The First Step to Home Rule:
King George Coming for Formal Opening London, June 7.
Brilliant weather attended—the first sitting, to-day of the Northern Parliament' at the Belfast City Hall, the entrance to which was strongly guarded by police and military.
Replying to an address from the city Corporation, the Viceroy, Viscount Fitzalan, said he earnestly hoped that the hour of peace and goodwill had arrived which would be-the forerunner of happiness and prosperity for Ireland. Then he.was escorted to the Council Chamber, where all the Unionist members were present, but the Nationalists and Sinn Feiners were absent.
Major Hugh O'Neill was unanimously elected Speaker. The members then took the oath and Sir James Craig announced the composition of his Cabinet as follows:
Home Secretary, Sir Dawson Bates.
Minister of Finance, Mr. H. M.
Pollock.
Minister of Education, Lord Londonderry.
Minister of Labour, Mr. J. M.
Andrews.
Minister of Agriculture, Mr. E.
M. Archdale.
At a luncheon given subsequently, Sir James Craig announced that the King would open the Parliament on June 22. Tt is expected that the overseas Prime Ministers will attend.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.