PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1796, 29 June 1906, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

THE GOVERNOR’S BPEEOH.

(Official Mossugo )

Wellington, yeslerday. Tho first session of tho sixteenth Parliament of Now Zoaland was this day opened by tto Govornor, whon His Excellency was pleased to make tho following speech : Hon. members of tho Legislative Counoil and members of tho House of Representatives.—My pleasure at mooting yon in Parliament assembled is marred by tho death of my lato chief adviser, the Right Hon. Riohard John Soddon, who for more than thirteen years ouonpied the position of Prims Minister of this colony. His long and uninterrupted tenure of that high oilioe, unparalleled, I believe, in the annals of tho British dominions, is a most convincing proof of tho confidence roposed in him by Parliament and tbo people of New Zealand, It was, however, not in colonial affairs only that Mr Seddon

achieved a position of great and universal responsibility, for apart from the servioes he rendered to Now Zealand, bis ardent devotion to the groat oauso of unity of the Empire made him a notable figure in the domain of Imperial politios. The universal sorrow and sympathy evoked throughout the Empire show that his strenuous advooaoy of great Imperial and demooratib ideals was appreciated in other lands than your own, and it is fitting that as the King's representative in the presenoe of representatives of the people whom Mr Saddon served so faithfully and long, and in whose eetvioa he died, I should bear testimony to tho 1033 whioh has been sustained by his nDtimeiy death. At my request the Hon. William Hall-Jones undertook the formation of a Ministry whioh has now assumed office.

Gentlemen of the Honsa of Represent-

tives.—l am happy to bo able to inform you that the estimates passed last session of Parliament to cover the expenditure of tho then current fiaanoial year proved amply sufficient, and that tho year closed with a surplus of receipts over expenditure. My advisers believe that with prudent administration there is every roasou to anticipate that tho fiaanoial results of the current year will be equally satisfactory. You will bo invitsd to consider proposals having for their object tha extension of app-opriations to a suitable date.

Hon. Members of the Legislative Counoil and Gentlemen of tho Hooss of Representatives.—l oongratulate you upon the continued progress of, and strength of, the oolony’s fiaanoial position, and also npon tho substantial progress made in its ohief industries, which is shown by the continued inoresße in the volume of exports. It is my earnest desire to co operate with you in all that may promote the welfare and prosperity of New Zealand, and I trust that with the a : d of Divine Providence your labors may result in the wellbeing and happiness of the people.

LEGIBLATIVE COUNCIL,

(Per Press Asnociation.) Wellington, last night. The Council mot at 230 and the Governor’s Speech wss read, The following resolution was moved by the Attorney General : “ That the Counoil desires to place on record its high sense of tho devoted and distinguished services rendered to New Zaaland by the late Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon, R J. SeddoD, P.C., and of the loss the colony has sustained by his death, and respeotfully tenders to Mrs Seddon and her family the assurance of its sinoere sympathy wiih them in their bereavement.” Captain Bailey seoonded, and the motion was passed in Bilenoe, members standing. The Attorney General then moved,

" That this Oounoil desires to place on record its high sense of the faithful and distinguished servioes rendered to New Zealand by the late Hon. 0. Kenny, M.L.C., the late Hon. 8. Pinkerton, M.L.C., and of tbe late Job Vile, formerly a member of the House of Representatives, and of the serious loss the colony has sustained by their deaths, and respeotfully tenders to tbeir relatives the assaranoe of its sinoere sympathy with them in tbeir bereavements.”

Captain Baillie seconded, and the reso [ution was passed in si'enoe. The Coonoil adjourned at 3.30.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tbe House met at 2 30.

After tbe adjournment to the Coonoil to hear tbe Governor’s speech, tho Premier moved the same motion with regard to the late Premier as moved in the Council. He bore testimony lo the earno9t, strong reforming spirit of the late Premier. He sketched his career briefly, and eulogised his etrength, oipaoity, power, vigor, and tremendous industry. Ho deoiared that

the future historian would give him a greater piaos in history than his contemporaries have any idea, and offered the deepest sympathy to the bereaved family. Mr Masiey very feelingly subsocibed to all the Premier had said, emphasising tho fact that no differences had shaken his respect for him or diminished his conviotion that be had left a moat useful mark on tbe legislation of the country. Mr Carroll voioad the regret of the Native people. Mr R. McKenzie Bpoke for the West Coast.

Mr W, Fraser spike on behalf of the late Pn min's colleagues on the Assets Boaid Sir W. Sieward spoko with sorrow as a 11 fa’.ber of tho House.”

The same mation regarding the other losses by death during tbo recess was passed, on the motion of the Premier. Tin Government was announced as g z tied, and was congratulated by Mr Massey. The House adj jurned at 4 30 p.m,