PARLIAMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 26 March 1936, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

1 OPENED BY COMMISSION i i HISTORIC SESSION (By Telegraph) (From “The Mail’s” Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, 25th March. The first session of the twenty-filth Parliament of New Zealand and the first to lie held with a Labour Government in office was opened by Commission this afternoon. The Commission consisted of the Speaker of the Legislative Council (the lion. Sir Walter Carncross), the Leader of the Legislative Council (the lion. Mark Fagan), the lion. Jl. -Masters, die -lon. ’l’. F. 0 Byrne, and the lion. E. it. Davis. The members of the Commission took their scats in the Legislative Council at 2.30 o'clock, and the chief Commissioner (Sir Walter Carncross) addressed Legislative Councillors as follows :

lion. Legislative Councillors. —1 have to acquaint the Council that his Excellency the Governor-General, not thinking fit to be personally present here this day, hath been pleased to cause a Commission to be issued in order to the opening and holding of this the first session of the twenty-fifth

Parliament of New Zealand. The Chief Commissioner then commanded the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod (Air A. I’. Bothamley, 1.5.0.) to inform the members of the House of Representatives that the Commissioners desired their immediate attendance in the Legislative Council Chamber.

Un Lhe members of the House of Representatives assembling there, the Chief Commissioner said :

lion. Legislative Councillors and gentlemen of tlu: House of Represen-tatives,—-II is Excellency the Gover-nor-General, not thinking lit, to he present Imre this day in person, has been pieased, in order to the opening and holding of this the first session of the twenty-fifth Parliament of New Zealand, io cause letters patent to be passed under the seal of the Dominion constituting us, the several honourable members of the Legislative Council named therein, his Commissioners to do all things in his Ex-

relieiiey’s name on his part necessary to be performed in this session of Parliament. This will more fully appear by the letters patent themselves, which must now be read. After the letters patent had been •ead, the Chief Commissioner continued: Honourable Legislative Councillors and gentlemen of the House of Rcprelatives.—Wo have it in command from his Excellency the Governor-

Genera! to inform you that on Tliurs-

day, the twenty-sixth day of March, at half-past two o'clock in the afternoon, his Excellency the GovernorGeneral will declare to you in person the cause of his calling this meeting of Parliament together. But since it is necessary that a, Speaker of the House of Representatives he first chosen, his Excellency requests that you, gentlemen of the. House of Representatives. repair to the place where you usually sit, and there make choice of a fit and proper person to fill that high and important office, mid that having chosen him, you present him at 11 o’clock in the forenoon of the twenty-sixth day of March at the Government House at Wellington for his Ex cel! ei icy ‘ s appro va 1. , Members of the House of Representatives then returned to their own Chamber and proceeded to the election of the Speaker.

MR BARNARD CHOSEN

A UNANIMOUS VOTE

After their return from the Legislative Council Chamber megibojcs of the House of Representatives were sworn in by the, Clerk of the House (Mr T. D. 11. Hall), who was acting as a special commissioner. Members then proceeded to elect a Speaker.

In moving that Mr VV. , Barnard lie elected Mr W. J. Jordan (Govmi-nic-nt, Mnnukau), Senior Government Whip, said Air Barnard had been member for Napier for seven years, during which time lie had particularly interested himself in and made himself familiar with Hie procedure of Parliament. “His professional training and career have equipped him with that clear and impartial judgment which is sc necessary in the discharge of the duties of the office and which has been so admirably exercised in this House bv our late Speaker, Sir Charles ■Stullnun. and previous Sneakers,” lie said. “We arc confident that to these great Speakers Mr Barnard will make an able and worthy successor. The position calls not only for mental alertness and complete knowledge of the Standing Orders, but also for considerable physical strength, as at times the duties occupy long hours and are arduous. Mr Barnard jiossosses all the necessary qualities, strength of character and body, determination, tact, and patience, and lie will, we are sure, preside over the proceedings as well as represent our branch of the Legislature with dignity and uphold the rights and privileges of members.”

'flic motion was seconded by Mr It. McKeen, Junior Whip. Mr 1L McKeen (Government), Wellington South, in seconding the motion, ■said: "It gives me the greatest of pleasure to second the nomination of Mr Barnard to the high and honourable position of Speaker. The election of Speaker is the highest honour that members of Parliament can bestow on a brother member. This occasion is a historic one in the Parliamentary annals of tins Dominion, inasmuch that lnv will he the first member of the Labour Party to he elected to that high office. Those of us who know Mr Barnard intimately know that lie is possessed of a kindly and courteous manlier, and by virtue of It is professional training and ability have every confidence that lie will uphold the honour and dignity of this House and maintain its Highest traditions. Previous Speakers held the respect and esteem of every member of this 11 onset, and we can havo every confidence in Mr Barnard that by his tact, judgment, and impartiality lie will he a worthy successor to those eminent gentlemen. It or these reasons, 1 feel honoured and privileged to second his nomination.’’

Mr Barnard expressed his thanks for the honour that had been done him and lor the generous terms (lie mover and seconder Imd used. He then .submitted Inmsell to tint iudgment of the 11 oust*.

I liere were no other nominations and ■Mr Laniard was escorted to the Chair by the proposer and seconder. In returning thanks for his election, Pi: Barnard said that the office was a tngh. one, and firmness, tact, and impartiality were expected from (he ■Speaker. He was the tenth in ]j,,e ol succession since 1854. Tlie stand an! had always hen a . high one The jornicr Speaker, Sir Charles Stalham, had pro\ided a fine example of what every Speaker should he. Mr Barmud said he believed that lie had the sympathy and good will of every men,, her. He would always endeavour to he fair and impartial and maintain the dignity of the House.