FEDERAL PARLIAMENT OPENS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1827, 13 August 1913, Page 7

FEDERAL PARLIAMENT OPENS.

SPEAKER'S INSIGNIA RESTORED. GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAMME. EXIT THE SIGNED ARTICLE. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyrisht (Rec. August 12, 9.10 p.m.) Melbourne, August 12. The Federal Parliament; lias opened. The newly-elected Speaker, Mr. \V. JO. Johnson, appeared in the fully-restored insignia of his office—in wig, gown,- and kneo breeches—dispensed with by the Labour Government when in power. After sympathetic and appreciative references by Mr. Joseph Cook (the Federal Prime Minister), and other speakers, tire House ,carried a motion of condolence with tho relatives of tho late Sir AVilliam Lyne. Tho Prime Minister tabled the Government's programme, which foreshadows amendments of tho electoral law-, with tho view of purifying the rolls, restoring the postal vote, modifying the provisions lor absentee voting, and removing tho restrictions on tho discussion of - public questions during elections. Mr. Cook declared that the rolls had been unduly inflated, so much so, that tho number of persons on the rolls on May 31 was largely in excess of tho whole number of thoso eligible for enrolment in the Commonwealth. Tho Statement reiterates the Government's intention to abolish prefererice to unionists in tho Public Service, and to amend tho Conciliation and Arbitration Law to prohibit preference being granted by the Court to members of any organisation whose funds are directly or indirectly applicable to political purposes, and to restore the exemption of tho rural workers from tho operation of the Act. The Government intends to maintain the accepted protective policy, and revision of tho tariff is promised according to the recommendations of tho rccentlyappointed inter-State Commission. Reciprocal trade relations with the sister Dominions is receiving the earnest attention of the Government.. Touching on the question of naval defence, oml Imperial interests in tho the Government suggests the advisability of a conference with tho Imperial Government at an early date. Communications, on tho matter are now being addressed to tho Imperial Government. Other proposals include a scheme for national insurance, on a contributory basis, embracing in its benefits sickness, i accidents, maternity, widowhood, and unemployment; also, a superannuation scliems for tho Civil Service, aiul 'retiring allowances for Army and Navy; the dovelopmont of the Northern Territory; a uniform gaugo for tho main railways; a Commission to manage the Postal Department; co-opera-tion with the States in connection with questions of immigration; tho amalgamation of the Commonwealth and States' Savings Banks;, and the making over of tho public debts of tho States.