PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 April 1918, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

OPENING OF SESSION. THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S SPEECH. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, April 9. The speech of the Governor-General, delivered this afternoon, was as follows: — Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: The Imperial Government Ir.iving informed life several" governments ot the overseas Dominions and dependencies of I 11& Majesty's desire that au Imperial Conference and a meeting of the Imperial War Cabinet should be held in London during the present year, my Ministers have advised me to convene the present session of Parliament. You will he invited IP consider the proposal that my Prime Minister and Minister of Finance should represent New Zealand at the Imperial Conference and War Cabinet, and to make provision for the financial requirements of the Dominion during l.heii absence.

During the present session the legislation to be proposed by my Ministers ivill be limited to the financial exigencies of the Dominion and such other matters as demand immediate attention consequent on war conditions. A second session of Parliament will be convened later in the year for the transaction of general business, and for the consideration of such legislation as may then be considered necessary in the public interest.

The present moment probably marks the crisis of the war in which the Empire has so long been engaged. The British Empire, with our Allies, is defending civilisation and the liberties of the world against the tremendous efforts of an enemy whose victory would mean the triumph of' unscrupulous tyranny. Our own,brave soldiers stand with the" men of the Mother Country and other portions of the Empire in the line which faces the enemy on the western front, as well as on the other battlefields. We are well assured that the courage and endurance of our armies, now tried to the uttermost, will not fail in the present or the future. We have the record of the past three years to justify that confidence. I do not doubt that both branches of the legislature, speaking and acting for the whole people of the Dominion, will join with my Government in their determination that a still further effort on our part is necessary to ensure that Now Zealand shall continue to assist, to the utmost limit of our resources of men and material, the Mother Country in the righteous war in which she is engaged. •I pray that Divine Providence may guide your deliberations.

After paying a tribute to the memory of deceased members, Parliament adjourned till to-morrow. Wellington, April 19. The Government's statement about reinforcements will not be made to-day. Indications are that action will not be as extensive as many newspapers have urged. „i Bellamy's is conforming to the new licensing law, opening at 9 and closing at 0. For this to be altered a resolution of the House would be required. THE USUAL CEREMONY. Wellington, Last Night. The fourth session of the 19th Parliament was opened this afternoon 'with the usual ceremony. The weather slightly improved as the day wore on, and, before the time came for the arrival of his Excellency the Governor-General, a large concourse of people had assembled on the grounds in front of Parliament Buildings. A guard of honor of 100 men from the 36th Reinforcements march up, clad in their greatcoats and with fixed bayonets, looking particularly smart, and many favorable comments were made on their splendid appearance and the precision of their movements. The Trentham Camp band, which was also looking and playing well, was in attendance. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m., the Hon.' W- F. Carncross, acting Speaker, presiding in the absence of the Speaker, Hon. Clias. Johnston. His Excellency the Governor-General, preceded by his principal military ■ and naval officers, and accompanied by Countess Liverpool, wag announced by Black Rod a few minutes later, Among the distinguished visitors on the floor of the Council Chamber was Brigadier-General Sir Robert Anderson, president of the Defence Commission.

The speech took but a few minutes in the reading. t The Council resumed at 2.50 p.m., when messages were' received from His Excellency the Governor-General, notifying the 'death of iSir C. C. Bowen, Hons. AT Maginnity and W Morgan,- also that Major Harris's term had expired and he had been reappointedMajor Harris was introduced and sworn in, Hon 0. A C. Hardy gave notice to move the address-in-reply. The Leader of the Council (Sir Francis Bell) gave notice to move that the chair[man of committees be the actmg- | Speaker for the remainder of the session, and that the Hon. 0. Samuel be acting- | chairman of committees. The Council adjourned at 3 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30, most of the members being in their places a, few minutes later, when Black Rod appeared and summoned the people's representatives to the Legislative Council to hear the Speech from the Throne read by His Excellency the Governor-General. On returning to the Chamber, the Speaker announced that during the recess the following seats had become vacant: Grey, by the resignation of P. C Webb; Wellington North, by the resignation of the Hon. A L. Herdman; and the. Southern Maori seat by the death of C. Parata Messrs Luke and TJru, the newlyelected members fox Wellington North and Southern Maori respectively, then took the oath and were conducted to their seats by their sponsors. The Speaker announced that he had received a communication from the Commandant of the Forces stating that V. 0. Webb, tlie member for Grey, was now serving a term: of two years' imprkon-

ment for disobeying the lawful commands of his superior officer.' Leave of absence was granted to the Hon. It Heaton Rhodes on the ground of urgent public business, and to Mr Downie Stewart on the ground ot illneßs!

Dr Kewman gave notice of his intention to introduce the Tempormy Employees Bill.

Mr. Brown (Napier) gave notice of his intention to introduce the Naturalised Subjects' Franchise and the Napier High School Empowering Bills, Mr Luke gave notice that 'he would move at 1.110 next sitting day that a respectful address foe presented to His Excellency the Governor-General jn reply to the speech delivered to both Houses Mr. Massey moved the customary motion of condolence with the widow and family of the late 0. Parata, dwelling, in the course of his sympathetic speech, upon the keen delight the deceased member took in promoting the interests of his own poople, and in the cause of Empire by furthering recruiting amongst the younger members of hi 3 race. Sir Joseph Ward paid a warm tribute to the genial character of the deceased, stating that tlie seeds of the trouble which laid him low were sown by his exertionsXto help the war funds by the vigorous part ho took in the patriotic demonstration of Wellington. The leaders of the House were followed by Dr Pomaro and others, each of whom spoke in eulogistic terms of the personal characteristics and services of the late member to the Dominion. " Similar motions were passed in connection with the decease of the late Sir 0 C- Bowen, Sir H. .1. Miller, and the Bona A. T. Maginnity and W. Morgan, former members of the Legislative Council, and the late Professor Bedford, who was a former member of the House of Representatives. The House rose at 4.10 p.m.ftill 230 to-morrow, as a mark of respect to tins memories of deceased membera,