Formal Opening of Parliament

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 43, 23 February 1944, Page 4

Formal Opening of Parliament

1 Mr Schramm Elected Speaker i r (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 2. ! The formal opening of Parliament took place to-day in the presence of full galleries. Iu the House Mr. F. W. Schramm was unanimously elected Speaker after all members had been sworn in. The House and Legislative Council assembled in their respective chambers at 2.30 p.m. There were few in the galleries of the Council when the Commission entered and sent Black Rod to summon the members of the House, who arrived, led by the Clerk of the House (Mr. T. D. H. Hall). lion. M. Fagan, speaking for the Commission called upon the Clerk or Parliaments (Mr. C. M. Bolhamley) to read tlie letters patent appointing the Commision to open the General Assembly. Mr. Fagan then announced that the Governor-General would attend tomorrow afternoon to inform the members of the purpose of the session and in the meantime required the House to appoint a Speaker. This concluded the ceremony in the Council. When the House reassembled in its own chamber, the Clerk read the Governor-General's authority for the administration of the oath to members and then administered the oath, members coming forward in groups of four. Mr. A. S. Richards moved the appointc ment of Mr. Schramm as Speaker, saying d lie felt sure all sides of the House would y agree Mr. Schramm was capable of filling j the office in the able way it had been { filled by his immediate predecessors, Sir ’ Charles Statham and Mr. W. E. Barnard. n Mr. Schramm had tlie right qualifications s and a good grasp of Standing Orders. *f Mr. W. J. Broadfoot, on behalf of the r> members of the Opposition, seconded the ii nomination. The office of Speaker was one •. of great honour, lie said, and no greater a compliment could be paid to a member of . the House than election to this ancient a and honourable office. The Opposition - congratulated the Government on its *xn cellent choice and warmly supported that i. choice. - Mr. Schramm thanked the mover and seconder for tlie nomination, and said he if was pleased to accept it and submit hlmr self to the judgment of the House, e As there was no other nomination, he s was led by his sponsors to the Speaker’s - dias, where, standing beside the Chair, r. he thanked the members for selecting e him. Referring to the requirements of the - Speaker’s position, he said he would do his e best to carry out the duties with imy partiality and fairness. The Mother of e Parliaments had given them traditions il and it was up to them to uphold these, o He was pleased to have the confidence of >r all members of the House and could h assure them he represented the whole :r House and not Any particular section. He e asked for the help of all members and Lt said lie felt sure lie would have their coJ, operation and goodwill. d Rt. Hon. r. Fraser was the first •s member to address the new Speaker, 'O whom he congratulated on his appointe ment. Mr. Fraser said the House was representative of the people, and it was i 0 the Speaker's duty to claim the rights h and privileges of Parliament from his Majesty’s representative and safeguard d them for the people—a duty never more ' important than now, when they were ld fighting for democratic freedom. Mi. Fraser assured Mr. Schramm that the whole House had faith in his ability, judgment and balance of mind. Mr. S. G. Holland said he joined in the n expressions of congratulations with the ,r greatest possible pleasure. The Opposie lion counted it a great privilege to bo c given the opportunity to second the nom- [" (nation. They recognised it as the ' Government's prerogative to nominate tho .Speaker, hut were glad to he able to show . that Mr. Schramm had , the unanimous . confidence of the House. The Opposition had complete and absolute c onfidence in ,* the. new Speaker’s impartiality. Mr. Schramm thanked the party leaders for their congratulations, and the House adjourned at 3.30 until 2.30 to- _ morrow.