PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1921, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

OPENING OF THE SESSIONONLY FORMAL BUSINESS. AMENDMENT TO ADDRESS. “ By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Tn the bright sunshine of a pleasant spring day the third session of the twentieth Parliament of New Zealand was opened this afternoon with -all the old time ceremonial in the Legislative Council Chamber. The Chamber, which was resplendent with marble columns and handsomely finished native woodwork and deep red plush seats, is now practically complete and will henceforth be used for the Council sittings. Outside Parliament House in front of the main entrance a large number of people gathered, including many who were unable to gain entrance to the crowded galleries, to witness the arrival of the vice-regal party, who were punctual. An animated scene followed. The droning of an aeroplane sounded overhead as Lord Jellicoe inspected the guard, of honor furnished by senior cadets, the first battalion band meanwhile playing national airs. Promptly at 2.30 p.m. the members of both Houses were, in their places. Lady Jellicoe, accompanied by an aide-de-camp, was conducted by Mr. Lowe, clerk of Parliament, to the Legislative Council Chamber, where she was presented with a bouquet. After a brief interval the buzzing undertone of conversation suddenly hushed and His Excellency the Governor-General entered the Chamber, a ?companied by his personal staff and Generals Chaytor, Richardson and McGevin and other honorary aides-de-camp. The Governor-General was in the uniform of an admiral of the fleet and other naval and military officers wore their respective uniforms. The councillors were in formal evening at- ! tire and the bright dresses of the ladies ’ thronging the galleries macle up a scene I of life and. color which gained in vivacity as the assemblage rose to its feet on the vice-regal entry. The Black Rod having summoned the members of the other House these arrived, headed by the Speaker (Sir Frederick Lang) and his attendant mace bearer and the clerk of the House, who were followed by the Hon. D. H. Guthrie (acting-Leader of the House of Representatives) a)id other members of the Cabinet, after whom came nearly all the private members. The only Ministerial absentees were the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey and the Hon. G. J. Anderson. The latter has not yet recovered from his recent severe illness. When all were in their places Sir Francis Be.i placed the Speech in Lord Jellicoe's hands and he proceeded to read it in a clear and deliberate voice, every word being audible throughout the Chamber. (The Speech is published on another page). The reading of the Speech occupied, a ; little over ten minutes. The vice-regal ' party then left for Government House : and both Houses of Parliament proceeded to formal business.

The Legislative Council met at 3 p.m., when there was read a message from the Governor-General announcing the summoning of the following t(> the Council: The Hons. J. MacGregor, O. Samuel, G. Moore, W. E, Collins, Campbell, T. W. Hislop, Mclntyre, Snodgrass and Sir tTam.es Carroll. All these members, with the exception of Sir James Carroll and Mr. MacGregor, who were not present, were sworn in. The Hun. Compbell gave notice of his intention of moving the Address-in-Reply on Tuesday. The Council rose at 3.10 p.m. The House of Representatives met at 3 p.m. Mr. E. Dixon (member for Patea) was sworn in and took his seat.

Mr. T. M. Wil ford (Leader of the Opposition) gave notice of his intention to move an amendment to the Address-in-Reply. Notice of the introduction of the following Bills was given:—Maintenance Orders Facilities (the .Hon. E. P. Lee), Hotels and Restaurant Workers’ Six Day Week (Mr. P. Fraser). Leave of absence was granted the following members: The Hon. A. M. Myers, and Messrs. K. Williams, A. and J. R. Hamilton, R. P. Hudson, Tau Henare, W. T. Jennings, R. McCallum, and A. K. Newman.

On the Hon. D. H. Guthrie's motion the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill was read a first time.

The House adjourned at 3.20 p.m. till 2.30 p,m. to-morrow.