OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2541, 10 February 1923, Page 3

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

The official opening of Parliament was performed on Thursday afternoon by the Governor-General (Viscpunt Jellieoe). The ceremony was on the usual lines and was brief. The Speech delivered by His Excellency was as follows “Honourable gentlemen of the Legislative Council and gentlemen of the House of Representatives —A general election of members of the House of Representatives having been held in December last my Ministers have advised that a meeting of the General Assembly should be convened at the earliest convenient opportunity to consider and determine matters concerning the general administration of the affairs which may appear to arise for your immediate deliberations. Inasmuch as a further session will be convened in ordinary course at the usual period of this year, my Ministers do not propose to submit any legislntive measures for your consideration during your present session, with the exception of what may be necessary to postpone the date (March 31, 1923) appointed for the coining into force pf the Stamp Duties Act passed during the last session of Parliament.

“Mr Speaker, and gentlemen of the House of Representatives Supply having been already granted for a period expiring on June 30 next, you will not be called upon during your present session to deal with legislation relating to finance, but you will be glad to know that the improvement in revenue and the reduction in expenditure during the, current financial year, of which particulars will be supplied to you, enable my Ministers to anticipate a surplus on March 31 next. In accordance, therefoi’e, with the promise of nty Prime Minister, no further withdrawals of the cost of living bonus in connection with the salaries and wages of persons in the employ of the State will be required, although economy in the administration of the different departments, and in all matters where expenditure is concerned, is still essential. “Honourable gentlemen of the Legislative Council and gentlemen of the House of Representatives —I trust that under Divine Providence your deliberations may promote the progress and welfare of the Dominion.” Wellington, Yesterday. Mr Girling gave notice of his intention to move next, sitting day that, a respectful address be presented to the Governor-General in reply to His Excellency’s speech. Mr Wilford gave notice of his intention to move an amendment to the Address-in-Reply. Mr Holland, on behalf of the Labour opposition, also gave notice of his intention to move an amendment to the Address-in-E.eply. Replying to Mr Howard, the Hon. G. J. Anderson said it, was not correct that instructions had been given to reduce epidemic widows’ pensions. Replying to Mr Harris, the Hon. J. Gr. Coates said that there had been no delay nor would there be any" delay in completing the contract entered into by the Government to supply Auckland city with electric power. Replying to Mr Holland, Mr Massey said he would repeat what he had said many times —that if the financial position would permit of it the Government would not collect the third cut in public service salaries. Mi- Veitcli gave notice of his intention to introduce the Dominion State Banks Bill. Mr Wilford gave notice of his intention to introduce the Electoral | Reform and Agricultural Banks ■ Bills - L Mr Fraser gave notice of his in- , tention to introduce the Unemployed Workers and Housing Amend- ,, inent Bills. j. On Mr Massey’s motion the ExL , piling Laws Continuance Bill was ' introduced and read a first time.