OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 3 July 1912, Page 3

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Parliament was opened at 2.30 p.m. last Thursday when the Governor's speech was delivered by His Excellency, Lord Islington, before a large number of members of the Legislature, In addressing tho Hon. Members of the Legislative Council and gentlemen of the House of Representatives, the Governor was pleased to be able to congratulate them again upon the continued prosperity of the country, the outlook was promising, and a spirit of enterprise obtained everywhere. Dur^ ing the last two months death had re* moved the Hon. James MoGowan, a member of the Legislative Council. Witnin the last few days death has removed also Sir John Logan Campbell, an ex- Minister of the Crown, one of the earliest pioneers, and a rncst respected colonist, whose beneficial gifts to the city of Auckland will ever be remembered with deep gratitude. He also mentioned the terrible calamity that occurred in the wreck of the White Star liner Titanic, so appalling in its suddenness, and so disastrous in its results. During the reces3 the Imperial Government suggested that the battle ciuiser New Zealand, instead of serving on the China station, should be attached to tho Home fleet for service in the north. It was also stated that if this weie agreed to, arrangements would be made that the New Zealand should visit the Dominion in October next to mako a three months' stay extending over Christmas in New Zealand ports before taking up her duties with the Home fleet. The speech, which was a lengthy one, included Territorial Defence; the Three Royal Commissions, inquiring into the cost of living, matters affecting the education system,' and the efficiency of the unclassified departments of the Civil Service, reports of which would be duly laid before Parliament; Land Settlement; Aids to Agricultural Prosperity ; Meteoroligical Forecasts ; Suburban Railway Fares ; Free High' er Education ; Higher Pay for Railway Servants; Homes and Fruit Farms ; Revision of Tariff; Railway Concessions ; Amendments relating to the incidence of the Land and Income Tax ; Home for Workers ; Small Fruit Farms ; Loans to Local Bodies ; Finance and Loans ; Better Transport Facilities; Members of Parliament Retiring Allowance; Trusts and Com bines ; Amendment to Arbitration Act; Cables and Wireless Stations ; Establishment of Rest Homes and Hospitals; Preferential Voting; Local Government Bill,- Amending the Defence Act in the direction of substituting military detention in camps or barracks in lieu of imprisonment; Amendments proA'iding for the limitation of land that may be disposed of by will or settlement; Provisions for the establishment of Agricultural Colleges and introduction of Dairy stock from abroad; Railway Management, New Measures for securing safety at sea ; Legislation dealing with Old Age Pensions for Women at GO years; Amending the Police Force Act; System of Medical Inspection oi School Children; Amendment to Education Act; Pro^ posals in the Direction of demilitarising the juuior Cadets ; Amendments, on the Justice of the Peace Act and in the Magistrates' Court Act; also Measures providing for seed sale control, Farmers' Co-operate Banks, and for amendments of Land Laws, Agricul • tural and Pastoral Societies Act, Nox» ious Weeds Act, etc,,

The Speech was received with close attention, expect for ocasional audible comments. There was a perceptible exclamation at the proposal that retiring allowances should be provided for veteran legislators, and again when the Governor announced legislation to restrict the working hours of Parlia-; ment.