No Legislative Measures During Present Session.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18629, 5 December 1928, Page 10

No Legislative Measures During Present Session.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL DELIVERS SPEECH TO TWENTY-THIRD PARLIAMENT OF N.Z.

WELLINGTON. December 5. THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S SPEECH to Parliament today was much briefer than usual. His Excellency said that Parliament had been convened to give an opportunity to express approval or otherwise of the Administration. He intimated that no legislative measures "would he submitted. Information would be furnished relating to the finances of the Dominion. His Excellency said:—

Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.

The illness of the King has created, and still causes, grave anxietj'- in every part of his Empire. lam confident that you join with me in the earnest hope that his Majesty may be speedily restored to complete health and strength.

in accordance with the advice of my Ministers that immediate opportunity should be afforded to the Twenty-third Parliament of the Dominion to express approval or otherwise of their administration I have convened vour first session to be held at the earliest possible date after the return of the writs.

It is not proposed to submit legislative measures for your consideration during your present session. Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.

As Supply has been already granted for the period expiring on June 30 next you will not be called upon during your present session to consider legislation relating to finance. You will be furnished with information relating to the finances of the Dominion for the first seven months of this financial year.

Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.

I earnestly trust that under Divine Providence the happiness and wellbeing of the people of the Dominion may be advanced by the result of your deliberations.

EARLY DECISION IS EXPECTED.

LABOUR MEN WILL NOT PROLONG DEBATE ON NO-CONFIDENCE VOTE. (Special to the “Star.’ ) WELLINGTON, December 5. There has been a subtle change in the political atmosphere. Before the session began there was much speculation among members as to the length of the no-conficlence debate, and until yesterday it was gener-c-rally thought that Labour members would prolong it. Now the situation has suddenly altered. Labour members,

who formerly declared that they would talk to Sir Joseph Ward’s amendment, are emphatic that the better plan is to dispose of the business for which Parliament has been summoned, namely to decide the fate of the Coates Government promptly. Thus, it is certain that events will move rapidly until Sir Jos eph Ward is in a position to form his new Cabinet. If there is talking to be done it is more probable that the opportunity v.'ill be taken on the motion to adjourn the House until the ordinary time in June.