PARLIAMENT HOUSE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 75, 25 March 1912, Page 5

PARLIAMENT HOUSE.

FOUNDATION STONE OF THE NEW BUILDINGS.

LAID ON SATURDAY

(Per Press Association.)

Wellington, March 24. His Excellency the Governor laid the foundation stone of the now Parliament Buildings yesterday afternoon, a large gathering of citizens being present to witness the ceremony. After declaring the stone well and truly laid. Lord Islington reviewed the necessity for the undertaking. He dwelt on the happen'ngs in connection with the New Zealand Parliament from 1854 to the present date, displaying a thorough grip of events which have occurred within the Dominion during the intervening years. He eulogistical ly referred to Sir George Grey, JO. W. Stafford, Sir John Hall. Sir Harry Atkinson, John Ballance, Richard Scddon, and other conspicuous figures wno have been identified with c.‘ie Parliamentary history of tile Dominion. Referring to Sir Joseph Ward s retirement, he referred in complimentary terms to Ids achievements after a long and distinguished career. With regard to the future, he stated he (Lord Islington) was there as_ the re uresentative of the Crown in New Zealand, which was a partner in the constitution recognised and accepted as such at Home and abroad. As all were aware, the broadening and extending of the British constitution was gradually removing the Crown and the Crown’s representatives from the dust and heat of party controversy, which, after all, was the essence, the very blood and marrow of the party system. Under the constitution the party system, though in the minds of com: possessed of imperfections and anomalies, was a fixed and ordered method of the British Government. Ho was aware that the function of government as the world advanced in no way diminished in difficulty; rather it gradually increased and demanded men of the highest intelligence and truest balance to deal with the ever increasing difficult problems which occupy the attention cf modern governments. He hoped before many years rolled on that there would lie in kindred States a status assumed by them, a status of Imperial citizenship, so that in an effective measure all may become practical partners in the responsibilities, obligations and privileges which stand outside the purview of local government, hut winch Tiff ect the common interests of the Empire, and which can only bo satisfactorily solved by representative federal deliberations. He' exported all in New Zealand to build well and build generously. Being a young country, no one 1 living could gauge the eventful, destiny that may he reached. The national assets of the country justified the ambitious preparations of the future, S'r Joseph "Ward said that the people had had an opportunity of realising what it was to have a good man as the King’s representative; His Excellency’s advisers had received nothing hut courtesy, kindness,'and consideration at his hands. The Governor did not take a mere passing-interest in the,events of the, country, but lie loft nothing undone which made for the good of the country. In connection with the scheme they were inaugurating that day, he mentioned that ■£40,000 would bo saved the country, as the outcome of alterations made/ Hon. R. McKenzie said that not -one penny more than necessary would be spent on the building, wiiich would costYs 2d per head of population,, of ,£hp Dominion. Y?h,en;jhc whole* IniiKL ing scheme was * completed it would cost 4‘s 6d per head. ;That could not'be termed :pi extravagance. The scheme would Qbst £250,000. Cheers for. Lord Islington, Sir Joseph Ward and Lady, Ward terminated the proceedings. _ Tne stone is inscribed as follows: G.R. i I Ins stone was laid by the ri ar Hon. Lord Islington, P.C.. Governor, on -vlaroL 23 1912. k Right Hon. Sir JosT l / g art lV . p - c - K.C.M.G., D.C.L;, LL D Prune Minister. Hon. Rodenck McKenzie, Minister of Public Works. John Campbell, F.R I 8.A., architect.