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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. [SPACIAL TO PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, October 10,

Proceedings at the Parliament Buildings yesterday afternoon were devoid of the usual interest attaching to tue occasion. The first session of the tenth Parliament of New Zealand was opened at 2 o'clock in the afternoon by Commission, the Commissioners being Sir W. Fitzherbert and the Hons. P. A. Buckley, W. H. Reynolds, and G. M. Waterhouse. At the hour named the members of tho House of Representatives were sent for, and, preceded by the Clerk of Parliament and Sergeant-at-Arms, attended in the Legislative Council. The Clerk read the commission to open Parliament. The Speaker of the Council then read a message from the Governor stating that His Excellency would, on Tuesday next, at 2 p.m., attend the Legislative Council in person and state the reasons for calling Parliament together. His Excellency requested that the House of Repre- j sentatives would at once proceed to the election of a Speaker. The Council then adjourned, and the members of the Lower House returned to the chambers, where I they were sworn in by the clerk. In the first group called up were Major Atkinson an.l Mr Ballance, who shook hands cordially when they met. Sir J. Vogel and Sir G. Grey were both in the House, and there was a total of 76 members present. The election of Speaker followed.

Election of Speaker, As was anticipated, Sir Maurice O'Rorke was re-elected Speaker without opposition, the proceedings being characterised with the greatest enthusiasm. Mr Lance said : Major Campbell,— l have been requested to perform a very agreeable task, and my only regret is thatibhasnotfallen into abler hands to°do it. Before I proceed to that task I cannot refrain from looking back on the commencement of the last Parliament, when we were assembled for the same purposes as we are assembled to-day. One of those purposes was the election of the Speaker, The choice to that office was proposed and seconded by two old and very distinguished members of the House. One erf those, I am happy to say, is present among us to-day, but the other is not, and of him I should like to say a few words. TV hen we come to reflect on the great struggles that that gentleman had in the earliest days of this colony ; when we come to think of the great and indefatigable efforts towards the foundation and colonisation of this country ; when avc look back at the long life he passed in the administration of the public affairs of this country— l am perfectly certain that every honourable member of this House will agree with me in paying the tribute to the late Mr Macandrew that he deserved well of the country. (Cheers. ) Now, every honourable member of this House is perfectly aware of the vast importance in selecting a Speaker to preside over our deliberations, because greatly upon that distinguiohed personage depends the good conduct of our deliberations in this House. I do not wish to draw any invidious comparisons between our Pailiament and the Parliaments of other countries, but I can say this, and I can say it with conscious pride, that go where you like, to countries that have representative institutions like our own, and where those representative institutions are discussed — I say go where you like you will hear the Parliament of New Zealand at all events spoken of with respect. And, Major Campbell, to my mind, a very great deal of this respect is due to the many eminent men who from time to time have sat in that chair. (Cheers. ) Now, lam giving expression to the sentiments of this House when I say that Sir George Maurice O'Rorke, whom I am now about to propose as Speaker of this House, has been a worthy successor to those eminent men. The older members of this House who have watched his strict impartiality and his great knowledge of the intricacies of the law connected with his rulings, must be convinced that he is a fit and proper person to fill this high office (cheers), and to my mind a very great deal of credit for the high position that we hold to day amongst the Parliaments of other nations is due to that gentleman's excellent ruling and the excellent example he has for many years shown us. Sir, I shall say no more than this : That it is with very sincere and heartfelt satisfaction that I have the honour to-day to propose Sir George Maurice O'Rorke to be the Speaker of this the tenth Parliament of New Zealand. Mr Pearson said that after the very excellent and eloquent speech that had just been delivered, he rose to second the nomination, and he thought they were indeed fortunate in having an hon. member so well qualified to fill the position of Speaker of that House. Those who had enjoyed the privilege and the honour of sitting under Sir Maurice O'Rorke knew perfectly well how ably he had presided over their deliberations, and ifc was owing to his efforts in no small degree that a high tone had always characterised the House of Representatives. He hod great pleasure in seconding the motion. (Cheers.) Sir Maurice O'Rorke said : Major Camp- i bell, I desire to express my obligation to the hon. member for Cheviot, Mr Lance, for the terms in which he has proposed me as Speaker of this House, and I also desire to express my thanks to the hon. member for Ashley, Mr Pearson, for the manner in which he seconded that proposal. I am deeply sensible of the honour which the House proposes to confer on me — an honour which is much enhanced by this being the fifth time the Speakership of this Honourable House has been offered to me. (Cheers.) I feel to-day as I did on the first occasion when the Speakership was offered to me. In the exercise of the duties of .that office, I am in a very great measure dependent on the confidence that this House may think proper to repose in me, and on the constant and cordial co-opera-tion it may extend to me. Without that co-operati6n my powers to control the debates of this House would be weak indeed. I approach another term of this office with as anxious a desire to discharge the duties of office with impartiality as I have ever done heretofore,and whatever my shortcomings may have been, I believe I have never been reproached with attempting to show partiality to one side or the other, I shall feel it to be my duty as far as my ability will admit to combine fairness with urbanity, to be decisive and at the same time conciliatory, and ab all times to feel that my power lies not in being over you, but being one of you. I now submit myself to the approval of this House. (Cheers. ) Sir Maurice was then escorted to the Speaker's chair by his proposer and seconder. He then said that before being installed into the office of Speaker, he desired to return his humble thanks for the honour whidh the House had been pleased to confer on him. He hoped to be able to impress on them all that in discharging the functions of his office he divested himself of all political feeling, and it would be his endeavour to hbld the scale between the contending parties with an impartial hand. Itj was true that in such an assembly as this excitement might run high, bufc he was pleased that there had been no necessity to call iuto requisition such innovations as obhe.r

Parliaments had found ifc necessary to adopt. This might be attributed to theforbearance honourable members exhibited towards one another in order to preserve the dignity of the House. Looking round him, he could not refrain from expressing the personal regret ho felt at missing many old members of sterling worth, but ho might be permitted to console and cherish himself with the hope that their successors would emulate their predecessors, and would wisely discharge the duties they "had been chosen to fulfil. Once more he had to return to the House his thanks for the high honour conferred on him. Sir J. Vogel congratulated Sir Maurice on his ro*appointment. Members enter- | tamed a high sense of his ability, integrity, and inflexible impartiality, and felt that the honour and privileges of the House would < be safe in his dealings, Ho also expressed his confidence in the future of. the colony, which was being entrusted to thohands of educated young New Zealand. It only remained for him to say that he hoped Sir Maurice O'Rorke would enjoy for many years the very highest position which the Parliament of New Zealand could confer upon him. (Cheers. ) Major Atkinson said he had had the honour of sitting under the present Speaker for many years, and he recollected that when excitement ran very high, at the time when the provinces were abolished, Sir Maurice entirely put aside his own personal views and administered practice impartially to both sides. He was ' satisfied that if the young New Zealand j party would only follow the Speaker's advice and guidance they would find New Zealand advancing for better and better. Sir Maurice O'Rorke replied : I desire to express my high appreciation for the congratulations which have been offered to me by the leaders of this House. I shall ever bear in grateful remembrance the cordiality and unanimity which have characterised the proceedings of the election of Speaker of this House of Representatives.

Statements by Party Leaders. After the Speaker had been installed Sir J. Vogel said that it was with unspeakable regret that he felt it his duty to move the adjournment of the House because the absence of his colleague, the Premier, necessitated his doing so. He was sure the regret of that absence was shared in by a large majority of members of the House, ' and by a large majority of persons throughout the colony. Of course, it would be well understood that in saying this he did not in any way wish to be thought to reilect on the gentleman who was sitting in Sir Robert's place. On Friday last the Premier placed in the hands of His Excellency the resignation of the Government, and His Excellency asked him to hold office till the appointment of a new Government. Without asking for advice, His Excellenoy sent for Major Atkinson. The hon. member had undertaken the task of forming a Government, and ib was in accordance with his wish that he (Sir Julius) now asked the House to adjourn till 7.30 0n Tuesday evening. Major Atkinson : Sir, it is true that His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to send for me and ask me to undertake the task of forming a Government. In the very peculiar circumstances of the colony I have not felt myself at liberty to undertake such a task, but I have asked His Excellency for sufficient time to consult those gentlemen who have been returned as opposed to the policy of the Stout- Vogel Government. I shall consult them shortly on the question, and I hope by Tuesday next to be in a position to make a statement as to what the intentions of that party may be. I second the motion for the adjournment of the House. The motion for adjournment was then carried, and the House rose.

TUESDAY'S SITTING. Tiie Now Members. The following members took the oath and their seats : Messrs Cadman, Duncan, Fish, Graham, Sir J. Hall, Hodgkinson, Jackson, Kelly, Levestam, McKenzie (Waihemo), O'Connor, Ormond, Pyke, Seddon and Tanner.

Speech from tbe Throne. A message was received from His Excellency the Governor, announcing his inability to attend till 2 o'clock tho following day for the purpose of declaring in person his reasons for calling Parliament together.

Ministerial Statement. The Premier (Major Atkinson) said : By permission of the House, I should say a few words. When the House last met 1 had the honour to inform it that His Excellency had been pleased to send for me to ask ire to construct a Government. I was not in. a position, as I informed the House to take any steps till I consulted the gentlemen who had been returned pledged to retrenchment and against the policy of the late Government. After consultation with that party, and that at its request, I undertook the formation of the Government. I succeeded in forming a Cabinet, the members of which are as follows : I am Premier and Colonial Treasurer, Mr Mitchelson is Minister for Public Works and is Native Minister j Mr Hiplop is Colonial Secretary j Mr Fergus is Minister of Justice and Minister for Defence j Mr Fisher is Minister for Education; Mr G. F. Richardson is Minister for Lands, Immigration and Mines. Sir F. Whitaker is in the Upper House as Attorney-General, and the Hon. Mr Stevens has taken a seat in the Legislative Council without portfolio. Sir, I propose to-morrow, after His Excellency has anI nounced his reasons for calling Parliament together, to state the course of business which the Government will ask tho House to consider. I would now move that the House do now adjourn till two o'clock tomorrow. Sir Julius Vogel: I did not catch who was the Postmaster-G eneral. The Premier : lam Postmaster-General. (Laughter.)

I Order of Business. Mr Seddon said he would like to ask the Premier whether it was his intention on the following day to move that the House do adjourn for a fortnight, as Southern steamers left early to-morrow. He might as well say they should all know, as they were all Government supporters afc present, wha* the • intentions of the Government were. Major Atkinson said that if it were for the convenience of the House he should be happy to' make a statement, especially as he had such a large number of supporters. The course which the Government proposed to ask the House to follow was this : Next day they would meet for the purpose of hearing Hie Excellency's reasons for summoning .Parliament, and Ihen the Government would give notice of the Addreaß-in-Reply for the following day, and for the necessary sessional (.committees. The committees would, be appointed on Thursday, and the Address-in-Reply be discussed. As soon as it was debated, he would move the adjournment of the House till Friday fortnight (the 28th inst.), in order to.give.him< time to prepare the Financial- Statement. He undertook to submit a Statement to the House on that date, or at the latest — he could not bind > himself on i so important a subject to a day — on the following Tuesday. He thought the House, would agree with him that in view of the large changes that the country was de.-

manding, a fortnight was only a very moderate time to perform such a task as that. ("Hear, hear.") It was the course he should ask the House 'to follow on the next day. Sir Julius Vogel said ho had every desire to afford the new Government all the privir legea they had a right to ask, and not to embarrass them in any way, but he should like to point out to the Premier that an adjournment till Friday fortnight really meant till the following Tuesday, or virtually three weeks. He hoped the hon. member would consider by to-morrow whether an adjournment till Tuesday week (25th inst.) would not suffice. If the Go- j verninent were not prepared to bring down ; the Financial Statement on that day, other business could be gone on with. It must be a short session, as Christmas was drawing near, and the arrangement he suggested would onablo privato members to get on with their bills. Mr Ormond said he was only going to point out that the course proposed by the Premier would best save time, for if the Statement were in the hands of members on the Friday night they would be prepared to debate it on the Tuesday following. Mr Seddon &aid that the last speaker had not caught what foil from tho Piemier, who had not pledged himself to bring down tho Statement on the Friday. He reminded the Houso of what had been clone by the StoutVogel Ministry in 1884, and said J not only had Major Atkinson had four months to prepare his policy of i retrenchment, but had the benefit of tho report by the Royal Commission on which to frame it. Unless the House got a pledge that the Statement would bedown by Friday fortnight, Ministers could keep them dillydallying, and Christmas would be here without anything being done. Mr Samuel had melancholy recollections of what occurred in 1884, when the House adjourned from day to day. Ho urged that Ministers should have ample time to formulate their policy, ah it would be certain to be freely criticised. Mr Pyke urged that if the Statement were not brought down till the Tuesday a whole week would be lost. Ministers should be tied to bringing it down on the Friday so that the House on Tuesday would be prepared to consider it on its merits. Major Atkinson, in reply, could only say say that nobody could be more anxious than he to have the Financial Statement brought down and the se&sion ended (laughter), but all members who know anything about the task he had been asked to perform would know that a fortnight was a very moderate demand, and that if he had asked for three weeks or a month, the Houso would not, in justice, have refused it. The parallel between now and 1884 would not hold good, for then the Government accepted all his figures, while now he had got to alter them for the last thirty years. He repeated that the time being now asked was most reasonable, and he was very much surprised at his moderation, ' If he succeeded in getting the Financial Statement down on Friday fortnight he would have accomplished a task which had never yet been accomplished in that House. He did not pledge himself to that day, but would do his utmost to get it down, and failing that lie pledged himself to the Tuesday following. Sir Julius Vogel objected to the statement going forth unchallenged that this Government came into office with le&s difficulties than the late Ministry. The motion for adjournment was then put and carried, and the House rose at 8 p m.

WEDNESDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. Private Members' Bills. A large amount of work has already been placed on the order paper of the House by private members. No fewer than thirty bills were given notice of yesterday, of which the following are of general interest : —Mr Macarthur, Bill to Amend Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1885 ; Mr Vincent Pyke, Otago Central Railway Extension and Construction Bill ; Mr Seddon, Auctioneers Bill ; Mr Ross, Otago Harbour Board Act, 1883, Amendment Bill; Mr Ballance, Municipal Corg orations Act Amendment Bill ; Major teward, Education Reserve Settlement Bill, and a Bill to Amend the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act, 1885 ; Mr Seddon, Reduction of Duty on Gold Bill ; Sir G. Grey, Bill to Regulate Admission to Persons to 'Practise in, Courts of Law, Bill to Provide for the Limitation of Votes at any Election of ■ MembersoftheHouseof Representatives, Bill to Authorise the Utilisation and Acquisition of Lands for Subdivision for Purposesof Settlements, and Bill to Define Hours of Labour within the Colony of New Zealand ; Mr Seddon, Hawkers and Pedlars BUI ; Mr Marchant, Bills to Legalise the Firing of Field Bush, and to amend the Animals' Protection Act, 1880 ; Mr .Samuel, Bill to Amend the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act, 1867; Mr Taipua, Bill to Repeal Native Land Administration Act. Many of these bills have already been before the House.

An Improper Order. I Mr Moss gave notice yesterday of his intention to move for a copy of an order notice warning railway employes not to submit grievances to members ot Pai'liament. Mr Moss has peen, a copy of the order, and when it is laid on the table of the House he intends to follow the question up by moving that it is improper to interfere with the privilegesofa constituent by representing his grievances to the member for his district, simply because he happens to be in the Government service.

Education Expenditure, ,Mr Wilson is to move that a Committee be appointed' with power to call for persons and papers' to inquire (1) if the present large expenditure on education can be reduced without unduly impairing the efficiency of the present system or closing the country schools, (2) in what direction (if any) reduction should take place,and (3) generally into the working of the system. The Committee to report thereon withm a month, and to consist, of the Hon. G. Fisher, Messrs Allen, Beetham, Loughtfey, J. S. Mackenzie, Ormond, Barrou, Walker, Dr. Fitchett and the mover.

Mooting of Protectionists. Some twenty protectionists held an informal meeting 1 yesterday, but disbanded ' without coming to any resolution. It was decided to closely *ratch the development of events, and take action when the Statement was brought down.

' ' Village Settlements. Amongst notices of motion given yesterday are several by Messrs Hobbs and R. Thompson with reference to village settlements of Auckland. Mr Hobbs asks for all correspondence on the subject, while Mi* Thompson seeks information respecting payments to John Lundon, and also payments on account of survey work done oh sections^ and expenses in connection with the location of settlers.

' Growing Strength of tUo Ministry. 1 It appears to be a growing feeling that Ministers should bo given a fair chance of jinitiating and carrying, out their policy of, j drastic retrenchment, and another member from West Coast, who , Was returned as a supporteroftheStput-Vogelparty,yeefcerday assured me that if they evolved anything like a satisfactory Statement they might) rely on his cordial sympathy and support.

A Defection. rThe only open defection from the Ministerial ranks is Mr Feldwick, who will not be content with any policy that has not protection as one of its leading points.

Vogel's Popularity Waning. That Vogel's popularity is on the Vane is undoubted, and though he was returned with probably the strongest following in the House, indications are not wanting that if the Government remains on the Treasury benches for any time, several of his former friends will' desert him.

Mitohelson's Popularity. Ifc is worthy of mention that tho first two Ministers selected by Major Atkinson were Messrs Mitchelson and G. F. Richardson. Outside opinion thoroughly confirms the Premier's judgment, these tAvo appointments being exceedingly popular. Just beforo ithe House rose there was a slight breeze between Major Atkinson and Sir Julius Vogel, bub it lasted sufficiently long to show that these two old campaigners are in capital fighting form. The ex-Treasurer tried to "draw" the Premier as to tho nature of the Speech from the throne on the following day, but Major Atkinson declined to satisfy his hon. friend's curiosity, at the same time as&iuing him that it was a nice little Speech.

Minister of Mines. It will be gratifying to thoso who are anxious to see retrenchment effected to learn that the appointment to the Mines Department is only temporary, and that at the close of the session this portfolio, which has so frequently been referred to as unnecessary, will be done away with. Owing to the re-arrangemont this department has been tacked on to Mr Richardson.

Minister of Public Works. Should Mr Mitchelson adhere fco his intention to give up tho portfolio of Public Works when the session is over, Mr Fergus, who has been most persistent in his anxiety to obtain it will be chosen in his place. Otago will then have increased strength, and further advantage in the Cabinet.

Justice and Defence, Owing to the appointment of Mr Hislop as Colonial Secretary it has been arranged that Mr Fergus shall take the Departments of Justice and .Defence. On jdderable reductions aieto be j made in defence expenditure, and, recognising this fact, Major-General Whitmore has offered to relinquish his present appointment and perform the duties of commandant 6i the forces without pay, at the same time returning to his old seat in the Legislative Council. The proposal is now under consideration of the C tbinet, and it is likely that it will be accepted.

Postmaster-General. It was arranged yesterday that Major Atkinson, who is administering the Customs and Marine "Department, should also be Post-master-General. k Mr Richardson takes the Immigration as well as Mines and Lands Department.

Only Temporary. It is understood that the present arrangement of portfolios is only temporary, and that the Cabinet w ill be remodelled during the recess.

Bible in Schools. At the Bible in schools meeting Mr Pykes resolution, which Mr Hall seconded, was as follows : — " That the clauses in Mr Pykes Public Schools' Bill of 1885 be incorporated with any bill having for its object the introduction of Bible-reading in schools. " The regulation was withdraAvn at the request of several members who promised him support if he brought in a separate measure for that object.

Municipal Legislation, Mr Goldio saw the Mayor of Wellington to-day relative to the proposed meeting of delegates from the Municipal Councils to watch legislation connected with boroughs. The Mayor promised his co-operafcion and put the Council rooms at Mr G oldie's disposal. I

Iron Manufacture. Ml 1 Chalmers, of Auckland, who is here from Nelson, is urging on the Minister of Mines and members the necessity of a bonus for the smelting of ores at a given price. The reason, I believe, is that an English syndicate would embark on the enterprise if a bonus were offered. The goldfields members will probably hold a meeting on the same subject.

Kamo-Kawaltawa Railway. Mr Hobbs intends to introduce a bill to secure the construction of a railway from Kamo to Kawakawa by a syndicate, in consideration of land grants. The distance is twenty-four miles. He proposes to secure the repeal of the Act, making the Puhi Puhi forest a reserve, and to have it set apart as an eudowmenti to the syndicate. The bush is a very valuable one. The bjll will be on the same principle as Mr Pykes dealing with the Otago central railway.

Auckland Members. A number of Auckland members been laid up with an epidemic known here as dengue fever. They are now recovering from the couvplaint. It. is the result of severe cold.

Auckland Custom-House. The Minister of Public Works informs Mr Thompson that the late Government, not having taken action re proceeding with the building of the Custom-House at Auckland, it is hiß intention to bring the matter under the notice of the Government at the first J Cabinet meeting, with a view of getting the [ work put in hand.

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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TAN18871015.2.62

Bibliographic details
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Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 224, 15 October 1887, Page 5

Word count
Tapeke kupu
4,481

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. [SPACIAL TO PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, October 10, Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 224, 15 October 1887, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. [SPACIAL TO PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, October 10, Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 224, 15 October 1887, Page 5

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