PARLIAMENT IN SESSION.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 856, 30 June 1910, Page 6

PARLIAMENT IN SESSION.

KIN 6 EDWARD'S DEATH.

NEW ZEALAND'S OFFICIAL ADDRESS.

TO IE LAID AT THE FOOT 0F THE THROVE.

MEWS AUB VIEWS.

Attired in his official robes, the Hon. A. It. Guinness (Speaker of the House) waited upon his Excellency the Governor (Lord Islington) yesterday to present to him an address from the House of Representatives in regard to tho death of his late Majesty King Edward, and tho accession of King George V; also to ask him to forward to the new King an address relating to tho some mattors. The Hon. the Speaker was accompanied by Air. Ottorson (tho Clerk of tho House) and Colonel Shepherd (the Sergeant-at-Arms). His Excellency, in the course of a brief reply, said it wonld give him great pleasure to accedo to the request. The following is tho text of the' address to Lord Islington:—

ADDRESS FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. TO His Excellency the Right Honourable John Poynder, Baron Islington; Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over his Majesty's Dominion of New Zealand and its Dependencies. May it please your Excellency,— We, tho Members of the House of Representatives of the Dominion of New Zealand, in Parliament assembled, have tho honour to present herewith an Address to the King's Most Excellent Majesty on the Death of our late Most Gracious Majesty King Edward tho Seventh and the Accession of His Majesty- King Georgo the Fifth, and respectfully request that it may be transmitted to Her Majesty's Secretary of Slate for the Colonics, to be laid at tho foot of the Throne. (Signed) A. GUINNESS, Speaker. House of Representatives, Wellington, New Zealand, 23th June, 1910. Tho address, which is to be transmitted to King George, was worded as under;— ADDRESS FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF NEW ZEALAND TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. Most Gracious Sovereign, ~ We, the Members of tho House of Representatives of tho Dominion of NewZealand, in Parliament assembled, humbly desiro to assuro Your Majesty that this House deeply laments the death of our late Most Gracious Majesty King Edward tho Seventh, whose name and reign will over bo held in lasting remembrance by His late Majesty's sorrowing and loving subjects. This House respectfully begs to submit to Your Majesty its congratulations on yoni accession to the Throne, and assures Yonr Majesty of the House's loyal attachment to your person, and desires to pray for Your Majesty the glory of a reign to bo distinguished by peace, prosperity, and a general advance in tho social and economic conditions of .yonr subjects. (Signed) A. GUINNESS, Speaker. House of Representatives, Wellington, New Zealand, 28th June, 1910. Similar addresses were also presented to His Excellency by the Hon. the Speaker (Sir Charlos Bowon) on behalf of tho Legislative Council.

PRELIMINARY BUSINESS. The fact that no sitting of the House was held yesterday did not mean that members had a light day. On the contrary, theY were very busy, for it afforded them an opportunity of placing urgent requirements iu connection v.-itli their districts before the various Ministers. When i o'clock arrived, however, Ministers were summoned to attend a meeting of Cabinet, which lasted a considerable time. It is expected that when the House meets to-day there will be an avalanche of questions and notices of motion. Tho principal business will be the consideration of an Imprest Supply Hill. As usual the Bill is expected to be the occasion for tho airing of a number of grievances, but nothing has transpired as to tho nature of any amendments which may be moved.

OPPOSITION HOLD A CAUCUS. Members of tho Opposition held their first caucus last night. No official statement was made at its conclusion. It is understood, however, that several matters were discussed, and that the proceedings were marked by a good deal of enthusiasm. All the members of tho party are in Wellington, with tho exception of four. One of tho absentees is Mr. Rhodes, M.P. for Ellesmcrc, who is expected back next week from Australia, whither he had gono with Mrs. Rhodes, who is in indifferent health. Mr. Hcrries, one of the other absentees, will roach Wellington next week, ho having been detained by private, business. Mr. Jas. Allen is returning to Otago for a few ilnys on urgent private business. Mr. Thomson, M.P. for Dunedin, who is at present in Australia, will not Teach Wellington for a week or two. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. It is generally understood that the debate on the Address-in-lioply will begin ou Friday. GOVERNMENT WHIPS. Tliero is good authority for stating that iu view of Mr. Lauronson's resignation of the office of senior Government Whip, Mr. Ell and Mr. Macdonald will at onco bo appointed Government Whips. THE LABOUR POINT OF VIEW. According to Mi*. Hogg, M.l 1 . for Maslerlon, Ihere is no foundation for the reporl Unit he will stand as a straight-out Labour candidate at next election. Speaking lo a Bominion reporter yesterday, by remarked that as in the past he intended to do all ill his power to help the workers, but lie could do that in his capacity as a Liberal member. Asked whether there was any probability of a direct Labour partj being formed in tho House this session, Mr. Hogg replied in the negative. It was intonded, however, that members with Labour leanings should work and vote in concert on all questions affecting the workers. MAORI MEMBERS, Speaking at the close of the Native Conference at Waahi, Mr. Kaihau, M.I 1 ., said he thought that tho Native clergymen should have a free railway p:iss granted to them. They were in receipt of very small salaries as a rule, and had very wide drttricls to minister to, so that the greater part of their .small incomes was swallowed up in railway fares, lie also thought that Maori representation in I'nrliameiit should be proportional t.i llie population, and, if that were conirdod, thev would have nine members intte;iil of bur. The scheino which tho icommitteo had tonuuktc-d was a practi.

cal one, and in the event of Parliament refusing it the sanction of law they should still proceed with the scheme, and show the pakeha that they were in earliest in their endeavour to raise themselves from a stale of poverty to one of comfort and comparative affluence.

THE RECENT NATIVE CONFERENCE. The following telegram from the Prime Minister was read at the conclusion of the Native Conference at Waahi: —"Very pleased indeed at the good work you have done. Your work must not be ephemeral but lasting. To do good for your race you must stick to tho principles already agreed upon by us, which are calculated to ensure the future progress of the Maori race; settlement of the Maoris upon their own lands; disposal of surplus lands for European occupation; and the cultivation of industrial instincts in the Maori people. The Maori cannot secure any future good unless he uses his lands, disposes of what he cannot use, and works in such a way as will cultivate thrift above all."

THE NEXT ELECTION. The "New Zealand Herald" slates that Mr. Richard Bollard, of the Waikato, son of Mr. John Bollard, M.P., will be a candidate for one of the South Auckland country seats in the Opposition interest at the general election next -year. Mr. Bollard will not decide which seat ho will contest until the new boundaries are made known.

PRESS GALLERY. At tho annual meeting of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, Jlr. J. J. Grcalisii, of the "Evening Post," was elected chairman, and Mr. P. Bell, of the Dunedin "Star," vice-chairman for the ensuing year. It was ' also decided to place on record a resolution expressing appreciation of the servces rendered to the gallery by Mr. Lusty, of the Auckland "Herald," who held the position of chairman last year.

CHRIST'S COLLEGE. A petition has been presented to the Examiner's office for leave to bring in a privato Bill, tho object of which is to remove difficulties and give extended powers in connection with tho administration of the land and funds of Christ's College, Christchurch. Provision is also made in connection with the administration of any lands or funds which are now, or may be, held in trust for tho benefit of the college.

AN EXCUSABLE MISTAKE. There is a good joke going the rounds at the expense of the new member for Auckland East, Mr. Myers, who it will be recalled stood as an Independent Liberal. Upon his first appearance at tho House (so it is stated) Mr. Myers accompanied some Ministerial members to the Government Whip's room. Under the innocent belief that the apartment was for tho general uso of members, Mr. Myers, following the example of others present, hung up his hat and coat, and made,himself "quito at home." After the sitting of the House Mr._ Myers learned the actual position of affairs and (it is further stated) does not intend to trespass again.

"A VERY SERIOUS MATTER." Questioned on the subject Mr. Newman, M.P. for Manawatu, stated that whilst unwilling to encourage any movement that would discriminate between tho North Island and the South Island, he considered that tho expenditure on railways in the South Island ns compared to "tho North was a matter deserving of really serious attention. "There is no getting away from the fact" (he continued) "that in tho past the expenditure in the South has been far greater than in the North. This is partly to he accounted for by the fact that settlement in the North "has been retarded by tho Native Land policy of the Government, and in consequence there has not been the opportunity for opening up the country that exists in tho South Island. It is quite obvious now, with tho activity of settlement in the North, tho Government must for a good many years to come spend moro in tho North Island than in the South; in fact, the Government must be compelled to reverse the policy that has favoured tho South in the past, and apply it to the North in tho future. There are vast areas of good laud waiting to bo opened up, and we must watch the Government, and see that it does its duty in this respect. N It was a vast mistake for the Government to commit the country to a largo expenditure on tho Midland railway in Otago, while tho fertile lands of the North are waiting to be opened up by roads and railways; and we must combine to see that no similar mistakes are made in tho future."

MR, FISHER WON'T JOIN THE "COMBINE." The proposed "combine'" to secure justice for the North Island in the matter of railway expenditure does not find favour with Mr. P. M. B. Fisher, M.P. for Wellington Control. Interviewed on the subject, he said: "I have been watching with much interest tho movement inaugurated with a view to bringing sufficient weight to bear on tho Government to force the allocation of more money for public works in tho North Island than in tho South, but I consider it would be extremely dangerous to adopt the methods proposed by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce in bringing this about. It would mean pitting North against South, and an organisation such as that proposed in this part of the Dominion would bo immediately followed by the creation of n similar organisation in the South. It would lead tu bitterness, strife and turmoil, and there is no telling where it will end. By all means let the Chambers of Commerce and other local bodies bring their rociuiromonis under the notice of their representatives; but at the same, time let it he. done in a fair and reasonable way. Tho Horn- of the House is tho place for members to state the claims of their districts and it should be possible for them to do so without having to resort to any such organisation as that proposed. I am absolutely against it."

TRAMWAY EMPLOYEES. Local members of Parliament—Messrs. Hcrdinan,'" Fisher, Wright, and Luke— wore waited upon yesterday by a deputation from the Tramwaymen's Union, anxious tu have certain provisions incorporated in tlie Tramways Bill, which was introduced last year by the Hon. R. Jl'Kenzio, and is to be brought forward again this sessiou. Representations were made as to the higher rate of speed at which motoTiueii, in some circiimshuiceti, are. it was said, required lo travel. It was considered that motoriuen slwuld bo examined by a Government inspector, and should 'receive certificates of competency. It was also urged that an appeal board should bo set up for tramway employees. It was arranged that a representative deputation of members of Parliament and others should wait on the Hon. f(. Jl'Kenzio with regard to tbxae matters.