PARLIAMENT.

Northern Advocate, 25 June 1920, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

FIRST FORMALITIES,

OF INITIAL SESSION

SIR P. LANG AGAIN SPEAKER,

By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. WELLINGTON, Last Night. To-day's proceedings in Parliament were almost entirely x'ormal. The King's commission fitting the session was read iv the Legislative Council and then the members of the House of Representatives met ia their own chamber. The nieinbeiis took the oath of allegiance and proceeded to the election of a Speaker. Four of the Labour members—Messrs Bartram, Fraser, Howard and McCombs—chose to make an affirmation instead of taking the oath in the usual way. Sir Frederick Lang was re-elected Speaker without opposition, on the motion of Mr Hunter (Waipawa), secoadcd by Mr Isitt (Christchurch North). The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition congratulated the Speaker ,and then the House adjourned until to-morrow aftwaoon, when the Governor-General will read his Speech. A BIG DIFFERENCE. The appearance of the House has changed considerably since last session. The Reform Party is a solid phalanx on the Speaker's right 'md contains many new faces. It overflows into the loft cross-benches, where the enlarged Labcur Party makes quite a formidable showing. . Two of the Labour members —Messrs McCombs and Sulli.an-rhave moved into the front benches. This is the first time their party has Appeared im such a position. The reduced Liberal opposition on the left lacks several of its members, including Messrs Myers and Wilford. Mr Statham (Dunedin Central), who was elected originally as a Reformer and'subsequently announced himself an Independent, has taken unseat on the back Opposition benches. T-he Governor-General will read his speech to-morrow afternoon. IMPREST SUPPLY. The real business tf the session will begin on Tuesday, when an" Imprest Supply Bill will be introduced. LABOUR CHAIRMAN. The Labour group has re-elected Mr Holland as chairman.