IN SESSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 72, 25 March 1936, Page 8

IN SESSION.

NEW PARLIAMENT. I OPENING TO-DAY. CEREMONY BY COMMISSION ME. BARNARD SPEAKER. (By Telegraph.—Special Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The first session of the twenty-fifth Parliament of New Zealand, and the first to be held with a Labour Government in office, was opened by commission this afternoon. The commission consisted of the Speaker of the Legislative Council,. the Hon. Sir Walter Carneross, the Leader of the Legislative Council, the Hon. Mark Fagan, and the Hons. K. Masters, T. F. O'Byrnc and E. R. Davis.

The members of tlie commission took their scats in the Legislative Council at 2.:i0 o'clock, and the Chief Commissioner, Sir Walter Carncross, addressed the Legislative Councillors as follows: — "Hon Legislative Councillors, I have to acquaint 'the council that his Excellency the Governor-General, not thinking fit to be personally present here this day, hath been pleased to cause a commission to be issued in order to the opening and holding of this the first session of the twenty-fifth Parliament of New Zealand."

The Chief Commissioner then commanded the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, Mr. A. T. Bothamley, to inform members of the House of Representatives that the commissioners desired their attendance in the Legislative Council Chamber. On the members of the House assembling there the Chief Commissioner skid: "Hon. Legislative Councillors and gentlemen of the Hou«e of Representatives, his Excellency the Governor-General, not thinking lit to be present here this day in person, has been pleased, in order to the opening and holding of this tlie first session of the twenty-fifth Parliament of New Zealand, to cause letters patent to be passed under the seal of the Dominion constituting us, the several honourable members of the Legislative Council named therein, his commissioners, to do all things in his Excellency's name oit his part necessary to lie performed in this session of Parliament. This will more fully appear by the letters patent themselves, which must now be read." Vice-Regal Message To-morrow. After the letters patent had been read the Chief Commissioner continued: "Honourable Legislative Councillors and gentlemen of the House of Representatives, we have it in command from his Excellency the Governor-General to inform you that on Thursday, the 20th day of March, at 2.30 o'clock in the afternoon, his Excellency the GovernorGeneral will jdeelare to you in person the cause of his calling this meeting of Parliament together, but since it is necessary that a Speaker of the House of Representatives be first chosen, lii« Excellency request*? that you gentlemen of the House of Representatives repair to the place where you usually sit and there make choice of a fit and proper person to fill that high and important office, and that, having chosen him you present him at eleven o'clock in the forenoon of the 26th day of March at the Government House at Wellington for his Excclleney's approval." Mr. Barnard's Qualifications. The members of the House of Representatives then returned to their own chatnbcf and proceeded to the election of the Speaker. In moving that Mr. W. E. Barnard be elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. W. J. Jordan, member for Manukau, senior Government whip, said that Mr. Barnard had been member for Napier for seven years, during which time lie had particularly interested himself in and had made himself familiar with the procedure of Parliament. His professional training and career had equipped him with that clear and impartial judgment which was so necessary in the discharge of the duties of the office, and which had been so admirably exercised in the House by the late Speaker, Sir Charles Statham, and by previous Speakers. Mr. Jordan said, "We are confident that to these great Speakers Mr. Barnard will make an able and worthy suc-\ cessor. The position calls not only for mental alertness and a complete knowledge of the standing orders, but also for considerable physical strength, as at times the duties occupy long hours and are arduous. Mr. Barnard possesses all the necessary qualities, strength of character and body, determination, tact and patience, and lie will, we are sure, preside over the proceedings, as well as represent our branch of the Legislature, with dignity and uphold the rights and privileges of members."