OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue XIII, 15 July 1879, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

[BY ELECTRIO TELEGRAPH.] WELLINGTON, Friday. The fourth session of the sixth Parliament opened to-day. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. At 2 o'clock, Sir Wm. Fitzherbert handed the Clerk his commission as Speaker, and took the chair. The commission appointing Sir Wm. Fitzherbert, the Hon. Colonel Whitmore, the Hon. Major Richmond, C.8., and Sir F. B. BeU, Commissioners to open Parliament, was then read. The House of Representatives having first been summoned to attend, Sir Wm. Fitzherbert then informed both Houses that His Excellency would, on Tuesday declare to them the reasons for calling them together, and members were sent back to their chamber with instructions to elect their Speaker. The Hon. P. Dignan Avas sworn m, and tile Council adjourned till Tuesday. HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES. The Clerk of the House occupied his ohair, and, under the Special Commission, swore m Mr 0. S. Shanks, member for Mataura; MrF. S. H. Jackson, member for the Hutt ; and Mr D. Goldie, member for Auckland City West, Major Campbell then read a letter from Sir William fitzherbert, thanking the House for ita support. TUB ELECTION OP SPEAKER. Sir G. Grey then rose and said : Major Campbell, I move "That the hon. member for Onehunga, Mr George Maurice O'Rorke, do take the chair as Speaker of this House." Ie is not at all uecessury for me to say anything regarding the fitness of Mr O'Jtorke for the position. He is a gentletruui who has often presided m the Honse as Acting-Speaker, and for many years he has occupied the position of Chairman of Committees. He is well versed m Parliamentary law, and entirely conversant Avith the rules which guide this House m its proceedings. As ActingSpeaker and Chairman of Committees he has shewn great firmness, and his ability to fill the ofiice for Avhat he is now nominated, is beyond all question. He is a gentleman who, by the courtesy of his manners, has won the personal regard of the great majority of the members uoav present, and I am certain the motion I am uoav making will meet with general approval. We could, wot find amm who \

has superior qualifications for the office, iiud 1 fool certain the House will pass the resolution. I feel sure that when he takes the chair, Air O'Rorke will have the assistance of every lnomltu- o?' the House m keeping order, and I am equally sure that nobody can say a word agaiust him, or fiud any whatever fault with my nomination. I have much pleasure ia proposing "That Mr George Maurice O'Rorke, the honorable member for Onehuuga, do takethe chair as Speaker of the Houso of Representatives.' ' (Applause.) Major Atkinson said: After the remarks of the Premier, it is not necessary for me to say much, but I desire to, say (and I speak after an experience of neary 20 years) that there is no gentleman iv the House who has better knowledge of Parliamentary law and custom than Mr O'Rorke. I believe his decision on any point would be accepted by any member without hesitation, because that decision would be strictly impartial, and governed by the laws and usages of Parliament. I have great pleasure m seconding the motiou. Mr O'Rorke aaid : It would be aflectation on my part if I did not admit that I have some knowledge of Parliamentary practice, but a the same time I feel highly flattered by the elogimm that have been passed upon me by the Premier and Major Atkinson. I cannot plead ignorance of the duties which I shall be called upon to peform if you elect me to the honorable position for which I have been nominated. About a quarter of a century since, Sir Ohas. Clifford, whose portrait now adorns these walls, was elected Speaker of this House, and ever since then I have been connected with this Legislature. I saw Sir David Munro installed as Speaker, and I sat under him, and I do not believe his efficiency could be paralleled m any colonial Legislature. It is not necessary for mo to pass any encomiums upon that gentleman's, successors m office, suffice it is to say that they were all able men.' I have seen both Sir Dillon Bell and Sir William Fitzherbert elected as Speakers of this House, and I rejoice now that they did good service to the colony, and that they are now shedding lustre on another branch of the Legislature. While I admit that I have some knowledge of the duties of a Speaker, I am still aware of the grave responsibility attached to the office, but at the same time I feel conscious that, should «my difficulty ever arise, I should have the support and co - operation of this House m preserving that order which should characterise Parliamentary proceedings. It is necessary that, in' appointing a Speaker, you should select one who would cast aside his private feelings, and give his decisions according as his conscience directed him. For myself, 1 may say that I will always do that if lam elected. I shall divest myself of party feelings as regards either one side or the other, and it shall be my endeavor to hold the scales impartially, and I trust it wil never be my lot, ' m preserving order m this House, to wound the feelings of any hpn. member. But, m order that your Speaker should have effective control over the House, it is necessary that there should be extended to him that cooperation which is essential, and I feel that you will extend it. to me. I know that there will be required at my hands impartiality and firmness iv maintaining order, and my highest ambition will be that when I cease to hold office I shall be held m as high esteem as I appear to be at present. (Applause). The motion was then carried, and Mr O'Rorke advanced to the Speaker's chair accompanied by his proposer and seconder. Standing on the steps, he said : "I feel desirous of expressing my gratification at the honor you have conferred on me. I feel that the honor you have done me is enhanced by the unanimity with which the motion proposed by the Premier was carried. There are only two offices that yon could confer on me, and ene of those you have previously conferred. No*v you have done me the honor of electing me to J the Speaker's chair, and I hope that when I vacate this position I shall find that I have not forfeited your esteem, nor done anything which would cause you to regret having reposed this confidence m me to.day. (Applause.) Mr Whitaker said : Mr Speaker, I rise for the purpose of congratulating you on the occasion of your taking the Speaker's chair. We have sat together m this House for many years, but we have seldom, if ever, sat on the same side of the House. I do not speak well of you because we arc friends, but because I feel that you are a man of merit. I have now been ii member of this House for 25 years, and consequently have had a great deal of experience of the character of Speakers, but I have never known anybody who has impressed me as being a more impartial man than yourself. (Applause) . After what has already been said, it is unnecessary for me to speak at great length, but I will express a hope with you that when you retire from tho position of Speaker of this Houso, you will be held m the same high estimation you are at present. I congratulate you most sincerely on taking the Spoakership. (Applause.) I move that this House do now adjourn to the usual hour on Tuesday next. The House then adjourned.