Lord Cobham Opens 32nd Parliament

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28492, 23 January 1958, Page 12

Lord Cobham Opens 32nd Parliament

(New Zealand Press Association)

1 WELLINGTON January 22. ’ The Governor-General, Lord Cobham, opened the thirty-second ■ Parliament yesterday afternoon : before a commission of judges. ’ This was to enable the House of Representatives to elect a Speaker. I A crowd, dressed in gay summer * clothes, waited in the sunshine by . the main steps at Parliament > Buildings when the GovernorGeneral arrived at 2.30 pin. The Governor-General and Lady Cobham were met at the foot of the steps by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, Squadron Leader J. Seal, and the military chiefs of staff. A fanfare was sounded by R.N.Z.A.F. trumpeters, on the balcony above the main entrance, followed by a Royal salute, the playing of the National Anthem by the Royal Marine Band and,- in the distance, a salute of 21 guns from a battery at Point , Jemingham. With the echo of the last gun a formation of R.N.Z.AF. jet aircraft flew low overhead. The Governor-General inspected the 100 men in the naval guard of honour; and there was another fanfare as he entered the Legislative Council chamber for the opening ceremony. Chamber Packed The chamber was packed. Besides members of Parliament and their wives, members of the diplomatic corps, Supreme Court judges, church leaders, heads of Government departments, and prominent citizens of Wellington were there. After members of the House of Representatives had been summoned, the Governor-General read the Speech from the Throne. It lasted less than five minutes. Black Rod then led the ViceRegal party from the chamber, His Excellency bowing to the new Speaker, Mr R. M. Macfarlane, at the entrance, and handing hitn the Speech from the Throne. Speech from Throne The Governor-General said: “I feel it a great privilege to have this opportunity of addressing you for the first time in Parliament assembled. I am deeply sensible of the honour conferred upon me by Her Majesty the Queen in enabling me to associate myself, as Her Majesty’s representative, with a country unsurpassed in its traditions of loyalty to the throne and in its unswerving devotion to the British Commonwealth and the principles of democracy. “I have been very much moved, and indeed encouraged in the task that lies before me, by the warmth of the welcome everywhere extended to me and to my wife and family. It is my earnest hope that I may, by God’s will, be permitted to assist in some measure in promoting the prosperity of New Zealand and the welfare and happiness of her people. “An event eagerly and joyously awaited by us all is the forthcoming visit of Her Majesty the Queen Mother. Her Majesty’s selfless devotion to the British peoples and the high example she has set before us in her personal and family life have endeared her to us all. Her visit is necessarily of short duration but my Government has, in co-operation with the local authorities concerned, endeavoured to ensure that there will be the fullest practicable opportunity for Her Majesty to be met and greeted by our people, consonant with the necessity for reducing to a minimum the physical strain that Her Majesty will inevitably undergo. Her Majesty will be received with warm and loyal affection by al] sections ,of the New Zealand community.

“We were very happy to welcome two days ago the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Lady Dorothy Macmillan. My advisers are particularly glad of the opportunity that this visit will afford of an exchange of views on international problems at a time when there are so many complex issues before us.

“My Government bases its policy, as previous Governments have done, on active support for the United Nations and on continuous co-operation with other Commonwealth countries. My Ministers firmly believe that a solution to problems of international relations must be sought within the framework of the closest collaboration between the United Kingdom and the United Spates and the fullest consultation with their allies.

“My Ministers have advised me to convene this present session of Parliament in order that consideration may be given to certain proposals arising from the introduction in April next of the Pay-Aa-You-Earn system of taxation.

A bill will be placed before you designed to amend the existing taxation law in order to provide a greater measure of relief for taxpayers in the transitional period and to vary the present requirement regarding the payment of Social Security charge on certain classes of income derived during the current financial year. “A second session of Parliament will be convened later in the year for the transaction of general business and for the consideration of such other legislation as may then be considered necessary in the public interest. “I pray that Divine Providence may guide your deliberations.”