CEREMONY IN THE COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 153, 28 June 1907, Page 3

CEREMONY IN THE COUNCIL.

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Beporter.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. One of Wellington's dreariest days ■was experienced today for the opening of Parliament";, and in consequence something of the usual brilliance of the scene both inside and outside the House was absent. For once the limited space in the Legislative Council Chamber waa not unduly crowded, while the seats for the councillcrs not yet being filled by the fourteen new nominees looked as sparsely furnished as the Opposition ben-ches in the House of Representatives. His Excellency was accompanied by the members of the new Defence Council, who in their full scarlet uniforms outehone the ladies in contributing a touch of colour to the otherwise sombre group on the floor of the Chamber. The pleasant little surprise by the Premier turned out to be a proposal to change the deaignation of New Zealand from colony to dominion, indicating the colony's higher status in the Empire, otherwise the reading of the Speech from the Throne was not marked by any expression of emotion, either of pleasure or pain, though it was difficult to repress a titter when his Excellency announced - that the colony's population had increased to persons.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

In the House of Representatives two new members, elected during the recess, Messrs H. J. H. Okey (New Plymouth) and F. W. Lang (Manukau). took the oath and occupied seats on the Opposition benches. The Premier, Sir Joseph Ward announced that tie had consulted the Leader of the Opposition and ascertained that he was in agreement with a proposal to adjourn the sitting of Parliament until Tuesday, which would enable members to attend the funeral of Sir John Hall tomorrow. IMPREST SUPPLY. The Colonial Treasurer introduced an Imprest Supply Bill, providing for the [following appropriations: —Consolidated Fund, £375,000; Publid Works. Fund, £ 150,000; Government Loans to Local Bodies Account, £5000; Land for Settlements Account, £1000; State Forests Account. £2500; State Coal Alines Account, £20.000; Scenery Preservation Account, £1000; Hutt Railway and Road Improvement Account, £6000; Railways Improvements Authorisation Act Account, £12,000; Maori Land Settlement Act Account. £ 500; Wai'kaka Branch. Railway Account, £S0O0: totaL- £581,000. The bill contaias power to transfer from the Consolidated Fund to the Public Works Fund any sum not exceeding £ 100,000.

Mr Massey. Leader of the Opposition, asked the Colonial Treasurer if an amendment of the Advances to Workmen's- Act would be introduced this •session with the object o<f enabling country workers to enjoy the same facilities a≤ town workmen for borrowing to build their houses. He thought it unfair thai country workers should be denied the benefits of the Act. He was bound to. admit that the Act had been an exceedingly useful one, which had been taken advantage of by a large number of persons.

The Premier replied that this matter had teen fully described when the original bill was before the House. He was anxious to extend the advantages of the but if any branch of its working was unsuccessful it meant the imposition of higher rates of interest upon all borrowers. It must not in any way be made a political football, to be kicked about in any way, befcause it ■was a great be*lp to the producers of tjjfi sQuntrjr. .as KQuld secure a re-

port upon the matter and submit it to the House. The bill was reported, read a third time, and ■passed. THE DEATH ROLL. Before the House adjourned motions of regret at the deaths of the Hon. A. P4tt, late Minister for Defence, the Hons. Wm. M. Bolt and L. Walker, of the Legislative Council. Messrs M. .M. | Kirkbride and E. M. Smith, late members of the House of Representatives, and Sir John Hall, were adopted, coupled with an expression of high appreciation of the services rendered to the country by the deceased. The Premier, speaking of Sir John Hall, who was Premier of the coloDy from 1879 until 1887.. said he served the colony in various otner capacities for many years, and among the Canterbury pioneers none stood out more prominently. Mr Massey (Franklin) declared that the deceased statesman was one of those who well and truly laid the foundation of our legislation. One of New Zealand's best and greatest men had gone to his rest. The motions having been adopted in silence, the House adjourned after a brief sitting until Tuesday evening next.