PARLIAMENT OPENED

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3657, 25 June 1927, Page 3

PARLIAMENT OPENED

FORMAL CEREMONIES. LARGE ATTENDANCE OF PUBLIC. WELLINGTON, June 23. The second session of the 22nd Parliament of New Zealand was opened by His Excellency the Governor-General (General Sir Charles Fergusson) at half-past two o’clock this afternoon. As His Excellency, accompanied by Lady Alice Fergusson and suite, left Government House n royal salute of 19 guns was fired from the battery at Point Jermingham. Despite the dull and threatening weather, tlxere was a large crowd assembled in the Parliamentary _ minds, and as Their Excellencies arrived in front of Parliament House the National Anthem was played by tire Wellington Battalion Band and a royal salute was given by the guard of honour, consisting of two officers and 100 men from the Central Depot, Noxv Zealand corps of signallers, under Captain W. C. Ashbridge and Lieutenant W. C. Watts. In contrast with the drabness of the conditions outside the scene in the Legislative Council was full of life and colour. Long before 2.30 the floor of the chamber was occupied by practically the whole strength of the Council, while the galleries were filled to overflowing. Among those occupying seals in the main gallery were the Mayor of Wellington (Mr Troup) and Mrs Troup with consular representatives of various countries and the British Trade Commissioner and prominent citizens. On the floor of the chamber were Mrs Coates and the wives of the other Cabinet Ministers, Miss Skerrett (sister of the Chief Justice) and Mrs Swabe.y (wife of the Commodore commanding the New Zealand division of the Royal Navy). Promptly at 2.30 Lady Fergusson, attended by members of the Viceregal suite, was escorted into the chamber by the clerk of Parliament and presented to the Speaker (Sir Walter Carncross) who conducted her to a seat on the left of the Speaker’s cltair. The Speaker then presented a very handsome bouquet to Lndv Fergusson and to Mrs Coates. ARRIVAL OF GOVERNORGENERAL.

Just after 2.30 the GovernorGeneral entered the chamber with his military suite, including the G.0.C., General Young, A.D.C.'s and members of the headquarters staff. His Excellency took the Speaker’s chair and the Black Rod was dispatched to summon the members of the Lower House to hear the speech from the throne read. They arrived headed by the Speaker (Sir Charles Statham) who, attended by the Clerk of the House and the Sergeant-at-Arms, the Prime Minister and tire other Ministers, followed and after them came l he members who seated themselves without regard to party affiliations. Sir Francis Bell, Leader of the Council, then handed a copy of the Speech to the Governor-General who read it in a clear voice which was plainly audible in all parts of the chamber. The reading occupied Id minutes.’ The Vice-regal party filed out and the ceremonial opening of the session was over.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Legislative Coimci] met at 3 p.ui. for tire dispatch of business. A formal announcement was made of the appointment to the Council oi Sir James Allen who was sworn in and gave notice of his intention to move the Address-in-Reply on Tuesday next. Sir Francis Bell, Leader of lire Council, gave notice that he would ask the Council to-morrow to pass motions of condolence with the relatives of tiro late Hons. Sir J. Carroll and 1). If. Guthrie. He said the Council would meet on Tuesday, when the Address-in-Replv debate would be commenced. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. When the House of Representatives resumed at 2.55.p.in. the Prime Minister intimated that only formal business would he taken. Mr Fraser (Wellington Central) gave notice to ask the Government if they would. this session introduce a Right to Work Bill and make provision for unemployment allowance. Mr‘Mason (Napier) gave notice o! his intention to move on- Tuesday next the Address-in-Repl.v. Mr Holland (Buller) gave notice ot his intention to move an amendment to the Address-in-Reply. Mr Forbes (Hnrunui) gave notice of his intention to ask the Government whether they would have an investigation made into the economic position oi the small farmer with the view to giving him some relief in his present difficult position. Mr Fraser (Wellington Central) gave notice of his intention to ask the Minister of Pensions whether lie would this session introduce a scheme of general pensions which he had had under consideration for so many years.

Mr Savage (Auckland West) gave notice of his intention to ask the Government whether they would this session make provision for pensions for orphans. Leave of absence was granted to Mr McMillan (Tauranga) on account of illness and to Sir A. T. Ngata on urgent public business. The Prime. Minister moved the first reading of the Expiring Laws Amendment Bill which was agreed to and the House rose at 3.12 till 2.30 to-morrow.