PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 June 1920, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

the opening ceremony. . GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S SPEECH. AN IMPRESSIVE OCCASION'. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Parliament opened this afternoon with the old time formality, but miserably cold, wet weather prevailed, and the proceedings outside Parliament were shorn of the customary bright display in eonsequence, though inside there waa quite a brilliant assemblage, and the full forms were observed. The guard of honor was provided by the Newtown Cadets and the usual salute was fired by the Royal Garrison Artillery at Mount Cook. The GgvernorGeneral and Lady Liverpool passed up the steps and through the main hall, which was decorated with flags, into the lobby, and thence to the Legislative Coimcil Chamber, which was also decked witli bunting. The occasion was notable in that it was the last on which Parliament was opened by Lord Liverpool, whose term of office has seen Now Zealand raisejl from the status of a Colony to a Dominion, and the Dominion's baptism through the fire of a great war into the family of nations, having cast off its last remnants of the swaddling clothes of its colonising stage, till now it ' stands forth in the full toga of world citizenship. The great moment came when the Governor-General, »k his Windsor uniform, took his seat and began to read his Speech to the assembled members of the Upper House and the representatives of the people. It marked not simply the opening of a new Parliament but, as the momentous passages of the Speech indicated, the commencement of a new era in the work of reconstruction and rehabilition after the ravages of war, which, though not experienced in all their dread horror in this favored land, have yet left indelible traces in sorrowing homes, maimed and suffering men, and interrupted trade and industry. ■' A STRIKING SCENE, e Though it was not the first opening of Parliament after peace had come upon the warring nations (last year's session .followed too closely upon the heels of that event for a proper perspective of its effect to be obtained) it was a notable occasion, and the setting inside the Chamber was worthy of its guns, now silent, save those that boomed forth iji salute to the Sovereign's, representative as lie drove to Parliament. There was the usual military suite in attendance, though sober khaki uniforms do npt make a grea.t display. The galleries, especially that for ladies, were full, the latter making a brave 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" filed in later. As His Excellency came in, exactly at 2.30, the appointed time, the assembly stood up to greet him. Deep silence fell upon the chamber, and this was all the more impressive by contrast with tlie loud buzz of conversation that had prevailed the moment before. His Excellency on arrival, preceded by his staff, advanced to the Speaker's chair, leading Lady Liverpool bv the hand. On reaching the dias. His ■Excellency turned, bowed to the assembly, and seated himself in tlie speaker's chair, Lady Liverpool being seated on his left, and, in obedience to his "pray be seated," all present also sat down. The Black Rod was at once sent to the House of Representatives to summon the Speaker and members. Presently the Speaker appeared at the bar with the Black Rod, the Sergeant-at-arms, and the Clerk of tlie House. Then came members in the first division, of whom were the Prime Minuter and his colleagues. The assembly being now fully constituted, Sir Francis Bell (Leader of the Legislative Council) stepped forward, bowed, and presented a copy of thd Speech to the GovernorGeneral, who, putting on his hat, and remaining seated, read- the document. ■ (The Speech appears on another page.) HOUSE OF REPRESETATIVES. The Speech took twenty minutes in delivery, and on its conclusion the members of the Lower House returned to their Chamber. The House resumed at three o'clock. After several members Were 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 sitting day, move that a respectful Address be presented to the Governor-General In reply to his Speech. The Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald (Leader of the Opposition) gave notice to move an amendment to the Address to the effect that the Government does not possess the confidence of the country. Mr. C. E. Statham (Dunedin Central) gave notice to move an amendment to the Address to the effect that the House feels the Government ought to be selected by members of the Hous, or at least by the dominant Party in the House. Leave of absence for, the session was granted to the Hon. A. M. Myers. Leave was also granted for short periods to Messrs. W. T. Jennings, Tau Henare,.T. M. Wilford, and J. Vigor Brown. The Premier moved the first reading of the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill. The House adjourned at 3.40 till Tuesday. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council sat at 3.5 p.m. Leave of absence for the session was ' granted to the Hon. Carson. The Council adjourned at 3.7 p.m.