FEDERAL PARLIAMENT OPENED

West Coast Times, 21 June 1912, Page 3

FEDERAL PARLIAMENT OPENED

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SPEECH BY GOVERNOR-GENERAL .TER PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.] MELBOURNE, June 19. Th 6 Federal Parliament lias opened. His Excellenby ilie tlovefnof-tleu-cral (Lord Denman) referred to the prospects of a continuance of tho prosperity which was marked by tho increase of immigration* Dealing with tho proposed maternity grant, ho said ho was unable to regard tho natural increase in the Commonwealth, otherwise than with the deepest concern. Tho death rate was too high and nearly 9000 children died under tho ago of one year and many from preventable causes. Bleu ami women wore tho best asset of tho nation, hence the proposed grant. His advisors proposed again to ask the people to approve of the alteration in the constitution enabling Parliament to legislate effectively against trusts, combines and monopolies, and to extend its powers regarding industrial matters. He announced that the Government had agreed to a request fiom the Admiralty to reduce tho squadron by tho return of H.M.S. Challenger and two first-class cruisers. The Government was anxious for cheaper cable communication with the Old World, and was still urging the laying of a State-owned Atlantic cable also co-oporating with other parties in the Pacific cable agreement for tlie- purpose of introducing deferred and other cheaper forms of cablegrams.

Tho Bills promised in the -Speech included; Navigation Act, Amending tli > Old Ago Pension Act, Trade Marks and Customs Bills, and the development of wireless. These would bo pushed on immediately. The debate on tho Addrcss-in-Rcply has opened and has been adjourned in both Houses. A meeting cf the Opposition reelected the Hon. Alfred Deakin to the leadership. It was derided to move an amendment to the addroao, but tho terms of the lU'-eenlideixe melton are nos stated.

CENSURE MOTION MOVED. MELBOURNE, June 2d. In ihe Federal .House, tho Hon. Alfred Deacon moved a censure, motion in the following terms: “That the Government merits censure for its failure to realise the constitutional obligations and its flagrant neglect of duty to secure industrial peace and good order; its maladministration the public departments; its gross partisan actions in regard to appoi incuts; and its reckless irresponsibility in financial affairs.” The House adjourned until to-mor-row.