputed boundary of British Guiana. Belief of the famine-affected districts in India was progressing and hopeful results were expected from the Cornmission's report. Received 12.45 a.m.. January 18th. The Speech from the Throne gave rise to ; spirited debates in both Houses. | In the House of Lords, Lord Rosebery j elicited from Lord Salisbury that no over- I tures had been made by the Boers., J Lord Bosehery added'that he had nothing 1 but commendation for the spirit and words I of Mr Chamberlain's replv to Count von Bulow. ■ I Lord Salisbury welcomed Earl Spencers I declaration that" independence of the Boers was impossible. He said that " Britain ( mast show no weakness. It was not our j duty to say on what terms we'would forgive assailants before forgiveness was asked. He sc'emnlv warned the Liberals of the danger to the safety of the Empire resulting from anv failure however slight in regard tr> acknowledging the absolute supremacy of the King." In the House of Commons, Sir H. Cf.mp-bell-Bsnnennan and Sir W. Vernon Eordrew from Mr Balfour and Mr Chamberlain a statement of the resolute policy of the ftrvernment. and a vindication of Lord 'Miiners action in suspending the constitution of Cape Colony by the Ministry's advice. The Ministry would hereafter receive an Act of indemnity.