AFFAIRS IN RUSSIA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3759, 9 March 1907, Page 3

AFFAIRS IN RUSSIA.

The Duma.

The Czar and President.

St. Petersburg, March 6

In the Duma, the members comprising the Right or Government, party consist of one-fifth of the House, the remaining four-fifths being Oppositionists. While the Right indulged in demonstrations of loyalty at the opening of the Duma, the Left and Centre remaining persistently silent.

M. Golopin, President of the Duma, warned the Left to exercise prudence, and not to obstruct the Moderates’ proposals to the extent of involving another dissolution, adding that it was the Duma’s duty to carry out the political reforms outlined in the Czar’s manifesto of October 30th, 1905. It is reported that a law has already been drafted restricting the suffrages, and reducing the Duma to a consultative assembly.

The Czar yesterday gave audience to M. Golopin, the President of the Duma. His Majesty expressed his satisfaction at the opening of the second Duma, and commented on its task, which he said would be all the more difficult owing to the numerous parties it included.

In reply to this, M. Golopin expressed the hope that the most divergent parties would unite and harmoniously strive to promote the common object—the welfare of the country.

The Czar alluded to numerous Ministerial bills about to be submitted, and said he trusted the Duma would begin legislative work.

M. Golopin replied that the members of the Duma were fully determined to justify the confidence of their sovereign. . The Czar was most gracious throughout the audience. M. Golopin was subsequently presented to the Czarina. Of the 458 members of the Duma, 442 are new. M. Golopin is a sound business man. ;