OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8472, 24 January 1891, Page 5

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wblvjngton, Friday. The first session of the eleventh Parliament of New Zealand was opened by commission to-day. Sir F. Whitaker, Mr. Stevens, and Mr. Baillie were the Commissioners. Sixteen Councillors were present, and fifty-four members of the Lower House.

THE NEW SPEAKER OP THE COUNCIL. After the formal proceedings were over, Sir H. Atkinson, who had sent in his resignation an hour or two before, and been sworn in before the Governor, was introduced by Sir F. Whitaker to the Speaker's chair, and announced appointments to the Council, and swore in Messrs. Ormond and C. J. Johnston. They made no speech, and none was made by the councillors. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. In the Lower House the first business was the swearing-in of members, who took the oath by batches of four to the number of 68. Messrs. Allen, Goldie, Buckland, T. McKenzie, and Sir H. Atkinson were absentees. ELECTION OP SPEAKER. The Clerk then announced that the House would proceed to the election of Speaker. Mr. Saunders expressed regret that they were not in a position to re-elect Sir M. O'Rorke, to whose special qualifications for office he paid a high tribute. He thought the election of Speaker should not be made a party question. Two gentlemen had been named for the position, Mr. Rolleston and Major Steward, both of whom had a certain amount of qualification for it. Thinking as he did, and being an independent member, he ventured to propose Mr. Rolleston, who, of the two, he thought had the best claim.

Mr. Thomson (Bruce) seconded the nomination, referring to Mr. Rolleston's lengthy Parliamentary and official experience in terms of praise. He also cjnsidered the question should not be made a party one. Mr. Seddox agreed that the position should be given to the man who had the best claims apart from any party feeling. Without wishing to detract from Mr. Rolleston's qualifications, he ventured to think Major Steward was still more fitted for the Chair. He had sat in seventeen sessions in the House, and had often been called on to act as Chairman of Committees. Mr. Kolleston had been absent for some years, and was not so well up in Parliamentary matters as Major Steward. The latter also had never been a strong partisan though always faithful to his party. They had heard there were other members as well fitted as these two. If so, why did not their own party bring them forward ? He referred to the late Chairman of Conmittees, and concluded by moving that Major Steward do take the chair as Speaker. Mr. O'Con'ok seconded the nomination of Major Steward. He could not see anyone in the House who had as good a claim. Mr. Rolleston's experience was moro of a Minister than of a member of the House.

Mr. Hutchison (Dunedin) took the opportunity to say that the salary of Speaker was too much. He hoped whatever Government might come in it would consider the propriety of reducing the salaries of all officers of the House. He would himself move in that direction.

Mr. Kolleston said the honour for which he was proposed was entirely unsought or unsolicited by him. He appreciated the dignity of the position ; and, if elected, it would be with great diffidence, remembering those who had gone before, that he should fill the seat they had held. Major Steward thanked his proposers for the kinaly terms in which they had mentioned him. Ho felt that the conduct of the occupant of the chair was sure to be contrasted with the demeanour of former Speakers, and if elected then lie would in deed be pleased if he could feel that he was not an unworthy successor to the gentleman who had so ably filled the position. He reminded the House that they themselves could help the Speaker not a little to fulfil the duties expected from him. It would be his earnest endeavour in such a position to keep before him the high traditions that had always been attached to the chair.

The Clerk pub the question that Mr. Rolleston be elected Speaker : Ayes, '29 ; noes, 36. Major Steward was then elected without division. His proposer and seconder escorted him to the Speaker's chair, which he ascended, and briefly returned thanks. The following was the division list: — AyKri, 29. Bryce Moore Buchanan bowman Chitoll Rhodes J. . .lie Richardson '! .gus Russell .tall Saunders Hamlin Swan Harkness Taipua Lawry Thompson, R. (M'sdn) Macarthur Thompson, T. (Aclt.) Macdonald Thomson (Bruce) Mackenzie (Mt. Ida) Valentine Meredith Wiison Mills (Port Chalmers) Wrighb Mitchelson Noes, 36. Ballance Kelly (East Coast) Bluke Mackintosh Buick Mackenzie (Waitaki) Cad man Mills, C. U. (Waimea) Cairncrosß O'Oonor Dawson Palmer Duncan Parata Eurnshaw Perceval Fish Pinkerton Fisher Rees Guinness Reeves (Inangahua) Hall Seddon Jones Shera Hogg Smith (N. Plym'th) Houston Smith (Waipawa) Hutchison (Waib'tara)Tanner Hutchison (Dunedin) Taylor Joyce Ward Kelly (Invercargill) IV'rs. —F. McKenzie, aye; Reeves (Christchurch), no. RESIGNATION OF THE MINISTRY. Mr. Mitch announced that the Premier had tendered the resignation of himself and Government to the Governor. Ministers were now only occupying the benches till their successors were appointed. Mr. Ballanck congratulated Major Steward, and went on to announce that His Excellency had asked him to form an administration, and that he had accepted the task. He had not yet had time to consult his friends, but hoped to be in a position to make an announcement to the House by Tuesday. Mr. Mitchklson moved the adjournment of the House till Tuesday at two p.m. Major Hamlin congratulated the Speaker heartily, and said he would freely have his assistance should he desire it.

The adjournment was agreed to, and the House ro.-=e at four p.m.

THE NEW if '.NISTIIV. It is not supposed t > names of the new Cabinet will be made ..nown till Monday. The following are those most generally given in the conjectural list :— Messrs. Ballance, W. P. Beeves, J. McKenzie, Seddon, Buckley, and Bees or Cad man, more probably the latter. The selection of an Auckland member is understood to be one of the new Premier's chief difficulties. Mr. Fisher is generally regarded as likely for the chairmanship of committees. With regard to the time which the new Ministry will ask to formulate a policy, members of the party make no secret of their opinion that Mr. Ballance ought to have two months if he asks for it. In that case the present session will be cut short;, and another convened for April.