OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 24 October 1918, Page 3

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S SPEECH.

(Por favour of Governmem.)

] WELLINGTON, This Day. .Parliament was opened this afternoon by His Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral, wlui delivered the following e speech: y Hon Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the 1 House of Representatives— When I addressed you on the 9th April of the present year, at the opening of last session, the position of the Allied armies on the Western Front was such as to give grave cause for anxiety. 1 In that speech, after stating that the then present moment probably marked tho crisis of the war in which the Empire had so long been engaged, I said we were still assured that the courage and endurance of our armies now tried to the uttermost, will not fail in the present, or the future. Wo have the record of the past- three years to justify that confidence. Soon after the ter- j urination of that session the strategy of j Marshal Foch, and the splendid valour j and endurance of the Allied armies j under Iris single command, changed the j course of the war from defence to continuous attack upon the enemy's positions, and thence forward victory had followed victory until there has come first- the unconditional .surrender of Bulgaria and then urgent proposals for peace from the other enemy countries; while the Allies oceup}' large parts of Belgium and France, which for 3-ears had been under the domination of Gcrmam-. In the operations on the Western Front our New Zealand division has been constantly in action and had given the Dominion renewed cause to be proud of our soldiers’ record of courage and discipline, and in the Fast also our mounted forces have taken part in the wonderful series of successes by which the Army under General Allenby’s command has driven the enemy far bo\"ond the bounds of Pnlos-

The position to-day is one of extreme tension, and there are strong reasons for believing that peace will not he long delayed, but any relaxation of efforts on our part could only have the effect of endangering our satisfaction with the Dominion’s war effort. Our enemies must be convinced that there will be no termination of the war until they submit to a just and adequate proposal for reparation, and give sufficient- guarantees against renewed attempts to ignore the law of nations and disturb the peace of the world. The Imperial War Cabinet and the Imperial War C'onjereuro, which my Prime Minister and Minister of Finance attended during the recess, together with the representatives of all the Overseas Dominions and India, mark a great development in the constitutional history of the Empire. Opportunity was thus given for the views of this Dominion, on many subjects, to be fully considered from the standpoint of the whole Empire. My two Ministers were also enabled to advance the interests of New Zealand in 1110113- important respects. Measures’ will be submitted for your consideration, granting power to local bodies to initiate hydro-electric schemes for their respective districts; for the prevention of"the aggregation of land; for the prevention of the acquisition of land in New Zealand by.persons of en.enrv origin ; for the better protection of soldiers and their wives, and dependants; for the prevention of traffic in military decorations; for the necessary preservation of New Zealand forests; and for the limitation of export of timb-

It- is intended to submit- to Parliament certain necessar3* legislation relating to the present constitution of the Legislative Council. You will also he asked to consider the subject of tho increase in the cost of living consequent on the war and to devise such remedies as 11103- he possible, in order to promote educational progress. Proposals will be submitted.

Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives—

I desire to congratulate you upon your removal into surroundings more in | accordance with the dignity and im--1 portanec of your -'deliberations, than 1110 ! rooms you have occupied since the de- ; struetion of the Parliamentary Buildings. The Public Account- and the ; Estimates, which will bo laid before : you, will afford proof tliat economy has : been, and is being, exercised in the j various departments of the State. 'Jhe \ increase in expenditure is largely duo | to the cost of the war and 'the growing i interest and sinking fund of the Domin- ( ion debt. 1 A comprehensive scheme for demobilisation and repatriation, has been prepared and will be submitted during the present session. TIOII Gcntlement of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of -Representatives — I trust that in your deliberations the ' Divine Providence may guide you to the advantage of our .Sovereign, of lus j Empire and of this Dominion.

WELLINGTON. This Day

The weather was extremely unfavourable for the opening of Parliament, which took place at 2.30 to-day. A cold southerly was blowing, which militated against anything of a speecatular nature.

i After the delivery of the Governor- | General’s Speech, both Houses adjourned till to-morrow, when formal business will ho taken.