FEDERAL POLITICS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10664, 20 June 1912, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS

OPENING OF PARLiAMhNT THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S SPEECH. (Received Last Night, 9.4.0 o'clock. MELBOURNE, June 17. Lord Denham, Governor-General of the Commonwealth., opened the Federal Parliament to-day. The Speech referred to the prospects of a continuance of prosperity and a marked increase in immigration. Dealing with the proposed maternity grant, the Speech said thatMiniskto -v.ore unable to retl.rd the natural increase in tho Commonwealth otherwise than with tho deepest concern. The death-rate was too high. Nearly 9COO children died under the age of one year, many from preventable causes. Men and women were the best asset of the nation; hence the proposed grant. It was proposed to again ask the people to approve alterations in the Constitution, enabling Parliaments to legislate effectively against Trusts, combines, and monopolies, and extend its powers regarding industrial matters. It was announced that the Govern- ■ ment bad agreed to the request of the Admiralty to reduce the squadron by the return of H.M.S. Challenger and two firsit-olass cruisers. The Government was anxious to cheapen cable communication with the Old World, and was still urging the laying of a State-owned Atlantic cable. It was also co-operating with other parties to the Pacific cable in an agreement introducing deferral and other cheaper forms of cablegrams. Bills were promised which included a Navigation' Bill, an amendment of the Old Age Pensions Act, a Trade Marks Bill, and a Customs Bill. " The development of wireless telegraphy would be pushed on immediately.