The Wanganui Chronicle "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1909. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12238, 11 June 1909, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1909. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Tiie Governor's Speech, delivered on the occasion of the opening of Parliament yesterday, runs on old -and familiar lines.. Its only conspicuous feature is itsr.brevity;•■..'•and that, under the circumstances, occasions no surprise. Parliament in its wisdom having confessed its inability to proceed with the business of the country in the absence of the Prime Minister, it followed as a matter of course that His Excellency would have practically nothing to submit to Parliament. Consequently it may, with literal accuracy, be said of this speech that "thjsre.is nothing in it." It is intentionally devoid of controversial matter. "It is not considered necessary

by my advisers," says Lord Plunket, ''that any measures should be brought before you." In other words, Ministers having provided members with nothing, to do are anxious that they should do it as quickly as possible, and so enable tho indispensable chief to get away without further delay. In .so far a3 the Speech relates to the weighty imperiar problems of the hour it is altogether' admirable, and we feel confident that the patriotic sentiments expressed by His Excellency will be heartily endorsed by the men and women of New Zealand. At the same time we believe the majority of taxpayers will sympathise with the contention of the Opposition that the business of the Dominion has been improperly and unjustifiably suspended. The responsibility for this rests with those members who voted in favour of the prorogation, and it may bo taken for granted that some of these gentlemen, if not all of them, will be called upon to satisfy their constituents that their votes represented something better than an obedient concession to party convenience. Further than this, the Governor's Speech calls for no comment. It was a purely formal utterance, and we must be content to accept it as such, and to wait until Parliament resumes after the prorogation for the usual outline of the Goverment's policy.