Preparations Made To Open Parliament

Press, Volume C, Issue 29540, 15 June 1961, Page 16

Preparations Made To Open Parliament

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, June 14. Preparations for the opening of the Parliamentary session next week are reaching their peak. Yesterday afternoon a single Canberra Bl 2 jet bomber made its timed run over the Parliamentary grounds in brilliant sunshine as a practice for the opening ceremony. Today a thick southerly murk blan* keted the area, and a further test had to be postponed. An alternative wet weather programme has been prepared for the outside part of the ceremony, which is in the hands of the Army authorities, and the vagaries of weather will not interrupt proceedings.

Parliament Buildings has been completely renovated, a task which has taken many months of rewiring, cleaning, proffing and painting. The Chamber of the House of Representatives has been repainted in a brighter, more colourful style which has eliminated the traditional gloomy stone pillars and grey-black pediments. New lights have been fitted, and light values are guaranteed to be better. Any suggestion that this is connected with a plan to televise parliamentary proceedings has been avoided officially, but some Ministers have made reference to the possibility that the viewing public may

see the inside of Parliament before very long. The General Assembly Library building, which is almost 60 years old, has been waterproofed and repainted a greenish-grey. It also houses members of the Opposition. The Legislative Council Chamber, which is now rarely used, but which will be at the formal opening, has been dusted out. Wig For Speaker The wig for the new Speaker <Mr Algie) has arrived from its London makers and has been tried on. Mr Algie does not propose to wear the full bib and lace cuffs of office, which last adorned Sir Matthew Oram—although Mr Algie admits that they would look well on television. The ceremonial flagpoles have still to rise in the grounds, and Bellamys, the

Parliamentary caterers, are still six staff members short Some minor carpentry is being completed, but otherwise the buildings are ready for business. The only thing lacking is new carpet, which has been ordered, but has not arrived. A brief rehearsal of the ceremony will be held on Monday. On Tuesday three commissioners, headed by the Chief Justice (Sir Harold Barrowclough) will announce the cause of summoning Parliament and will direct the election of a Speaker. The Speech from the Thorne will follow on Wednesday, on Thursday obituary addresses will be taken, and Parliament will adjourn in honour of the late Mr W. H. Gillespie. On Friday wiH come the first opportunity for argument with the introduction of a formal Imprest Supply Bill.