GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1683, 12 July 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

,THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. Friday, July 11. _ 'Tbe fonrih tension of the sixth Parliament of "New Zealand was opened by Royal Commission, r-at “the Chambers of the Legislative Council, shortly after 2 this afternoon. THE OPENING CEREMONY. The House of Representatives met at 2 ■ o’clock, and the Clerk read the resignation of Sir William Fitzherbert of his seat in the House, and requested the attendance of members 'in the Chamber of the Legislative Council, ■where the Parliament would be duly opened by the Commissioners appointed for that purpose : by his Excellency tho-Governor. The members then adjourned to the Council Chamber, where the following Commissioners were in attend ince, besides the Councillors, to . assist in the opening ceremony :—Sir William Fitzherbert, Colonel Whitmore, Major itichmond, and Sir Francis D. Bell. Sir William Fitzherbert read the Governor’s • Commission, authorising the opening of Parliament on that date for the transaction of the ■ business of tho colony. The Speaker was then proceeding to read the names of the new members of the Council, • when the Hon. JVIr Waterhouse stated that such ■ a proceeding was informal until the House had been fully and formally opened, either by his Excellency or his proclamation, before both Houses assembled. The Colonial Secretary said he would ■ bring the matter forward in another form in ■ order to comply with the law relating thereto. NEW MEMBERS. The members of the House of Representatives then returned to their own building, and the clerk (Major Campbell) proceeded to swear in • the members elected since the last session, as they were respectively introduced to him by the members of their acquaintance. The following took the oaths and their seats ■ for their respective districts : —Mr Jas. Shanks, Matanra; Mr John Studholme, Waimate; Mr David Go’die. City of Auckland West; Mr Henry Jackson, the Hutt. ELECTION OF SPEAKER. Major Campbell then invited the House to elect their Speaker, as successor to tho Hon. Sir W. Fitzherbert, who had given up that position. Sir G. Grey rose and said he had much pleasure in proposing that Mr O’Rorke be elected Speaker of this hon. House. He did not think it necessary to make many observations to' the House in moving such a resolution, ft was a pleasure to him to propose that tho office should be filled by such a gentleman, who for many years had been known to members of the House as deeply read in Parliamentary laws and usages, whilst his impartiality had at all times been beyond question. He know the respect and admiration entertained by hon. members for the gentleman he was proposing, and felt certain that what he was doing would meet with their warm approval. They would agree with him in. the conclusion that there was no man better fitted'for the position, and no one who would so readily receive the assurances of hearty co-operation and assistance of hon. members of the H ouse. [Cheers.] Major Atkinson rose to second the proposition of the hon. the Premier. He said he need only add to what they bad already heard that it was his firm conviction that there was no mem-ber-of the House more deserving of their confidence than Mr O’Rorke was, whilst all would •admit-his strict • impartiality and thorough acquaintance with tho laws and usages of the House. [Cheers.] Mr O’Robke, in acknowledging the honor conferred upon-him, said*it would be affectation on his part if he did not admit how deeply he felt the honor conferred, and bow inadequate he felt to perform the duties satisfactorily and worthily. _ A quarter of a ■century had rolled over his head since he first took part in their delihera'ions, and twenty years since he first took a seat with the hon. gentleman whose portrait adorned the walls of that chamber. Sir David Munro was then the occupant of the chair to which they had that day appointed ■ him, and whose_ equal for the office could not he paralleled in_ any Colonial Legislature. He had sat under Sir Dillon Bsll and Sir William Fitzherbert, gentlemen who shed lustre and distinction upon the office, which reminded him of tho importance due to it, and hia own unfitness for it. He felt, 1 owever, that as they were agreed upon the choice, be might with diffidence accept it, and relied upon their co-operation in the maintenance of that order which should characterise all Parliamentary proceedings. [Cheers.] He knew it was usual, in select.ng their Speaker, to choose one able to divest himself >of all shades of -politics, impartial in hia views, able to bold the scales of justice evenly balanced, and not to • wound the feelings or offend tho susceptibilities of any member. He trusted that co*operation would be extended to him_ which had been to • other occupants of the chair, and that in return he would be able to show impartiality in in his decisions and orders, for his ambition would be to attain those objects. [Cheers.] He need not say how deeply grateful he_ felt for the honor conferred upon him, and how inadequately ■be could express his thanks to them for that honor. They had conferred upon him the i highest office in their gift. They had twice selected him as their Chairman of Committees, and had now conferred upon him the tspeaker--ahip. He trusted no act of his would cause him to forfeit the confidence reposed in him that day. [Loud cheers ] , ■Mr F. Whitaker rose to congratulate the new Speaker on his attainment of the office. H« did not think it' could bo said that there was anything unusual inrthe offer of his congratulations for, although he came from the same district as Mr O’Rorke. he had never sat on the same side in polities. He attributed the honor to his merits. He had been connected with him for twenty years, and during the time he had been Chairman of -Committees no one could accuse him of acting with other than the strictest impartiality, and he [Mr Whitaker] trusted the same feelings of respect would continue to ho extended to him. [Cheers.] The House then adjourned until 2.30 on Tuesday. PAELIAMENTAKY ITEMS. [By Telegraph.] [from otjb correspondents.] WELLINGTON, July 11. Soon after 2 p m. Parliament was opened by Commission. There was a large attendance of members considering how little in the way of public business there was to attract them, but Mr O’ Korko is a general favorite, and members '-from all sides cf the House were desirous of securing hia election. The Premier looked in more robust health than he exhibited at any ••'time during the last session. During the ten minutes that the Commons were waiting after two o’clock to bo summoned -to the Upper House the members were much amused at the public manner in which the Premier made a good use of hia time to Rnrey one of lis team who had been kicking over the -,-traces in the North Island of late, by paying him that marked and public attention which only erring members need, and exhibiting that kindness and affection which is never felt for tee ninety and nine which go not astray. At the same time, a good joke was passing round as to the uncomplimentary language in which a candidate down South had declined to bargain with the Coveminent for mutual support, on tho ground that tho Government support was at feast a doubtful advantage amongst the South city electors just now. No regular caucus meetings seem to be planned before Monday, when some now absent members will bo present. Some of tho members are very indignant to find their names published this morning iu tho “ New Zealander” as prominent supporters of tho Government after they had pretty plainly pronounced their intention in tho opposite dtrection. Ton will observe that Messrs Brjco, Ollivor, and Ballanco have been counted in tho coveted majority, while tho six doubtfuls are not generally supposed to have much doubt in their own minds.

In choosing seats to-day, Mr Bryce came over from behind the Ministry and took his scat opposite to them by the side of Mr Sutton. Mr Montgomery and Mr Hobbs took the backingnp seats, Mr Ballance taking Mr Montgomery’s ■old jil .co.

It is said that Mr Goldie will propo e and Mr Shanks second the reply to the Speech, and that the Speech will be something very decided and definite even to details. There is some doubt now whether the Go . vernment will put Mr Bunny forward as their candidate for tho chairmanship of committees. _They fool uneasy and dread defeat. If they do they aro morally certain to ho defeated. Mr Seymour is not only a more eligible candidate, but popular on both sides of tho House, who all know what Bunny is. The latter is, however, . quite unabashed, and working might and main. It ia given aa a reason for tho Government supporting Mr Jackson’s candidature for tho Hath that he promised Mr Bunny his vote for the chairmanship. There is no doubt Mr Seymour will contest tho matter. The “ Chronicle” says there will ho a foreshadowing of the policy cud measures of the ■ Government on Tuesday in the vice-regal speech. There will bo a readjustment of the Representation Bill, founded partly on the basis of population, partly on grounds of go cral expediency. A new Electoral Bill will also bo introduced, providing for two -franchises only, a ratepayers’and a residential franchise, all existing franchises bang abolished. It ia probable also that an income tax will he proposed at the rate of Gd iu tho £, incomes up to JEISO being exempted. A progressive land tax will also probably form part of tho Ministerial .programme.

It ia understood that Sir Goorpo Grey will make the financial statement in about a fort- : night.