OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 196, 16 February 1912, Page 5

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

FORMAL PROCEEDINGS. MR. SPEAKER GUINNESS REELECTED. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The eighteenth Parliament of New Zealand was opened in the Legislative Council by commission at 2.30 this afternoon, the commissioners being Sir Charles Bowen, Hons. Baillie, Kelly, Mills, Jenkinson, MeGowan and McLean. The proceedings were purely formal. The Speaker announced that the Governor would to-morrow declare the cause of the assembling of Parliament. Members of the House, who had been summoned to the Council chamber, then retired to be sworn in.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. In the House members were sworn in, the only absentee Mr. T. M. Wilford, member for the Hutt, and Mayor of Wellington. The election of Speaker was then proceeded with. Mr. Hanan, in, moving that the hon. member for Grey (Sir A, Guinness) be elected Speaker, referred to the fact that Sir Arthur had been a member since 1884, and had been Speaker for three Parliaments, and also made eulogistic reference to the manner in which Parliament had been conducted under the Speakership of Sir Arthur Guinness. Mr. Myers (Auckland) seconded the motion, associating himself with the sentiments expressed by the mover, and said he was sure Sir. A. Guinness' presence in the chair would prevent all such regrettable scenes as had occurred in some'of the Australian Parliaments.

Sir Joseph Ward, Premier, congratulated the House upon its choice of a Speaker, and referred to his long experience as a Parliamentarian and his qualifications for the position. He was very glad to find the nomination was received with extreme cordiality on the opposite side of the House, and was pleased to see that the Speaker had the good will of every member of the House. Mr. Massey (Leader of the Opposition) congratulated the Speaker on his reelection. In his desire to make the New Zealand Parliament a model Parliament the Speaker would have the assistance of every member of the House. He hoped the term would be a particularly pleasing one, and that he would rule the proceedings of the House with the same purpose and dignity as in previous years. Rev. Isitt announced that he would speak on behalf of the Independent members (ironical laughter), and offered congratulations to the Speaker on his reelection.

Sir Arthur Guinness tendered his sincere thinks for the honor conferred upon him, which was the highest honor in the gift of the House. He was fully aware of the responsibilities of the office, and would to the best of his ability preserve the dignity of the House anil would also endeavor to observe due courtesy to all members without regard of friendships, personal or political. Sir. J. Ward moved the adjournment of the House at 3.30 till 2.30 p.m. on Friday. '

TO-MORROW'S PROCEEDINGS.

THE NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE.

By Telegraph—Special to News. Wellington, Last Night. The "speech from the Throne," which is due to be delivered to Parliament tomorrow afternoon, is being' looked forward to with the keenest interest. When the House resumes, after listening to the Governor's address, notice will be given of the Address-in-Re'ply, and notice will be given by Mr. Massey of his intention to propose an amendment.

The usual adjournment will then be made until Tuesday afternoon, and from the moment that Mr. Massey moves his no-confidenee motion at the conclusion of his speech, the third in the course of the debate, the proceedings will be of unusual interest.

At present it is impossible to say how long the debate will last, or when the crucial division will be taken. It will largely depend upon the attitude and the speech of the Prime Minister. So far as the Opposition is concerned its members will be ready to take the division at once, or to debate the point at issue as long as the Government wishes. The general opinion is that two days should suffice for the debate. THE INDEPENDENTS.

The Independent members were very much annoyed to-day at the action of Mr. Isitt in taking it upon himself to speak on their behalf. One of them interjected: "Why don't you speak for yourself ?". and, as the House emptied, the same member was heard to give vent to his feelings, in still iK«re forcible language.