PARLIAMENT’S THIRD SESSION BEGINS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28930, 25 June 1959, Page 14

PARLIAMENT’S THIRD SESSION BEGINS

Ceremonial Opening By Lord Cobham

(New Zealand. Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 24. The Governor-General (Lord Cobham) opened the third session of New Zealand’s thirty-second Parliament in a colourful ceremony this afternoon. A fanfare of trumpets, the roar of Royal New Zealand Air Force jets overhead, and a 21-gun salute from Point Jerningham heralded the GovernorGeneral’s arrival at Parliament House at 2.30 p.m. Lord Cobham was given a Royal salute by the guard of honour from the Regular Force Cadet School as the R.N.Z.A.F. Territorial Band played the National Anthem. He then inspected the guard and the band. Their Excellencies then followed the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod (Squadron Leader J. E. Seal) into the council chamber, where church and civic dignitaries, and members of the diplomatic corps and their wives were assembled.

Earlier, a crowd of several hundred stood in bright sunshine outside Parliament Buildings to watch the colourful arrival of the diplomats and their wives, judges in their scarlet robes and full-bottomed wigs, and church leaders.

Members of the House of Representatives assembled in their own chamber to await Black Rod's summons to the council chamber to hear the Speech from the Throne. Black Rod gave three distinct taps on the main entrance door to the chamber-of the House of Representatives, and on command from inside, the door was opened to admit him. Black Rod advanced almost to the mace, and informed Mr Speaker that his Excellency desired the attendance of members of the House of Representatives in the council chamber. Mr Speaker then led the procession which assembled before the Governor-General.

When the Parliamentarians arrived, the Prime Minister (Mr Nash) handed the Speech from the Throne to Lord Cobham. His Excellency’s reading of the speech took 25 minutes. Their Excellencies then left the assembly, and members returned to their own chamber after an absence of nearly 40 minutes. Lord Cobham handed the Speech from the Throne to Mr Speaker as he left the chamber. On their return to the House of Representatives, members began to dispose of formal business. This was lightened by Mr T. P. Shand (Opposition, Marlborough), who at question time asked the Prime Minister whether* he would “arrange to have the National Film Unit vehicle, so prominently displayed at today’s ceremony, painted—or at least washed —before the next opening of Parliament.”

The vehicle caused some comment from onlookers during the outside ceremony.

BUSINESS FOR HOUSE

Outline By Prime Minister (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 24. Members of the House of Representatives tomorrow will pay tribute to Dame Hilda Ross, a former Minister of the Crown and Member of Parliament for Hamilton, who died last March. The Prime Minister (Mr Nash) giving an outline of business for this week, said* before the House adjourned today tffat after tributes to Dame Hilda Ross had been paid the adjournment would be taken till 9.30 a.m. on Friday as a mark of respect. On Friday an Imprest Supply Bill would be introduced and debated, and the House would then adjourn till 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday, when Mr N. E. Kirk (Government, Lyttelton), and Mr S. A. Whitehead (Government, Nelson) would move and second the formal motion that a respectful address be sent to his Excellency in reply to the Speech from the Throne.

The House would adjourn after those two speeches till 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, when the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Holyoake) would open the debate, which would continue for the rest of the week and later. Formal notice of intention to move the Address-in-Reply motion was given by Mr Kirk. The House then adjourned at 3.28 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. tomorrow.

Leave Of Absence For Four Members

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 24.

The Minister of Social Security (Miss Howard) and Mr J. K. McAlpine (Opposition, Selwyn), who are visiting the United Kingdom at the invitation of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, were each granted eight days’ leave of absence on urgent public business by the House of Representatives today. Mrs I. M. Ratana (Government, Western Maori) and Mr C. G. E. Harker (Opposition, Hawke’s Bay) were also granted eight days’ leave because of illness.