PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 14184, 8 October 1909, Page 1

PARLIAMENT.

FIRST DAY'S SITTING.

[From Our Own Reporter.]

WELLINGTON, October 8. ' One opening of Parliament differs no( at all from another. Yesterday was fine, and the drive of Parliament House was lined by a moderate crowd of sightseers, in addition to the military guard Proceeding* in the Council Chamber were watched by as many ladies as the gallery would accommodate On the floor of the Chamber there was room only for the wives of Ministers, of whom seven were present, including Lady Ward. WLen members of the Lower House trooped back to their Chamber and took their seats it was seen that there were very few absentees. One of the first things noticed was that Mr Hogg has taken lii« seat among the Left- Wingers, next to Mr MacLaren, The ex-Minister was one of the earliest of the multitude of members seeking to give notice of motion who caught Mr Speaker's eye, and a perceptible smile went round as the Flour Duty Abolition Bill was given notice of by him. Mr Laurenson is the member to whom the Temperance party have entrusted the charge of their legislative proposals, as he gave notice of the two Brils in which the reforms such as Dominion Option and the Bare Majority are incorporated. Mr T. E. Taylor, whose name has been associated with the Reform party, was in his 'seat yesterday, but has evidently not altogether recovered from the illness which has prevented his appearance lately on the platform of the Temperance party. The new mace which now adorns the table of the House is, so the Prime Minister informed members yesterday, a replica of that which lies on the table of the House of Commons, except that one of the panels contains the Southern Cross and the letters “N.Z.” Just before sir Joseph left for England Mr Speaker wrote him, pointing out that the old mac© had been lost in the fire which destroyed the old Parliament Buildings, and suggesting that while at Home he fihould secure a new one, similar to that in use in the House of Commons. This Sir Joseph ba-s done, and he and his Ministerial colleagues have made the mace a gift to the House by themselves bearing the cost. This announcement was greeted with applause, and a resolution of thanks was carried on the motion of Sir William Steward, seconded by Mr Massey. After transacting formal business the House adjourned as a mark of respect to the I at© Mr Remington. The customary resolution of condolence was moved by the I rime Minister, seconded by Mr Massey, and supported by Mr Laurenson and the new member for Rangitikci (Mr Smith). Mr laurenson mentioned that ho had been surprised at the high death-rate of members of Parliament, as disclosed by an analysis he had made of t he figures for the last nine or ten years since he had been in the House. “If you take the average age of men who occupy seats as from forty to sixty,” he said, “our death-rate is fig per cent, ahead of the average death-rate of the rest of the Dominion.” He.did not know whether this was contributed to by the criticism, mostly anonymous, to which members were subjected, or to the laic hours kepi. The new Government Whip further mentioned that during the time he had been in Parliament two Whips, two Mmisters, and a number of private members had died.

There is a possibility of an Imprest Supply Bill being brought in to-day, after the work of setting up (he sessional committees nominated by Ministers yesterday has been accomplished. The Prime Minister, after suggesting this, intimated to I\lr Massey that the Address-in-Reply debate would be begun on Tuesday.