UNION PARLIAMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 114, 14 May 1892, Page 2

UNION PARLIAMENT.

SESSION OPENED.

Last everanc in the Lecture Hall of the V.M.C.A. the session of the first Union Parliament held in connection with tho Auckland Literary Societies' Union was formally opened by the Governor, His Excellency Sir G. M. O'Rorke.

The 'affair has created a great deal of interest, and last evening the attendance was large, the hall being quito filled, and many of those present appearod to derive a great amount of instruction and enjoyment in the course of their initiation into the mysterious doings of our House of Representatives, as shown by their "double," especially the fairer sex, who were present in considerable numbers, and gave undivided attention throughout the meeting. Amongst those on the platform were Messrs J. M. Shera and F. Lawry, M.H.Pw's, P. A. Philips, Town Clerk, and Professor Pond. President of tho Affiliated Literary Societies. There were also among the audience many of our prominent citizens, who appeared greatly interested in the proceedings.

The members of the House, sixty-nine in r;umber, represent the same number of electorates, which are scattered throughout the province of Auckland, as representing the whole colony, and they are divided into two parties, i.e., Government and Opposition. The Ministry is composed as follows :—Premier and Colonial Secretary, L. St. J. KekwiphL; Attorney-General and ?i)ini.stor of Education, C. J. Parr ; Colonial Treasurer, A. W. Kitson ; Native Minister Mid Minister of Justice and Defence, M. J. McGregor; Minister of Lands, D. W. .Jrtfik ; and Minister of Public Worlds, A. Kosser. Several of the "honourable" members displayed a thorough grasp of the various subject.?, on which they expended, with considerable success, their utmost oratorical power?, and or:o or two allowed themselves to be regular old stagers at the work. The majority, liowe-ver, of tho "honourable" members seemed to have a very indistinct and vague notion of the regular routine of the proceedings, and were apparently considerably amused by some of the formalities. After the election of tho Speaker, Mr C. E. Button, and the election of a Committee, ■ composed of the Premier (Mr L. '>r. J, Kekiviek), Clerk (R. H. A. Potter), Messrs E. E. Vaile, J, M. McLaclilan, and R. J. CraiTOtß, who manage the business of the Parliament during their term of office, the P-ii'liarnent was opened by the Governor, who in his speech gave an outline of the intentions of his Ministry. After the opening ceremony, the Governor retired, and Messra F. M. Ha y : P. E. Cheal, and H. M. Smweton were elected a Committee to prepare the Address-in-reply to the throne. On the return of the Committee, the Ad-'V'OS-in-Reply, comtuled by Messrs Hay and Cheal, was r«au by Mr Hay, in which they thanked His Excellency for opening Parliament, and commented on tho policy. The address was supported by Messrs Hay nnd Cheal in exccilont speeches, and the Premier gave an exposition of the policy of hie Government. Tho Premier subsequently called upon tho gentlemen on the platform for speeches, and Sir G. M. G'ltorke, Messrs Shora, Lawry, Philips, and Pond responded. They wished the Union every success, and characterised it as one which would bo exceedingly beneficial to young men. Several notices of motions were given for tho next sitting, and the House adjourned till Friday, the 27th inst.