THE COMING SESSION

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 928, 29 June 1903, Page 3

THE COMING SESSION

PARLIAMENT OPENS TO-DAY

Tho fifteenth Parliament of the colony will he opened on .Monday aiteriiooo by Commissioners appointed by Ihe Government, wires the special correspondent of the Auckland Herald.

On receiving a message from the Commissioners tho members of the House of Representatives, together with the Clerk, will go to the Legislative Council. I'here tlie Commissioners will intimate the Governor’s wish that the members of the House shall proceed to elect a Speaker. A. Commissioner, duly authorised by the Governor, will administer the oath or affirmation to members, and I hereupon the House will proceed to the election of Speaker. If there is no opposition to I lie member proposed, such member will he called to the chair without any utiestion being put He then submits himself to the House, arid being again unanimously called to the chair, tie is taken out, of ills place by the members who proposed and seconded him, and by them conducted to the chair. The member elected, standing on the upper step of l.lie dais, returns his humble acknowledgments to the House for tile great honor they have been pleased to confer on him, and

thereupon sits down in the chair. Then the mace (which before lay under the table) is laid upon the table. A member having congratulated Mr Speaker-elect, (lien moves, “ That tin's House do now adjourn,” and some other member having also congratulated Mr Speaker-elect, Ihe House accordingly, adjourns until the following day. Before the next meeting of the House Mr Speakerelect, attended by his proposer and seconder, must present himself to the Governor, lor JJis Excellency’s approbation. His Excellency, having signified his approbation oT the choice of Iho House, Mr Speaker then, on behalf of the House of Representatives, lays claim to all their privileges, and especially to freedom of .speech in debate, and to free access to His Excellency whenever occasion may require it, and that the most 'favorable constmet,iion may he put on all their proceedings. The House being again met, Mr Sneaker will report that he waited upon the Governor, who had been pleased to approve his election 'as their Speaker. On Iho day following tho opening tho House will, at the. summons of his; Excellency, again attend in the Legislative Council to hear the Governor’s speech to the Parliament, following this, formal business will he taken in both Houses. Resolutions will lie passed in connection with the deaths <M the lion. Dr Grace, the Hon. Sir George Whitmore, and the Hon. G. B. Morris. In tho House as soon as tlie formal business is disposed of, the Government will bring down an Imprest Supply Bill which will he dealt with as a matter of urgency.

THE SPEAKERSHIP. Mr Guinness’ election as Speaker of tile House is practically assured. It is stated that the lion. W. 0. Walker will have the support of the Government in connection with the election of a Speaker for the Legislative Council. This election is conducted by ballot in private, members of the press, and even tlio Hansard reporters being excluded until the final decision is arrived at.

The Speakership of the Council need not, however, he filled at once, as the retiring Speaker (Sir 11. J. Miller) holds office lor ten days after the opening of Parliament : but it is probable that this election will also lake place oil Monday. The election of the Hon. W. C. Walker, who lias just given up the portfolio or Minister of Education, 1o the Speaker’s chair in the Council, is by no means a certainty, though lie will undoubtedly have a. strong Government hacking. The Hon. Goo. McLean is mentioned as a likely opponent. Tho Speaker, who is elected in the House, will he the seventh in the history of the New Zealand Parliament, the previous Speakers having been the lions. Clifford, Munro, Bell, Fitzherbcrt, O’Rorke, Steward, and O’Rorke (twice). Sir Maurice, who now vacates iiis office, has been Speaker continuously, for the last nine years.

IMPROVEMENTS IN TIIE HOUSE A small army of carpenters, upholsterers, plumbers, and painters, has been busy furbishing up the Parliamentary Buildings. The enlarged Bill Office will he much appreciated by members, as will also be the enlarged Speaker’s gallery by friends of members. There is no longer any room for strangers on the floor of the House behind members’ _ benches, the space now being required for members because of the increase m their number.:

GOVERNMENT WHIPS. Mr O'Meara, member for Pahiatua lias been appointed one of the Coveminent Whips, and it is stated that Mr Laurenson is likely to he the other Government Whip.

THE CHAIRMANSHIP OE COMMITTEES. It is expected that Sir W. J. _Eecward will secure this position —though nothing definite on the point is yet settled.

THE AUCKLAND MEMBERS. The majority of Ihe Auckland members of Parliament arrived in Wellington to-night. Air Bollard arrived yesterday, lift Air Massey and Mr Kirkbride, w'l left Auckland on Wednesday, .Hayed overnight at New Plymouth, and joined the parly by the Rotoili this morning. Messrs Lawry, Witlicford, Rauinc, Kidd, Mander, Alison. and Harris also came right through to Wellington from New Plymouth bv rail. 'Messrs Fowlds, Houston, and Harding, and the lions. Major Harris, dropped off at wavside stations to visit friends, and will come on to Wellington to-morrow.

THE MEMBER FOR ELLESMERE. Mr Heaton Rhodes, the member for EH-snierc, arrived in Wellington yeslenlav. He was three months in England, but was mostly m Unhands of the doctors as the result of an illness contracted m the South African campaign, for which lie had to undergo a minor operation Air Rhodes is now nractically quite well again :at all events, lie is looking the -picture of health, and is _ quite ready to take up the running in the interests of his constituents. -is Rhodes is on her way South, and will he in Christchurch to-morrow morning. Alt Rhodes remains tor the opening of Parliament, rmt hopes to visit Christchurch next week. During his stay in England, he saw Air Wilford, M.H.R., who though nearly well again. is not quite out o[ tiie doctors’ luuius vet.

AN ELECTED COUNCIL. Air Ell has his BUI providing for the election of members of the Legislative Council ready for introduction to the Lower House. Tie says it is almost- certain to be earned by the people's representatives. No doubt if this is the ease it will be killed by the nominated Chamber.

'ABOLITION' OF BATOIAIDS. ]\l'r Ell is also introducing a Bill for the abolition of barmaids.