PARLIAMENT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 5 December 1928, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

(By Telegraph-Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 4. The opening of Parliament in June is generally associated with dull days, if not inclement weather, but in December the whole aspect is changed. Blue skies and bright sunshine were the predominating features to day, when the first session of the 23rd Parliament was ushered in

In view of the surprising developments at the recent election the event was fraught with more than ordinary interest, which fact was manifested by the large crowds which assembled in the vicinity of Parliament Buildings as the opening hour approached. The curiosity of the onlookers was not rewarded further than to see members arriving, those newly elected being the object of special observation and criticism.

Inside the House of Representatives there were crowded galleries on every hand, and as the members took thenseats the public were busily engaged sorting them out. Great- changes were at once apparent, more in the state of the parties than in the personnel. The Reform Party, which once flowed over three-fourths of the chamber, has now shrunk to one-fourth. The Opposition benches are no longer occupied by the Labour Party, but are filled by the United Party, men who for the most part are new to the scene, while the Labour Party, increased in numbers but shorn of official status, fills up the cross benches under the ladies' gallery. In this part of the House there sits in conspicuous isolation Mr Rushworth, the sole representative of the Country Party. Scarcely had the members thus roughly * grouped themselves than Black Rod entered and summoned them to proceed to the Legislative Council to hear His Excellency the Governor-General’s Commission read. Here the proceedings were distinctly formal. Sir Walter Carncross, Sir Erancis Bell, Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, and Sir William Hall-Jones represented His Excellency. Sir Walter Carncross read His Excellency’s announcement that Parliament had been summoned for the transaction of business, and bidding members of the House repair to their own chamber and elect a Speaker. These proceedings were, watched by almost empty galleries, the public apparently sensing that although the occasion was interesting, nothing that would happen in connection with it would be important. ELECTION OE SPEAKER.

On the members retiring to their own chamber the scene was altogether different, for there was an air oi animation and expectation on every side. The members were first called to the table in groups of four, where they took the oath of allegiance in the presence- of the Clerk. The formality of swearing-in finished, Sir George Hunter rose in his place on the Reiorm side, arici in nervous, tremulous tones moved that Sir Charles Statham be elected Speaker of the House. In doing so he said he had great pleasure in moving the motion. Jfjver since its inception the Douse- had been fortunate in being able to secure men ox high and great repute to occupy the SpeaKer’s cnair. .Sir George could remember when in 1854 Sir Dharles Clifford was elected the first topeaser, and Sir Charles Clifford hud been followed by Sir David Monro, Sir E. B. Bell, Sir 'William Eitzheruert, Sir George O’Rorke, fc«ir A. Guinness, Bir u imam <J us.es Stuart, and Sir Frederick Gang, and all had maintained the high traditions of the office. in 19z3 the House was icrtunate in being able to secure the services of Sir Quarles Statiiam. ah the members realised the value of those services and iiow fortunate the House was in again having the opportunity ox selecting a man so .highly quahneu to fill the position. Mr. J. A. McPherson (United, Oamaruj seconded the motion, and said he was certain Sir George Hunter's eulogy ot Sir Charles totatham was nothing more than that to which Sir Charie" was entitled, as past &peaxers had done, Sir Charles Statham had maintained the dignity of the position with every credit, and fie (Mr. McPherson) left satisned te>ir Charles would carry on and raise lus onice to an even higher standard than in the years gone by, if that were possible. He wished to compliment Sir Charles more particularly on his assistance to young members in the past. Mr. Mcxdierson said lie felt sure that all members would do what they couid to enable the Speaker to preserve the dignity of the House as he had maintained it in the first six years of onice. Mr. Peter Eraser (W’ellington Central) said he wished to endorse the remarks on behalf of the Labour Party. He had sat under Sir Charles Statham lor six years, and he was sure no better selection’ was possible. He was confident it was the unanimous opinion of old members that Sir Charles carried the complete conhdence of the whole House. Sir Charles Statham from the floor of the House thanked the speakers for their remarks and said he realised in IJy the responsibility of the position and submitted himself to the "ill oi the House. ~. There being no other nomination, Sir Charles was" accordingly elected, and on being escorted to tne cnair again returned an acknowledgment to the House.

silt CHARLES CONGRATULATED, After the Speaker had taken the chair, the Priuae. Minister, the R|t. Hon. J. G.- Coates, otfeied Sir diaries his cougiratu. ations. In doing so he said he te*t he was only echoing the •statements ot every member ox the House. As they listened to the names mentioned by Sir George Hunter every member must have realised the jstanuard set bv speakers in Hew Zealiand, anti lie considered Sir Charles Statham had added lustre to the higlr ollTeo. He had shown fair play and a nonpartisan spirit to every member of the House. . , _ ~ Sir Charles’ compete mastery or tlie knowledge of the forms of the House,

OPENING OF SESSION ELECTION OF SPEAKER

Sir Charles Statham Reappointed

Tributes to His Work

of tho rulings of past Speakers and oi the Standing Orders had led to the unanimity of the decision which the House had jurt reached, namely, that it 00-nsider-e d Sir GiroiiJios Stn-tlicLtn tlic man who fitted the office. He had established himself there by his own personality and iiblity. it meant- .a rot to Parliament and more to the country as a whole to have in t-lie Speaker’is chair a man who ooiiild guide the House amicably and justly, m order that the people of New Zealand might look up to their Parliament and more particularly to those who conducted its procedure, he felt it ins duty to offer Sir Charles Staithani the congratulations of the people ot New Zealand. (Applause). Sir Joseph. vVard, Leader of the Opposition, added hiis appreciation. He thought lie was right in saying the House could be absolutely unanimous on this one question-I—the 1 —the fitness of Sir Charles for the position. He was proud to be under a Speaker who ruled with such fairness, firmness and dignity. The last Parliament was memorable for the manner in which its business had been done. One of the most important things to be done was tho election of the Speaker. He few one would be favourable towards no con/test at any election for the seat occupied bv the Speaker. Since 1887. :sadd Sir Joseph, he had fcsat under every Speaker in New Zealand, and lie had seen Speakers in other countries;. He was proud of the New Zealand Speakers and of the standard they .had established. He congratulated Sir Charles on his calmness in moments of disturbance, on his firmness and determination and on his recognition of the rights of every member of the House. Sir Joseph W ard aiiiso referred to the hospitality of the Speaker and his lady which, he said, took the edge off the acerbities of Parliament. (Applause). “UNIQUE IN PARLIAMENT.”

Mr H. Ei. Holland (Buller), leader of the Labour Party, jomed -the Prime Min lister and the Leader of the Opposition in congratulating Sir ChaiUes Cstatham on hist election for the third time to the Speahe-r’isi chair. This unanimous selection, he considered, would be unique in this Parliament. It would probably be the ony unanimous decision to which the House would come. (Laughter). The House had been immeasurably richer dn its debating standard by reason of the manner in which Sir Quarles Statham had applied the Standing Orders. The LaDonr Party, and in fact ail members of the House, joined in oongrajtuiati ng Sir Chanties- Statiiam. (Applause). Sir H. M. Rushworth (Bay of Islands), the Country Party member, said rt would be presumptions for him to speak as a new member, but as tne sole representative of the new party he offered his congratulations. (Laughter and applause). Sir Charles Statham, replying, expressed appreciation of the -remarks of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, it he leader of the Labour Party, “and, i understand, the Leader of tne Country Party.” Sir Charles, had beei p eased to hear Mr McPherson’s reference to his assistance to- the younger members of -the Douse, and pointed out rt was one of the traditions of the Speakenship which he wished to uphold, namely, to he/ip every member of the House, wii|th the single exception that he would not take part in any party moves or party politics. He thanked the House for the great honour it hadi conferred on him. The adjournment of the House till 2.80 p.m. to-morrow was then moved by the Prime Minister.