THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22747, 27 June 1939, Page 9

THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

COMMISSION TO BE READ TO-DAY OFFICIAL CEREMONY TO-MORROW tfrom Our Parliamentary ReporterJ ’

WELLINGTON, June 26. . The provision of extra accommodation and some rearrangement of the old accommodation have intensified the usual last-minute rush to have the Houses of Parliament ready for the opening of the new session to-morrow. Building and remodelling have been fairly extensive, especially on the second floor of the building, where the offices, of the Minister for Finance have, been extended considerably.. The smell of wet- paint permeates the whole building; but most of the noisy work will be completed in time for the opening. ‘For the first few weeks of the session it is unlikely that there will be anything beyond stereotyped Not till the Hon. W. Nash gets back Is anything of major importance likely to be done, and chief interest centres on this event.

Traditional procedure will be observed at the ceremonial opening of Parliament by the Governor-General (Lord Galway). The Vice-Regal salute of 19 guns will be fired from Point . Jemingham as their Excellencies leave ■ Government House, and. on arrival at / Parliament Buildings they will be received by the chiefs of the defence services and other official persons. Before proceeding to the Legislative Council chamber to read the Speech, from the Throne his Excellency will r inspect a guard of honour, which is , to be provided by the Royal New Zea- , land Artillery, with Major R. S. Park in comnfand. The Wellington_ Artil - lery. Band will play the'first six bars *■ of the National Anthem to synchronise with the Royal galute. As a preliminary to the official opening on Wednesday. Parliament will be formally opened tp-mdrrow afternoon bv a commission of five members of' the Legislative Council. Members of both Houses of the legislature will assemble in the council chamber, where the commission will be read to them bv the Clerk of Parliaments, Mr C. M. Bothamley. Members of the House of Representatives will then return to their own chamber for the swearing-in ceremony and the election of a Speaker.