PARLIAMENT OPENS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 201, 10 September 1937, Page 3

PARLIAMENT OPENS

Motions of Loyalty lo the Throne NEXT WEEK'S WORK

( By P— v55n'-i»'i >» I i WELLINGTON, Last Night. The House ' of Representatives and Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. and owing to the necessity for membere' taking a l'resh oath of allegiance to King George VI., the Speaker of the Lower House did not take the chair until a quorum of twenty members had been sworn when the mace was placed upon the table of the Lower House and Hon. W. E. Barnard took his seat. At 2.55 p.m. the Lower House adjourned to enable members to attend the Legislative Council for the reading of the speech from the Throne. Viscount Galway, aecompanied by hkajor A. E, Purvis, military secretary, and Lieutenant Sir Standisk O'Grady lloche, left Government House punctually at 3 o 'clock, a salute of nineteen guns being fired from Point Jemingham as the vice-regal car passed through Government House gates. Shortly after the last gun sounded the Governor's car entered Parliament grounds and when his Excellency alighted before the steps of Parliament Buildings, he was rcceived by three officers commanding the naval, military and air forces, RearAdmiral Hon. Drummond, Major-Gener-al Duigan, and Group-Captain R. A. ■ Cochrane. His Excellency then proceeded to inspect the guard of honour supplied by the Royal New Zealand Artillery commanded by Captain C. J. Duff and Lieut. B. Wicksteed. Viscount Galway then entered the Legislative Council chamber aecompanied by the commanders of the three branches of the defence forces and other officers and read the speech from the Throne to the assembled members of both HouseB. The reading of the speech occupied eighteen mniutes. The galleries were crowded for the occasion while a crowd of several hundred watched his Excellency 's arrival at Parliament Buildings from vantage points in Parliament grounds. On the eonclusion of the reading of the speech from the Throne at 2.43 p.m., the Legislative Council adjourned and members of the Lower House proceeded to their places in that chamber where the Throne gave notice to move the address-in-reply. A message was then read to the House by the Prime Minister from exKing Edward, thanking it for the loyal message of congratulation on the occasion of his accession to the throne, passed last session, Mr. Savage formally moving that the message be entered in the journals of the House. Next Mr, Savage sougkt approval ot" the House for Cabinot's action in acquiescing to the abdication of Edward and the accession of George to the throne. These formal motions as well as the Govcrnor-General's message conveying the proclamation of King George 's accession to the throne, were approved without comment and on Mr. Savage 's motion, are to be placed in the journals of the House. Mr. Savage then moved the following loyal motion to be sent to his Majesty, King George: — "We, your most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of New Zealand in Parliament assembled, respectfully beg to submit to your Majesty congratulations on your accession to the throne and on your Coronation and to assuie your Majesty of our loyal attachment to your person; and we would pray for your Majesty the glory of a reign to be distinguished by peace, prosperitv and a general advancement in the social and econoniic conditions of your subjects." Mr. Savage stated he had the privilege of attending the Coronation and added that if one spent years trying to describe the exhibition of loyalty anl affection on that occasion, one could not properly express them. He had had the opportunity of meeting their Majesties on that occasion and had the feeling he was just with friends. He never felt more at home than when he met tha King. "I repeat, it was a privilege to be there to represent New Zealand and see for oneself the great affection displayed by the peoples of all parts of the world — not only of the Empire but also the peoples of ali eountries." . The motion was seconded by Hon. A. Hamilton, leader of the Opposition, who expressed the unhounded loyalty and goodwill to their Majesties of members on his side of the House. King George had already shown himself to be a ruler of exceptional ability and had endeared himself to his people. He cvislied the King and Queen a happy and fruitful reign. The motion was carried unauimously. The Prime Minister moved that the House adjourn iinMl 2.30 to-morrow. On the motion for the adjournment Kon. A. Hamilton aslted tho Prime Minister to give some indieation of the business which would occupy thc House during the next few days. M,r. Savage replied t'/.at to-morrow the House would take the usual motions of condolonce for leglslators who had passed away and on the eonclusion of doaling with these the House would adjourn till Tuesday at 2.30 when it would coiisider the Imprest Supply Bill. The addrcss-in-reply debate would begin at 7.30 p.m. on Wednosday when tho speeches of the mover and seconder | would be taken, while on Thursday the speech of the Loader of the Opposition | in the address-in-reply debate and who- [ evor liked to follow, would be taken. j "I think that will be sufficient for the time being," added Mr. Savage amidst general laughter and tke House adjourned until 2.30 to-morrow at 4 p.m. Death duties sliow that about tbirteen tnillionaires die in Britain every 7W.