OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3561, 28 June 1912, Page 5

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

SMALL ATTENDANCE OF THE PUBLIC. ONLY FORMAL BUSINESS TRANSACTEO. HON- J. A. MILLAR AN ABSENTEE [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, June 27. The second session of the 18th Parliament opened to-day at 2.30 in wet weather and the broken up condition of Parliament grounds owing to the erection of the foundations of the new Houses of Parliament, there were limited public attendance outside and visitors in the galleries and on the floor of the Chamber were few in number.

The Governor, attended by his A.D-C. and a number of territorial officers, entered the Legislative Council Chambers punctually to the hour, and the members of the House having been summoned, His Excellency read the Speech, which occupied him 40 minutes, and then retired". During the afternoon sitting of the House Hon. 0. Samuel, who had been appointed to fill the position of leader of the • Council, vice Mr. McGowan (deceased), stated he would not take office in this or other Ministry, but he had consented t<tetake the position temporarily at the request off the Government. He hoped that before long the exceptional circumstances would be so altered and that the leadership would be made permanent by the appointment to it of a Cabinet Minister holding a portfolio. . Meanwhile he could do no less than the late Mr McGowan had done in acceding to the request of the Government and would with confidence ask for the indulgence of the Council. A message from the Governor was read announcing the appointment to the Council of Hons. Steward and Duncan and' Mr Parata. and the two former sworn in and took their seats.

Sir Wm. Steward gave notice to move the Address-in-Reply. The Council then rose.

In the House of Representatives Mr MoCalluni (Waiivau) gave notice to move the Address-in-Reply. Mr Millar was granted leave of absence for one week. The House then rose.

COMPULSORY CLAUSES OF THE DEFENCE ACT.

IF IT COMES TO MB PAYNE'S VOTE—WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

By Telegraph—Special correspondent. WELLINGTON, June 27. At the annual meeting of the Canterbury General Laborers’ Union a letter was received from J. Payne, M.P. for Grey Lynn, in reply to a resolution forwarded to him by the Union asking him to vote against any Government that would not- agree to repeal the compulsory clauses of the Defence Act. The letter concluded as follows: “Believe me, if it comes down to my vote at the coming no-confidence motion to save the Government one of the things as my price will be the abolishing of the compulsory clauses of the Defence Act.”

HOW WILL they vote?

MESSRS VEITCH AND ROBERTSON IN A QUANDARY.

Mr W- A. Veitch, M.P. for Wanganui, and Mr J. Robertson, M.P. for Otaki, wlio have been in Auckland with tlie Cost of Living Commission, will leave to-night for Wellington in order to be present in time for the first of the serious business of the session. Approached this morning for an expression of opinion as to what turn they believed the political tide would take they were candidly unwilling to make any statement in the meantime. “I don’t like giving an evasive answer,” .said Mr Veitch, “but really I am not in a position even, to guess at what is likely to happen.” Mr Robertson expressed himself similarly. “We Labor members are absolutely independent,” he said “and when one finds that Mr T\ ilford and others are getting their constituents to allow them a free hand tlie position becomes more difficult- than ever to gauge.” Neither member had any knowledge of anything that would justify the rumored! suggestion 'that Mr Millar would move a no-confidence motion in the present Government. Their future course of action -will depend entirely upon the Government’s proposals "as outlined in the Governor’s Speech.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

MR. BRYCE AMONG THE VISITORS. OLD FACES IN STRANGE PLACES

The Strangers’ Galleries were only comfortably filled when the House resumed the first sitting of the session. Honored with a special seat on tlie floor of tlie House on the Speaker’s right was the Hon. James Bryce. He had a brief conversation with the leader of the Opposition and a few words with the Speaker, and when the formal business commenced lie was one of the most interested and observant of the strangers present. Some interest was taken in the posit:ons selected by the new Government. The Prime Minister has retained the seat he occupied as a member of tlie Ward Ministry on the extreme left of tlie front Ministerial benches and Mr Myers has selected that formerly occupied by Mr. Millar. Tlie Bench behind them was occupied by Messrs Russell, Ell and Colvin. The Minister of Public Works has, succeeded to the seat previously occupied by Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Hanan occupied Sir James Carroll’s old place. Messrs Laurensqn and Buxton were in the bench behind. Mr To Rangihiroa did not take his place on the Ministerial benches.

There was an interesting gathering on one of the back benches on the Government side of the House. At one end was the former Prime Minister * at the other the member lor the Bay of Islands. Next to Sir Joseph Ward sat Messrs Sykes and Bradney, two Opposition members, and next to Mr Reed the former Minister of Public Works.

Among those who were not present were Sir James Carroll, the Hon. AT. Ngata, Hon. J. A. Millar. Mr G. J Anderson and Mr W. H. Herrins. Subsequently leave of absence for a week was granted to Mr Millarsfand for three days to Mr Anderson. '

THE WANT OF CONFIDENCE

.MOTION

Jill MASSEY GETS IN EARLY

Any attempt to forestall a want of confidence motion from the Leader of the Opposition was anticipated by Mr Massev, who took good care there should be no fulfilment of the rumor that has been current that some other ambitious member would attempt the defeat of the Government. Immediately the Speaker asked for notices of motions Mr Massey rose and announced that when the Address-in-Reply was moved he would move a certain amendment.

“SOME HARDY ANNUALS.”

LABOR BILLS PROLIFIC.

There was the usual vigorous appearance of “Hardy” annuals this afternoon.

Mr Witty (Riccarton) gave notice of the Land Agents Registration Bill. Mr Herdman (Wellington North) announced for the fourth time the Public Service Reform BillMi- Fisher (Wellington Central) gave notice of the Marriage Act Amendment Bill, a legacy from “the Father of the House” now retired to the Upper Chamber. There was general amusement when Mr Hunter (Waipawa) again addressed to the Minister of Railways his proposal that on long distance trains a carriage should be reserved for mothers and others travelling with children. The Labor representatives announced a number of Bills. -Mr Payne gave notice of a Prevention of Acquirement- of Unearned Increment Bill, a Workers’ Right to Workers’ Wages Bill, a Workers’ Minimum Wage Bill and an Arbitration Act Amendment Bill. Mr Hindmarsh declared his intention of introducing a Legislature Amendment Bill and a Limitation of Distress for Rent Bill-ADDRESSES-IN-P.EPLY. WHO WILL MOVE THEM. The three new members of the Legislative Council—Messrs W. J. Steward. T. C. Duncan and Tame Parata—were sworn in this afternoon.

• Messrs Steward and Duncan will more and second the Address-in-Reply. In the House Mr R. McCallum (Wairau) will move the Address-in-Reply. It has net yet been decided who will second the motion, hut this responsibility will be accepted by either Mr J. Vigor Brown (Napier) or Mr G. WForbes (Hurunui). THE ALLIANCE DECLARES V/AR. “TIRED OF MARKING TIME.” War was formally declared by the New Zealand Alliance this evening against the Prime Minister. One hundred delegates from the New Zealand Alliance Convention waited upon him with a number of requests for amendments in the licensing legislation. Mr [Mackenzie said he did not think licensing legislation could be introduced during tlie present session, but he promised to communicate the deputation’s representations to Cabinet. Personally he could not undertake to introduce legislation giving a bare majority at the present time. The intention of the legislature undoubtedly bad been . that no barmaids other than those employed when the . Act was passed should be employed either in public or private bars. If he introduced any legislation he would be glad to make this point clear. The matter of liquor entering the King Country should be gone into and liquor regulations should extend to trains passing through the King Country.—(Hear, hear). Parliament had not many requests and tlie legislation passed had been progressive, though perhaps it had not quite satisfied the reformers. “Personally.” concluded Mr Mackenzie. “I will be quite candid with tlie deputation. I am not in favor of the bare majority.” Rev. W. j. Conrrie asked what was the mind of Cabinet in regard to licenses affected by boundariesMr Mackenzie said that Cabinet had decided that legislation should not be introduced to restore the licenses in question. This meant that the wholequestion of licensing legislation was to be left unopened. Mr Conrrie asked whether. the Government would give facilities for a, private Bill dealing with the singlequestion of bare majority. The Prime [Minister replied that the only thing the Government could do was not to obtrude the public business before the legislation that was given notice of by private members. They were entirely bound by the Standing Orders. Mi- Wesley Spragg: “Are we to understand that you represent tlie spirit of your Government in opposing the application for a Democratic vote upon this as upon other questions?” Mr Mackenzie: “Oh, no! I. have expressed my own personal opinions." ’ Mr Spragg; “We have differed a great deal, as to parties in the past and have been anxious not to force ourselves to the injury of other parties, but it is the universal feeling of our members that the time has come when we must not mark time any longer. If there is no other way we shall at once put ourselves in a position to make our demand felt at Hie ballot box”. —(Hear, hear.) Mr Speight: “That is not in the nature of a threat. It is. in the nature of a kindly notice!” —(Laughter.) MV Mackenzie: “Mr Speight comes from a country where they follow up kindly notice with a stick.” —(More laughter.) „ . Mr Speight: “We find it the only effective way.”—(Renewed laughter). Mr Spragg: “The statement by Mr.

Speight must not rob our statement of its full significance or rob it of its appearance of sincerity.” Mr Speight and others: “Hear, hear.”