POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1063, 29 June 1912, Page 4

POLITICAL.

The second session of the 18 th Parliament opened on Thursday at 2.30 p.m., in wet weather. The brokeu-up condition of Parliament grounds, owing to the erection of the foundation for the new House ot Parliament, limited the public attendance outside, and the visitors’ galleries and tioor of the chamber had few visitors indeed.

The Governor, Lord Islington, attended by his A.D.G., and a number of Territorial officers, entered the Legislative Council Chambers punctually to the hour, and members ot the House having beeu summoned, His Excellency read a speech, which occupied 40 minutes. He then retired. The Council then met for business.

Hon. O. Samuel, who had beeu appointed to fill tfie position of Leader of the Council, vice Hon. J. McGowan, deceased, said he would not have taken office in this or any other Ministry but for the deceased. He had consented to take the position temporarily at the request of the Government. He hoped that betore long the exceptional circumstances would be so altered that the Leadership would be made permanent by the appointment to it of a Cabinet Munster holding a portfolio. Meanwhile he could not do less than the late Mr McGowan had done in acceding to the request of the Government. Sir William Steward and Messrs JJuucau aud Parala were SWOIU in. Hou Samuel moved motions of condolences with the families of the late Mr McGowan, Sir John Logan-Campbell, aud others recently deceased, which were carried.

Sir William Steward gave notice to move the Address-in-Reply.

The Council then rose,

The House met at 2.30. and was summoned to the Council to hear the Governor’s speech. On reassembling, the finding of the Judges in the Wairau election case was formally presented to the House.

Mr McCallum gave notice to move the Address-in-Reply. Mr Massey gave notice to move “a certain amendment,’ to Ad-dress-in-Reply motion. Leave ol absence tor a week was granted the Hon. J. A. Millar. Motions of condolence with deceased members and ex-members were carried, and the House adjourned out of respect.