PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10560, 16 February 1912, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

THE OPENING DAY. SIR ARTHUR GUINBSS ELECTED SPEAKER. MR ISITT'S INDEPENDENCE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last Nigh*. Tli© eighteenth Parliament of New Zealand was opened in the Legislative ; Council 'by Commission at 2.30 o'clock . this afternoon, the Commissioners l)e- \ ing tihe Hans. Bowen, Baillic, Kelly, i Millls, Jenkinson, McGowan and McLean. The proceedings were purely .formal. The Speaker announced that the Governor would to-morrow declare the cause of the assembling of Parliament. SWEARING-IN. 'Members of the House who had been summoned to the Council Chamber then retired to the House to be sworn in.. " " j In the House, the members were sworn in, the only absentee being Mr Wilford, member for the Hutt. ELECTION OF SPEAKER. The election of Speaker was then proceeded with. Mr Hanan, in moving that the Hon. member for Grey (Sir Arthur Guiness) be elected Speaker,- a-eferred to the fact that Sir Arthur had been a member since 1884, and had been tho Speaker of three Parliaments. He also made eulogistic reference to the manner in which the Parliament had •been conducted under the Speakership of Sir Arthur. Mr Myers seconded the motion, associating himself with the sentiments of the mover. He was sure that Sir ', Arthur's presence in the chair ' would prevent all such regrettable scenes as had occurred in some of the Australian Parliaments. Sir Joseph Ward congratulated the House on its choice of a Speaker. He referred to Sir Arthur's long experience as a Parliamentarian, and to his qualifications for the position. Ho was very glad to find that his nomination had been received with extreme cor- , diality on the opposite side of tho House. He was pleased to see the Speaker had the goodwill of every member of the House. Mr W. F. Massey congratulated the i Speaker upon his re-election. In his desire to make the New Zealand Parliament" a model Parliament, the - Sj>easkefr would have the assistance of every member of-the House.- He 'hop- , ed!his'teiTm;weiikl be . a, pleasing one, and that, ho;would rule "- %: the -proceedings' of the House with tlie same tact, purpose arid dignity as in, ( previous years. Mr L. M. Isitt announced that he would speak on behalf of the Independent members (laughter). He offered his congratulations to the Speak, or upon his re-election. Sir Arthur iGtiinness tendered tins sin- , cere thanks for the honour conferred' upon lii-m —the highest honour in the gift of the House. He was fully aware of the responsibilities of the office, and he would, to the best of his ' ability, preserve the dignity of the House. -He would also endeavour ( strictly to observe due courtesy to all ' members, without regard to friendships, personal or political. ADJOURNMENT. Sir-Joseph Ward moved the adjournment, at 3.30 p.m.,. till 2.30 on Friday. • This was carried on the voices.