OPENING OF THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 16 February 1901, Page 3

OPENING OF THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT.)

(per. press association).

The King’s Speech

London, February 15,

The opening of Parliament was a pageant and a great military display. The King and Queen wore crowns, the Princesses and Princes being grouped on either side of the throne. The Commons were summoned and came with a rush. A few were accommodated in the Chamber. The Speaker was in his state robes. Lord Halsbury administered the oath of adjuration. The King signed the declaration of transubstantiation, then donning his hat —all standing—in a clear and firm voice read the speech

“My beloved mother duringher glorious reign set an example of what monarchs should be, and my earnest desire is to walk in her footsteps.

The relations of the Powers are friend-

ly> I great regret the loss of life and treasure due to the fruitless guerilla warfare maintained by the Boer partisans, and their early submission is much to bo desired in their interest, as until submission is made it will be impossible to establish in those colonies institutions securing equal rights to all whites and protection and justice to the natives.

Proposals will be submitted to i’arlia' mont to cnclude increasing tho efficiency of tho military force of tho Empire, amendment of tho education regulations, tho voluntary sale by Irish landlords to occupying tenants, amendments and consolidation of the Factory and Workshops Act, the better administration of the lunacy laws, an amendment of the Health Act, and the Acts regarding water supply, the prevention of drunkeonesss, and the amendment of the law regarding literary copyright.

Tho War involves an inestimable increase in the estimates. The demise of the Crown renders necessary renewed provision for tho civil list to replace unreservedly at your disposal tho heditary revenues so placed by my predecessor. The proclamation of tlve Commonwealth of Australia made many manifestations of popular enthusiasm and rejoicing.

My mother assented to tho Duke of York opening the first Parliament. Though the separation of my son at present cannot ho otherwise than deeply painful, I still desire to givo effect to the Queen’s wishes. As evincing her interest and my own in all that concerns tho welfare of any subjects beyond the seas, I decided that tho visit should not bo abandoned and that it should be extended to New Zealand and Canada.

The Indian troops and tho naval forces largely contributed to the release of the Legations and tho submission of China. The prolongation of the war led mo to make a further call on tho patriotism and devotion of Canada and Australasia. I rejoice that the request mot with a prompt and loyal response. Tho King and Queen resumed their seats amid complete silence, and then left.

A slight chill prevented tho presence of the Duke of York and tho Princess Victoria.

The ceremony was brilliant and picturesque.

The King and Queen rode in great state. The coach had been unused for 40 years and was drawn by eight creamcolored horses.

The King, in a Field-Marshal’s uniform with the ribband of the Garter and a plumed hat, the Queen in an ermine cloak and a small diamond Crown, and the riband of the Garter with a veil. Immense enthusiasm was shown. They bowed continually to the stately procession from the robing room to the House of Lords.

The King wore a magnificicnt ermine and crimson robe, leading the Queen by the hand.

Every inch of the Lords was crowded. There was an immense concourse of black-clad aud black feathered Peeresses, including tho Countess Ranfurly. Ths centre of tho chamber was a mass of ermine and scarlet.

Tho Queen’s throne was a little lower than the King’s. In the Commons Sir Campbell-Banner-man blamed tho remissness of the Government in sending reinforcements to South Africa. Ho said that tho political conduct of the war was not conducive to an early and honorable settlement. He implored the Government to oftor more generous terms than unconditional surrender. He complained that the Government had a poverty-stricken political programme, and said that tho Opposition would cheerfully provide an adequate civil list. He referred to the happy inauguration of the Australian Commonwealth as a work that could fulfil a patriotic duty, also in the Yorks visiting tho colonies. Hon Mr Balfour, referring to the civil list, stated that there were no debts to make good. The rcinforccinsnts ‘'sent to South Africa exceeded Lord Kitchener’s demands. He believed that Sir Campbell Banncrraan would bo willing, immediately hostilities ceased, to confer full representative institutions on tho annexed colonies, which Government considered unsafe. Unconditional surrender meant the abandonment of the idea of independence, not the surrender of individual independence. The struggle must end in absolute and complete conquest. In tho House of Lords Lord Kimberley expressed dissatisfaction at the conduct of tho war.

Lord Salisbury said that guerillas wore always difficult to quell when backed by great enthusiasm. There was no hope of an abiding peace unless the British were masters and conquerors. Anything short of a complete triumph would bo a danger to the Colonial Empire. Tho address in reply was agreed to.