PARLIAMENT

Southland Times, Issue 18859, 26 June 1920, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY. BRILLIANT SCENE IN THE CHAMBER. s (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 25. Parliament was opened this afternoon with the old-time formality, but miserably | ; cold weather prevailed, and the proceedings j | outside Parliament were shorn of the customary bright display in consequence, j though inside there was quite a brilliant as- 1 rurnblage and the full forms were observed. ; The guard of Honour was provided by the Nrwlmvn Cadet o , and the usual salute wan I red by the Royal Garrison Artillery at Mount Cook. The Governor-General and 'Lady Liverpool passed up . the steps and through the main hall, which was decorated with flags, into the lobby, and thence to tae Legislative Council chamber, which was sl-o decked with bunting. The occasion was notable in that it was the last on which Parliament would be operated by Lord Liverpool, whose term of office has seen New Zealand raised from the -itu? of a colony to that of a dominion, end that dominion’s baptism through the fre of the Great War into the family of tuitions, having east off the last remnants of the swaddling clothes of the colonising stage, t:il now it stands forth in the full toga of world citizenship. The great moment came when the Gover-nor-General. in Windsor uniform, took, hi.s seat and began to read his S)>cccli to the rsrcnibled members of the Upper House and (ho representatives of the people. It i mrked not simply the opening of a new Parliament, but as the momentous passages t f the Speech indicated, the commencement rf a new era in the work of reconstruction ; in! rehabilitation after the ravages of’war, which, though not experienced in their dread, horror in this favoured land, have yet left indelible traces in sorrowing homes, maimed ' nd Mdlei-mg men, and interrupted trade rnd industry. Though not the first, opening ; ifv pence had conic upon the warring nation- (last year's session followed too clost’y upon the heels of that event for a proper perspective of its effects to be oiitaiired) it was a notable occasion, and the artung inside the chamber was worthy of it. .'he guns were now .‘■•lent save those that boomed forth in salute to tho Sovereign’s teprc-'entaiivc as he drove to Parliament, hut there was the usual military suite in , Uendance, though the sober khaki uniI mins do not make a great display. The ralicrics, especially the ladies’ gallery were lull, the latter making a broad show. The Councillors’ attenuated ranks made the floor of the chamber look cold and forlorn, but this effect was remedied when the members from the “other place'' tiled in later. As II is Excellency came in exactly at 2.30, the appointed hour, the assembly stood up to greet him. A deep silence fell upon the chamber, and this was all the more impressive by contrast with the loud buzz of conversations that had prevailed tine moment bel'nre- His Excellency's arrival. Pnecdcd by Ids staff His Excellency advanced to the Speaker's chair, leading Lady Liverpool by the hand. On reaching the dais His Excellency turned and bowed to lhe assembly, and seated himself in (he Speaker’s chair, Lady Liverpool being seated on his left, and, in obedience to his, “pray bn sealed,'' all present also sat down. Black Tod was at once sent to the House ol Represent at i ves to summon the Speaker ana members. Presently the Speaker appeared :t. the Bar with Black Rod, the Sergeant-av Arms, and the Clerk of the House. Then .■nine the members, in the front division of .vhom wan? the Prime Minister and Ids col-a-agues. The assembly being now fftlly constituted, Sir Francis Bell, Leader of the Legislative Council, stepped forward, bowed, and presented a copy of the Speech to the GovernorGeneral, who, putting on his hat and remrimn;: seated, read the document. The Speech took twenty minutes in delivery, and on its conclusion the members of the Lower House returned to their chamber. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. AMENDMENTS TO ADDRESS.IN.REPLY. , NO-CONFIDENCE AND ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE. The House resumed tit .3 o'clock, and after several members had been sworn in, the Speaker’s inquiry if there were any petitions or notices of motion produced a sheaf of requests for relief and inquiries for information on a wide range of subjects. MR F. HOCKLEY (Rotorua) gave notice that he would on the next silting day move that a respectful address be presented to the Governor-General in reply to his Speech. THE HON. W. D. S. MACDONALD (Leader of the Opposition! gave notice that he would move an amendment to the ail-dre-s to the effect that the Government does not possess the confidence of the country. MR G. K. STATH.VM (Dunedin Central) gate notice to move ;n amendment, (o the address to the etTect. that the House feels that the Government ought to be selected by the members of the House, or at least by the dominant party in the House, Leave ’of absence for the session was granted to (he. Hon. A. M. Myers. Leave was also granted for short periods to Messrs V. T. Jennings, Tau Ilenare, T. 11. Vv’ilford, and J. Vigor Brown. The PREMIER moved the first reading oi the Expiry J.nw Continuance Bill. The House adjourned at 3.40 till Tues day. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 7'he Legislative Council sat at 3.5 p.m. Leave of absence for the, session was granted the Hon. G. Carson. The Council adjourned at 3.7 p.m.