THE SESSION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 230, 23 June 1920, Page 8

THE SESSION

OPPOSITION FRONT BENCHES

NOTABLE ABSENTEES

The Housojof Representatives is to meet but tho real opening ol Parliament for business will not be until the following day. The business of tlie first day in the House wi'.l be simply tho election of Speaker, and this wi'.l Ik- a pure formality, for the return of Sir Prederick Lang is assured. On the next day His Excellency the GovernorGeneral will rtad the Speech to (he assembled members of both Houses. It is customary not to do any other business on this day, but it may bo that some references will be made to uembers or ex-members of either House f.'ho have died since the prorogation of the Inst House. It happens that this jear the death roll is a small one, and it may bo that Mr. Massey will refer to deceased members after the House ermes back to its own meeting placo from the Legislative Council. As usual, there must be an Imprest Supply Bill before the end of the month, and tne month ends on Wednesday next. The House must grant Supply before the conclusion of the Wednesday sitting. This may be an additional reason for submitting resolutions of mourning and condolence on Friday, Leaving Tuesday for the Imprest Bill. As soon as the Imprest Bill :'s out of the way, the first business of the session will be the Address-in-Eeply debate, and it is expected that this debate, as is common in a new Parliament, may bo a long one. The mover of the Address will be Mr. P. H. Hockley (Rotorua), and the seconder Mr. David Jones (ICaiapoi). The Governor's Speeoh this year is expected to be a fairly long one, giving some idea of the work ahead of Parliament for the, session.

in the now House there will be riany changes in personnel. The meet noted absence will be that of Sir Joseph Ward, fir there has not been a Parliament for nearly thirty years in which Sir Joseph Ward has not sat as a front bench member of either the Government or the Opposition Party. Ho joined the first Bullions Ministry in 1891 as Pcfltmaster-Gen-ornl. and in the next Ministry was the holaer.of many important portfolios. Another well Known permanent absentee is Mr. G.'W. Bussell. '

When the House meets the Opposition will be weak in the front benches. Mr. T. M. Wilford is at present in America, and may not be back for soine time. Mr., A. M. Myers is in- Engfand, and it is quite possible that he will-not be back in 'New Zealand at all for this session of Parliament. Mr. W. D. S. Mac Donald, the Leader of the Opposition, will have very.light support in debate. He lias not 'been in veiy good health during the recess, but he is now to'.erably well,'although he still suffers from neuritis. Members are assembling now in Wellington, and alt of them seem to havo made up their minds to a long and arduous session, promised to them by the Prime Minister.