OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3880, 6 December 1928, Page 3

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

SIR CHARLES STATHAM REELECTED SPEAKER. The lirst session of the twentythird Parliament of New Zealand — an extraordinary session—was opened by Commission on Tuesday afternoon. Attesting the exceptional public interest in the political situation were the crowded public galleries of the House of Representatives, where many people had to stand to witness the formalities of the occasion. Following the formal opening, members were sworn-in, and the Hon. Sir Charles Statham was re-elected to the Speakership. leney the Governor-General will deliver the Speech from the Throne, and the Address-in-Reply debate in the House of Representatives will* it is expected, commence to-mor-row afternoon. AN UNUSUAL INCIDENT. One of the incidents of the opening of Parliament on Tuesday was the preference by two members — Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central), and Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) —for making an affirmation instead of taking the oath, during the swearing-in ceremony.

The Clerk of the House, who was responsible for the swearing-in of members, reserved the “affirmations” until the end of the list. This course was objected to by Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton), on the ground thst the members should take the oath or affirmation in alphabetical order. As a protest, Mr. Mel Combs absented himself but took the oath at yesterday’s sitting. LABOUR CAUCUS.

The Labour Party concluded its caucus on Tuesday. Nothing was revealed indicating _tlie line of action the Labour-Socialists intend to follow during the session, or the attitude the party will adopt towards a United Government. The election of officers resulted in the return of the outgoing officers, who, it was reported, were “enthusiastically re-elected.” The officers arc: Chairman and Leader of the party, Mr. H. E. Holland; vice-chairman and deputy-leader, Mr. M. J. Savage; secretary, Mr. P. Fraser; whips, Messrs E. J. Howard and D. G. Sullivan. The only addition is that Mr. W. E. Barnard (Napier), who has been elected assistant-se-cretary. The caucus carried a resolution of sympathy with the King, in his illness, and expressed hopes for his early recovery. SPEECH FROM THE THRONE. With traditional ceremonial the Speech from the Throne was delivered to the first session of the twenty-third Parliament of New Zealand by His Excellency the Go-vernor-General yesterday.

The Speech from the Throne was read by His Excellency the Gover-nor-General in the Legislative Council in the presence of members Of both Houses of the Legislature. The Speech was couched in the following terms: — “Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, — “The illness of the King has created and still causes grave anxiety in every part of his Empire, I am confident that you join with me in earnest hope that His Majesty may be speedily restored to complete health and strength. “In accordance with the advice of my Ministers that immediate opportunity should be afforded to the twenty-third Parliament of the Dominion to express approval or otherwise of their Administration I have convened your first session to ho held at the earliest possible date 4 after the return of the writs. “It is not proposed to submit legislative measures for your consideration during your present session. Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Hosue of Representatives. — “As supply has been already granted for the period expiring on June 30 next, you will not be called upon during *your present session to consider legislation relating to finance. You will be furnished with information relating to the finances of the Dominion for the first seven months of this financial year. Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, — “I earnestly trust that under Divine Providence the happiness And well-being of the people of this Dominion may be advanced by the result of your deliberations.” The re-election of the Hon. Charles Statham as speaker of the House of Representatives was confirmed. A brief sitting of the Legislative Council was held. NO - CONFIDENCE.. AMENDMENT. An Address-in-Reply to the Governor’s speech will be moved in the House this afternoon by Mr. A. E. Ansell (Chalmers) and seconded by Mr. A. W. Hall (Hauraki). A no-confidence amendment will then ho moved by Sir Joseph Ward, who informed, tlie House yesterday that his proposal was to add to the formal motion the words “In conclusion we deem it our duty to represent to Your Excellency that Your Excellency’s advisors do not possess the confidence of this country.”

Roy Taylor, of Auc'kland, aged 17i, who admitted 14 daylight robberies from houses in the Epsom, Mt. Eden, and Remuera districts in the past few months, has been sent to Borstal for three years.