NEW PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 228, 25 March 1912, Page 5

NEW PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

THE FOUNDATION STONE CEREMONY. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. His Excellency the Governor laid the foundation stone of the new 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 happenings 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 eulogistically referred "to Sir Geo. Grey, E. W. Stafford, Sir John Hall, Sir Harry Atkinson, John Ballance, Richard Seddon, and other conspicuous figures who have been identified with the Parliamentary history of the Dominion.

Referring to Sir Joseph Ward's retirement, lie referred in complimentary terms to his achievements after a long and distinguished career. With regard to the future, he stated he (Lord' Islington) was there as the representative of the Crown in New Zealand, which was a partner in the constitution recognised ifnd aqcepted 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 some possessed of imperfections and anomalies, was a fixed and ordered method of the British Government. He 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 of modern governments. He hoped before many years rolled on that there would be 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, but which affect the common interests of the Empire, and which can only be satisfactorily solved by representative federal deliberations. He exhorted all in New Zealand to build well and build generously. Being a young country 110 one living could guage the eventful destiny that may be reached. The national assets of the country justified the ambitious preparations 'for the future. Sir 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 but courtesy, kindness and consideration at his hands. The Governor did not take a mere passing interest in the events of the country, but he left 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 be saved the country as the outsome of alterations made. Hon. R, McKenzie said that not one penny more than necessary would be spent on the building, which would cost & 2d per head of population of the Dominion. When the whole building scheme was completed it would cost 4s fid per head. That could not be termed an extravagance. The scheme would cost £250,000. Cheers for Lord Islington. Sir Joseph JWard and Lady Ward terminated the The stone is inscribed as follows: "•G.R. This stone was laid by the Bight Hon. Lord Islington, P. 0., K.C.M.G., D.5.0., Governor, on March 23, 1012. Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, Bart, P.C.. D.C.L.. L.L.D,, Prime Minister. Hon. Roderick McKenzie, Minister of Public Works. John Campbell, P.R.1.. 8.A., architect.