NEW PARLIAMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 25 January 1944, Page 4

NEW PARLIAMENT

FORMAL OPENING ON 22nd FEBRUARY Wellington, Jan. 24. The Acting Prime Minister (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) announced to-day that Parliament will assemble on Tuesday, 22nd February. As this is a new Parliament it will be formally opened by a commission of Legislative Councillors duly appointed by the GovernorGeneral, this being in accordance with the constitutional procedure. The swear-ing-in of members of the House of Representatives will follow and also the election of a Speaker, for which office the Government has already decided to nominate Mr F. W. Schramm, member for Auckland East. Before the Governor-General can meet Parliament the House of Representatives must elect its Speaker, and this is the reason for the opening of the session by Commission. Having elected its Speaker, the House of Representatives will join with the Legislative Council the folowing day for the ceremonial opening and the reading by His Excellency of the Speech from the Throne. MR HOLLAND’S CRITICISM Wellington, This Day. “It is good to have the announcement that Parliament is to meet, but the date fixed. 22nd February, is not soon enough.” commented the Leader of the Opposition. Mr Holland, yesterday. “Several burning questions of the hour have demanded the early summoning of Parliament. When Parliament does meet, that hour will be far past. “Since I expressed the view in Auckland on Ist December that the calling together of Parliament should not be unduly delayed, some urgent questions have arisen. The Opposition has pressed for an early assembly of Parliament, but the Government has adhered to a date approximately that mentioned shortly after the general election. It is far too late.”