PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(SPECIAL TO '-KB PWtSS.") WELLINGTON, July 1. OPENING- OF P__AI_A__HNTA few minute* after the -hour of ht *-*!_fT two this afternoon the Usher of the B_wk Rod made his appearanoe in Ore Boull< Representatives, and annoimoet- tihftt t_e immediate attendance of i_e__*HM_ "was requested in tl» Le_ri_iativ« CtourK-t to hsa-r read the Commission regarding the openaag of Parliament. The Coin-owners then trooped out to the" Upper- House, where only a few Councillors' wwe in a-tendance. There t__y listened to the r_*i4uxg ol the Comraiesion by the Speaker, Sir Henry Miller, which,' iinishtxl, they trooped back again to ilu-ir own chamber. The Counoillois thwi took the oath of allegiance to the King, bung sworn singly in the lower House. Members came up in fours over the new carpet, which is n.u*:-c aggressive even than the members of the Left Wing, and were sworn in by Sir 'Maurice O'Rorke. Captain Russoll, with Mr James Allen and Mr Hemes, were on tlve- front Opposition bench. Mr Allen was looking fairly fit, and everyone was pleased to see both him and Mr Morrison in their places again. Major Steward, whoso venerable beard and long service entitle him to ho called the Father of the House, bad for the nonce di_pe_sed with the "white flower of a blameless life" and wore in its place a red noaagtty. Mr Napier and Mr Wilford kid blos-omed out into frock coats. Several of the members* did not answer to their names, and will ha*ee to take the oath of aJlegioaice on their arrival. Messrs Collins and Syme, who object to the ordinary oaths were, as usual, the last to be sworn. They each made the usual affirmation. RESIGNATION OF MEMBERS. The Speaker then read Mr Lewis's resignation aa a member of the House, and Mr Seddon intimated that ou Wednesday ho would move that a writ be issued for the election of a new member. Tho Spwiker then rend Mr Geo. Hutchison's resignation as member for Patea, and the Premier made a similar intimation to. that which he had made in the other case. Mr 'Monk asked if the Speaker would tell them tha date of Mr Butolweooo's resignation. The Speaker—Certainly not. An hon. member—ls the i_„g_ation dated? The Speaker—No. I Mr Pirani—Would I 'ha in order in moving thufe a select committee be »et up with a view to ascertaining where the resignation has been tbie last eight or nine mouthsV Mr Seddon—The fact that the Speaker only received it on Saturday must throw the responsibility upon those who have not sent.it in. Mr Fisher—_s it dated or is it undated? 'Mr Piruni—lb is undated. Mr Monk asked when the resignation had been made. The hon. members would like to know as. the seat had practically been vacant for _o many months. The Speaker said he understood the resignation came from Patea. It bore the Patea postjnark. *• THE HON. HALL-JONES. Mr . Hall-Jones, whose position in th_ Ministry is just now the subject of much conversation, has not yeb put in an appearawoa in Parliament', but may be expected here in a few days. THE LICENSING LAW. The Liquor Party is said to be exercising pressure on the Premier to amend the licensing hiw in direction of making the term of licenses six or tone years inatead of three. The GovernnwHirb is anxiauß that the Colonial Seoretary should have power to grant a license in a district for the encouragement of the tourist traffic, and it is pro. able that a Btrong effort twill be- made to alter the law in that direction. The Temperance Party, however, will not tamely submit to any such alterations its the law.