OPENING OF FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8129, 8 June 1906, Page 3

OPENING OF FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE Received 7,10 p.m. Melbourne, June 7.

Lord Northcote opened the last session of the second Federal Parliament to-day. There was a crowded attendance, including several hundred ladies. The Seddons occupied a prominent position in the gallery. The speech opened with a reference to the general prosperity throughout the Commonwealth, both trade and finance affording most encouraging evidence of the soundness of business. With reference to the Afiglo-Erench yew Hebrides agreement, the Cabinet had the advantage of conferring with the Prime Minuter of New Zealand, and a communication expressing their views concerning the protection of natives] and the preservation of Australasian interests in the group is being forwarded to the Colonial Office The future of Papna had also engaged serions attention during the recess, and proposal* for the new administration of Papua would be laid before Parliament. Meanwhile the issue of the proclamation bringing the Papna Act into force and creating New Guinea territory of the Commonwealth, had been withheld. The South Australian Government had offered the Northern a Territory to the Commonwealth on certain terms, and negotiations on the matter were proceeding. Keeived 7,10.25 p.m. Melboubkb, June 7.

The Commonwealth had also expressed its willingness to take over Norfolk Island, subject to Parliament's unction. The Navigation Bill was being revised in the light of the report of the Royal Commission and the evidence, preparatory to the conference to be (held in London. In regard to military appointments, preference in fntnre would bo given to Australian officers. The continued negotiations for preferential trade with Sonth Afnca,| New Zealand and other parts of the Empire had been advanced tentatively as far as was desirable, in view of the present position of-the Tarift Commission inquiry. It was hoped a Bill would be introduced during the session providing for the expansion of commercial relations with other peoples of British birth. A Bill for the promotion of an immigration scheme had been prepared, giving assistance to those engaged in the cultivation of the ■oil and in new industries. The Cab'nst will submit views with reference to the iiW-Stuk debtee JTh'e Estimates wonld be framed with a view to economy, and immediate attention is to be. given a Bill for the preservation of Australian industries and the repression of monopolies. A proposal to definitely determine the Capital site is to be submitted. Other Bills promised ue: One for the appointment of a fourth High Court judge, another for the protection of Australian policy holders in foreign insurance companies, also Bills dealing with luarantine, light-houses, and the appointment of a High Commissioner. Received 7,11.50 p.m.

Melbourne, June 7. In the House the Anti-Trust Bill was read a first time. To Mr Willis' inquiry if the Government would make provision to admit the products of the New Hebrides free, Mr Deakin said the Government would not submit any such provision at present, but the question of admitting produce free to Australia and New Zealand had been discussed, with Mr Seddon.

Mr Deakin said that when dealing -with Anglo-French Convention, a proposal would be made for incorporation in the Convention.

Mr Johnson gave notice of a motion in favor of free importation of the products of the New Hebrides to the Commonwealth. There was a short discussion in both Homes on the Address-in-Beply. The House adjourned till to-morrow and the Senate till Wednesday.'