Parliament

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 31, 26 June 1914, Page 5

Parliament

THE OPENING CERETONIES.

FORMAL BUSINESS TRANSACTED, ,';

Per Press Association. : * Wellington, Last Night. The fourth Session of the eighteenth i Urhament was opened this afternoon '! by lus Excellency Lord Liverpool, in £ ideal weather. His Kxccllenev, accom- -'* pamed by the Countess and s'taff, vat >'■ escorted from Government House by a 3 troop of the Herotaunga Mounted Rifles, < \ the B Company, Fifth Regiment, form- -I ing the guard of honor at Parliament v, House. »

[ On reaching Parliament Buildings, hit j Excellency proceeded to the Legislative ' \ Council, accompanied by 'the Block Rod v A and staff. There the members of the ' - Lower House were already, assembled, - all the available space on the floor being occupied by ladies. The bright co-tors of their dresses blending with ,- - i the brighter military uniforms, put a touch of brilliance to the spectacle. The reading of the Speech occupied ' -j twenty minutes, and as their Excellen- V cies left the building they received a salute from the bodyguard drawn up outside as they moved off, to the straint of the National Anthem.

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. At the conclusion of the ceremony the i, Council adjourned, and resumed at 8' p.m. Tho re-appointment of the Hons. John Barr and J. T. Paul was announced, and the members were sworn in. Hon. H. D. Bell, in moving the adjournment of the Council until 2.30 p.m. on Friday, offered, to Sir Charles Bowen, who had been made a KX3.M.G., the heartiest congratulations on the honor. , His remarks were endorsed by Hons. Jenkinson and Mills, ' Sir Charles Bowen expressed hit thanks for the kind way in which they had recognised his services to the OonnciL

Leavo of absence for the session was granted to Sir Henry Millor. The Council adjourned at 3.30 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. On resuming after the Speech, Mr, MdOoombs (Lyttelton) was Bworn in. The House proceeded to formal business.

Sheaves of notice's of motion and notices of questions were given. I Hon. Jas. Allen gave notice of inten- ? tion to introduce a Religious Instruction in Schools Referendum Bill. Sir Joseph Ward gave notice of a Bill to amend the ,Public Service Act. Sir Joseph Ward also moved that there be laid on the table of the House a copy of the agreement appointing a ,-* naval adviser, and all papers connected .*- therewith. \ ' Sir Joseph Ward also gave notice "of ,''J intention to ask the Premier why lie had promised that the important change * in the Constitution, embodied in the Legislative Council Reform Bill, would be introduced in the nominative Cham-

ber and not in the House. " Mr. Lee gave notice that on Tuesday 'fhe would move the Addrcss-in-Reply. ■ -' Jj Sir Joseph Ward congratulated Ms. ,' . Masscy on the honor conferred on 'him V by his enrolment as a member of the' •£ Privy Council, and wished him long *'; life and good health to carry out the • duties of his office ' ( Mr. Massey, in reply, desired to thank ' , the leader of the Opposition, tor hii # A . kindly felicitations, ""*'

Leave of absence was granted to Hon. ~': D. Buddo, Messrs Brown, E. Newman and , '/■ Payne. The Minister of Defence laid General -, Hamilton's report on s the table, and the Premier moved the first'reading of the ": Expiry Laws Continuance Bill, pro ■• forma.

The House rose at 8.40 p.m.

POLITICAL NOTES.

THE OPPOSITION VIEW.

Sir Joseph Ward, who arrived from '. f the South on Wednesday morning, informed a Times representative that even- ** ing that the Opposition had no inten- - tion of obstructing business during the "•'•) coming session, but in the huge pro- /,- gramme', outlined ,by the Government •.' 1 , thevo were majiy subjects which demand- -' V ed very careful consideration and the '•« closest enquiry. "In this respect," Sir '~t Joseph said, "the Opposition would carry ,-*j, out its duties." »«'

Making due allowance for an element '{■;< of electioneering, it is estimated that ' ;, the Address -in - Reply debate in the House of Representatives will occupy v '• about a fortnight; that is to say, eigiit y full sitting days, says the Dominion.