OPENING OF THE VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1277, 11 June 1884, Page 2

OPENING OF THE VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT.

[rehtbr’s telegrams —oopvright, ] Melbourne, Yesterday. The Victorian Parliament was opened to-day by His Excellency Sir Wm. Stawell. In his speech on the occasion, the Acting Governor, after recording the universal regret which was felt at the death of the late Prince Leopold, referred at length to the recent Intercolonial Convention, and recapitulated various matters which came under discussion. The speech announced that the minutes of proceedings at the Convention would be laid before Parliament, and stated, with reference to the recidivists question, that if, unfortunately, the protests of the Convention, the diplomatic action of the Imperial Government, and the unceasing exertions of his Excellency’s advisers should prove ineffectual, his advisers would be prepared to take steps such as the threatened danger might necessitate; and in this view it was proposed to constitute a Council of Defence. The speech expressed gratification at the success of the International Exhibition lately held at Calcutta. It referred to the abundant harvest, and affirmed the prosperous condition of the colony at the present time. Bills were announced for the amendment of the land laws, for the further extension of the railway system, for the amendment of laws relating to banking, and for the constitution of a Metropolitan Board of Works for the city of Melbourne.