JUBILEE OF RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8117, 23 May 1906, Page 3

JUBILEE OF RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT.

CELEBRATED IN NEW SOUTH - WALES. Received 22, 7.4 p.m. StDSHi, May .22. ■ Despite the unpropitious weather,

a large gathering assembled at Parliament House to mark the jubilee of b. responsible Government. > Sir H. Rawson, the Governor, in the course of his speech, read a message from the King, in which he thanked the State for its loyalty, and expressed the hope that the progress and pros-

penty that liad marked the colony I would continue in the fullest degree. Mr Cvrothers referred to the unique character of the gathering and the great beneficient change wrought by . constitutional Government. The Hon; W. McCourt, the Speaker of the Howe, struck a pessimistic note when he asked whether our progress as healthy as it looked. We did not own a sleeper of our railways, or a brick of our public buildings. They belonged to the peoplo of England, from whom we had borrowed millions. ' We had to import from abroad everything we wore, ate, or used. LEGISLATORS' VERBOSITY.

I.ABOR PROCLAIMS ITS LOYALTY. Beceived 23,1.8 a.nu Stdnby, May 22. Mr McCourt added that with regard to defence we were as bably off as we Wore' fifty years ago He mentioned that since responsible Government was {granted, seven hundred and forty-six gentlemen had been elected, and it had taken one hundred and forty-two thousand pages of Hansard to hold What they said. Sir John See paid a tribute to the pioneer legislators. Despite the croak of pessimists, the country was as pros-

pefous as ever, and was getting stronger and stronger. He believed Australia -'-.iffpaid become » strong power in the world. Mr Edden said the Labor party, which ho represented, was as loyal to the Crown as anyone in the Empire. Other speakers included cx-Chicf ..Justice Stephens, Mr Morris Ashcr, a of the Parliament of 1859, and 1 ;? the oldest living representative. After luncheon Sir Harry Rawson opened the Jubilee library. Mr Sutton presented the Addrcss-in-Reply to Governor Gipps speech in 1813.