PARLIAMENT OPENS

Chronicle (Levin), 25 June 1947, Page 7

PARLIAMENT OPENS

-Press ~ Association

MR/R. McKEEN ELECTED AS THE 0 NEW SPEAKER

By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, June 24. The 28th Parliament of New Zealand which. was opened by commission this afternoon made its first deeision when it elected Mr. R. McKeen as Speaker of the House of 'Representatives. The Commissioners compxising the Speaker of the Legislative Council (Hon. M. Fagan) and four Members* of the Council, took ' their seats , in -• the Legislative Council at 2.30 p.m. After Mr. Fagan, as Chief Commis sioner, read'the Commission 's-, authority,* he commanded the: Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod (Capfcai'n I. C. Bryan), to sjimmon Members of the House of-Representatives to the Legislative .Council Chaniber... to "jhear the compiission read. Meanwhile, the Black Rod's suminons was awaited" by Members of.. the Lower House who had assembled at the ringing "of the bells and after this summons had been delivered . with .• traditional ceremony, the Mem bers . proceeded to the .. Legislative Council Chamber. The Clerk of the Legislative Council (Mr. C. M. Bothamley), tlien read the commission and Members of Tlie House of Representatives, wefe instrueted by the .Chief Commissioner --to roturn t'o their b.wn chamber .to elect a Speaker and to present him 'at naon tomorrow. for; approval of his Exceilency- thb GoVernor-General. . - ,■ When "Members of "the " House of Ro*pr.ei^entatives returned to their owu* chamber they were swbrn in by the. Clerk- of the House (Mr. N. H. Dollif mdre) and the election of, a Speaker chen proeeeded. ; A motion that Mr. McKeen be chosen was moved by the acting seniqr government whip (Mr. R.r M. :Macfarlane), seconded by the acting junior government whip (Mr. P. G. Connolly). Both whips made brief speeehes in support of the nomination of -. Mr. McKeen and they escorted the Speakerelect to the upper steps of the dais from where Mr. McKeeu made a short acknowledgement of his election to Members-.of Ahe.- House. When' Mr. McKeen .was seated the mace was placed on the table by the Sergeant-at-Arms. (Group Captain A. 3. Manson). " " Mr. .McKeen then received the congraturatioils of the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) and the Leader of the Oppo3itiqn- (Mr. S. G. Holland). Mr. Fraser said amid some laughter that for personal and pplitical reasons he wished there might have been no change in the speakership but through the fortunes of political warfare Mr. Schramm was no longer with them. A' good choice had been made, however, in a succe'ssor to Mr. Schramm, Mr. Barnard and former g'reat figures in the political history of the country, who had ruled over and conducted eificiently the business of the House. The responsibility of Mister Speaker was great. He was custodian of the rights and privileges of members of this representative body. Most important of all Mister Speaker would claim from the Governor-General,' the privileges of Ihe House and more particularly freedom of speech, a freedom won by the Mother of Parliamhnts only after a great struggle. He believed Mr. McKeen would live up to the great example Bet by his predeeessors in his offi.ce. Mr. Holland, on behalf of the Opposition, extended congratulations and best wishes to Mr. McKeen on the great honour conferred on him. Tmpartiality was one of the essentials required ot a Speaker and commonsense and a large fund of humour were other qualities. He hoped Mister Speaker would have a very happy and interesting time in office. "I am sure you will," continued Mr. Holland. "If there is anything we can do at any time ' ' Mr. Fraser: To make it more interesting? (Laughter.) Mr. Holland (laughing) : If there is anything we can do at any time to mhke it more interesting we shall be pleased to do so. Members all joined in the laughter and when it subsided Mr: McKeen returned his thanks for the congratulations he had received. The Prime Minister moved the adjournment and the House rose at 3.35 p.m. Absentees from the House were Messrs. Bodkin and Richards. Public interest in the proeeedings in the House of Representatives could be iudged by the well-filled galleries where women predominated. The galleiies also contained a fair percentage oi Maori people. The only Members of Parliament t.o take the oath of affirmation of allegiance by declaration, were Messrs. Anderton and Langstone.