Federal Parliament.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 10 May 1901, Page 3

Federal Parliament.

Brilliant Opening Ceremony.

Melbourne) May 9. The coping stono of United Australia was laid to-day by tho opening of its Parliament by the Duko of Cornwall and York. The weather wa3 fine and clear with a bitter boisterous wind. From an early hour great crowds lined tho streets to witness the Eoyal procession from Government House to Exhibition Buildings. Tho streets were lined with troops; thoso from New Zealand occupying a section between King and Swanston streets. The procession consisted of two escorts with captains and oscorfc for tho GovernorGeneral who preceded thelioyal cquippage.

The Royal Party. Shortly after oleven the Duke and Duchess, occupying the carriage expressly sent to Australia by the King, emerged from Government House gates .9nd drove through the streets of the city amid cheers to tho Exhibition Buildings, where the ceremony of The Opening of the First Parliament of United Australia took place. It can scarcely bo termed the most fitting place for such an important Occasion ; it lacks the solidity and grandeur which ono associates with the Temple of Lawmakers ; it is more of the character of a House of Cards, being fragile in appearance. Yet for the purpose of spectacular effect and its ability to accomodate a huge audience it is in its favour. To have opened Parliament in the State Legislature, which is set apart from tho more serious labours of the Federal Parliament would have been to rob the occasion of much of its glitter. No vast assemblage could have gathered there, and it is appropriate that the building which twenty years ago welcomed the young midshipman of the Bacchante should now greet tho Heir to tho British Throne. "What is lacking in stateliness is made up for in some measure by tho beautiful decorations of the fabric. The Eoyal Dais. Under the groat dome is situated the Eoyal dais, The dome itself is a marvel of graduated colour, looking upwards tho eye travels from deep blue and golden drab tints to delineate blue in a bed of gold shades, the whole colour scheme being without a jarring note. On four pendantives are beautifully painted figures of Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Hercules, typical of beauty, love, war, and strength. On four spangles over arches supporting the dome are all allegorical lunettes representing the Federation of Government, Arts as applied to Peace, and Arts as applied to War. The figures of all the allegories rest en clouds through which are star gleams in various phases of morn, eve and noon, the treatment being all academic, spacious and broad. Facing the dais in the north lunette of Arts as applied to Peace and show 3 Minerva with her lion of war asleep at her feet, while Literature, Painting, tho Arts of Husbandry and Agriculture aro grouped as sylphs around her. Over tho dais on the south side, Minerva rides her chariot through storm clouds and flaring forth with her attendant Amazons to battle, and picturing thus the Arts applied to War. Over the eastern nave sits Government between the figures of Law and Order. Over the Western nave figures Britannia enthroned, above her shield the Union Jack ; she welcomes the six federated States as virgins surrounding her with their shields which arc blazoned with their several State coats of arms. Ou eight panels of four piers are two coupled schemes, one is that of the seasons Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, the other included two pairs, Night and Morning, Justice and Truth, the half draped figures by which these are respectively typified floating in mid-air among finely balanced phases of cloudland. These very excellent works are of real decorative art, beautiful alike in colour, drawing, plasticity, pose and colour of the scheme. The main hall is ia strict harmony with the colouring of tho dome. The roof runs up through transpart amber turquoise, tho sky supporting piilars in golden brown. f

The avenue from tho Southern door through which the Royal party approached the dais is carpeted in royal crimson bordered throughout by banks of living flowers and ferns surmounted by a dado of Eoyal blue velvet pleted with upright panel of scrimson silk dado, frieze of white enamel, mouldings of panelled gold satin and the filling of the wall draped flat with vieux rose silk adorned with the Royal Arms in a florid setting. Tho ample frieze abovo is of a rich plum coloured plush with dainty festoons of real white roses falling over it like sculptured stone in architecture. Tho vestibule doors are of dead white ivory enamel panelled with rose plush of little higher tone than the friez3 on the •dais. The Royal red carpet was draped with gold and neutral green, crimson fait covered the low gallery which rises towards the ceiling for seats for the Stato Governors, Eoyal and Vice-Regal suites. A large orchestra occupied the great platform opposite and to the left .of the Royal dais.

Prior to the advent of the Royal party tho

Clerk of Parliament read the Proclamation. constituting the Parliament to members of the Senate. A similar ceremony was

performed in the House of Representatives which occupied aa annexe. Long prior to the commencement oi these initial proceedings the great building was filled to the utmost capacity and a wonderful sight presented itself. Rising in gradual slope from the floor of the main hall opposite to the Royal dais, the northern transept Was packed with p?oplo, including Members' famiiies of various State Legislatures and officials with here and there a dash of colour in the shape of military officers, judges, consuls and Church dignitaries of every sect, Immediately under the Royal position sat members of tho Senate with room for members of tho Houso of Representatives when tho time came for their presence being desired from tho other Houso.

Distinguished Visitors. On the dais to the left of the Royal party were naval officers and the staff who came out by the Ophfr. On the right sat the Lieut-Governors of the several States with their staffs and Admiral Beaumont and his staff. Immediately behind these again were members of the Press representing the various States and New Zeal md. Lord Hopetoun. At noon Lord Hopetoun arrived and a

few minutes later a fanfare from the £ Heralds at the southern entrance announced tho arrival of the Duke and Duchess. As the group descouded to the dias along tbo beautiful vestibule the seene wae magaificient, the rich effecte produced by tho gorgeous uniforms of high artillery and naval officers being most impressive. The Duke and Duchess advanced to the dais accompanied by Lord and Lady Hopetoun and formal pi occedings then commenced. Senators Summoned. The Usher of tho Black R,d summoned the representative of the Senate. When they arrived after somo delay two verses

of tho Old Hundreth was sung after which Lord Hopctoun read prayers on behalf of the King, Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, the people of the Commonwealth and Federal Parliament, Jfo then recited the Lord's Prayer and pronounced tho Benedition,, Sectarian Jealousies.

Tho reason it fell on Lord Hopetoun's lot to carry out this religious ceremony was owing to tho heads of the leading denominations failing to agree amongst themselves as to whom of their number should perform tho duty. The GovernorGeneral therefore elected to conduct the services to avoid friction. The Koyal Address.

After the reading of the Letters Patent by the Clerk of the Parliaments the Duke addressed both Houses. He said it was the desire of his beloved and deeply lamented grandmother to mark the importance of opening the first Parliament and to manifest her special interest in all that concerned the welfare of her loyal subjects in Australia by granting him a special commission to open tho first session. That commission had been duly signed before tho sad event had occurred which plunged the Empire into mourning and the King, his dear father, fully sharing her late Majesty's wishos had given effect to them. Although His Majesty had stated on the occasion of the opening of his first Parliament that tho separation from his son at such at time would not be otherwise than deeply painful to him, His Majesty had been pleased to consent to his separation, moved by his sense of the loyalty and devotion which had prompted the generous aid afforded by all the Colonies in the South African war, both in its earliest and most recent stages, and of the splendid bravery of the colonial troops. It was also His Majesty's wish to acknowledge the readiness with which the slaps of the special Australasian squadron had been placed at his disposal for service in China and the valuable assistance rendered there by the naval contingents of the several colonies. J [is Majesty further desired in this way to testify his heartfelt gratitude for the warm sympathy extended by every part of his dominions to himself and family in the irreparable loss they had sustained by the death of his beloved mother. J lis Majesty had watched with deepest interest the social and material progress made by his people in Australia, he had seen with thankfulness and heartfelt satisfaction the completion of that political union of which this Parliament was the embodiment. The King was satisfied that the wisdom and patriotism which characterised the exercise of the wide powers of self-govermnet hitherto enjoyed by the colonies would continue to be displayed in the exercise of still wider powers with which United Australia had been endowed. His Majesty felt assured that the enjoyment of those powers would, if possible, enhanco that loyalty and devotion to the Throne and Empire of which the people of Australia had already given such signal proofs. It was His Majesty's earnest prayer that the Unioa so happily achieved might under Goa's blessing prove the instrument for still farther promoting the welfare and advancement of his subjoWs in Australia, and for strengthing his Empire.

The Message from the King. " Gentlemen of tho Senate and House of Kepresentative.'," concluded tho Duke, " It affords me much pleasure to convey to you this messago from the King and I now, in his name and on his behalf, declare this Parliament open." Melbourne, May 9.

The Governor-General informed the members of the Senate and House that the Duke desired him to acquaint them that as soon as the President and Speaker were elected, he and Lord Hopctoun would declare to them the causes of Parliament being called. The King's Telegram

The following cable was received from the King:— "My thoughts are with you on the day of the important ceremony. Most fervently do I wish Australia prosperity and happiness."

Swearing in Members. The members of the Federal Parliament were then sworn in by the GovernorGeneral. The orchestra played the Hallelujah chorus. The latter had an inspiraling effect.

Royalties and what they Wore. The Royalties withdrew amidst a fanfare of trumpets. Tho Battery of the Artillery at Carlton Gardens fired a Royal salute when Parliament was declared open. The Duke was dressed in an Admiral's uniform and the Duchess wore black with a white sash of the Victorian order. First Sitting. In the afternoon the first sitting of the Federal Parliament was held at the State Parliamentary buildings. Hon. Mr Holder was elected Speaker unopposed. A contest took place for the Presidency of the Senate, with the following result:—Baker 21, Sargood 12, Zeal 3.

Both Houses adjourned till to-morrow for the Governor's speech The London Times. Londov, May 9.

The Times says that tho opening of tho Federal Parliament is one of tho chief constitutional incidents in history. The development of the Commonwealth would be watched with prido and hope. The Times add 3 that autonomy and Imperialism in partnership are compatible and mutually helpful. The Duke's reply to the King. Melbourne. This Day. At the conclusion of tho opening ceremony tho Duke replied as follows to the King's cable : " I have just read your message to the first Commonwealth Parliament, which I have just opened. I have also read your kindly worded telegram which was received with immense enthusiasm by your loving s" ejects in Australia. Tho opening of Parliament was splendid. Twelve thousand people filled the great hall." In other parts of the Colony. Bbisbane, May 9.

Preparations for tho Royal visit are well in hand. Venetian masts are erected along tho route. The other decorations, which will be on an elaborate scale, aro being pushed forward. Sydney, This Day.

There was a considerable display of bunting in the city and country to-day in honor of the opening of the Federal Parliament.

Brisbane, This Day

Simultaneous with the opening of the Federal Parliament a salute of 21 guns was fired. The Town Hall bells rung and the Union Jack was hoisted in the city. The country was given the signal and at night bonfires were lighted. The Presbyterian Assembly at the hour fixed for the opening of the Commonwealth Parliament offered a prayer for Divine Power to guide the deliberations of the Federal Legislature. A prominent feature of the decorations will be an immense four-sided arch composed of wool and other products of the the State.