OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20600, 26 June 1930, Page 12

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

CEREMONY TO-DAY. PAGEANTRY AND BUSINESS. INFLUX OF MEMBERS. PREPARATIONS ACTIVELY AFOOT [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday, Parliament Building was a scene of bustling activity to-day when thero wa3 a large influx of. members from north and south, and the eve of the session finds the long-deserted lobbies wearing a business-like aspect. The United and Reform Parties held caucuses to-day. During an interval in the United Party's deliberations a meeting of Cabinet was held, but evidently the matters discussed were of domestic concern as no statement was issued. Tho United caucus resumed this evening.. The session, tho third of tho twentythird Parliament, will open at 2.30 p.m. to-morrow. It will be the first occasion on which the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, has officiated at the opening of Parliament. Accompanied by Lady Bledisloe, he will leave Government House at 2.15 p.m., his departure being signalled by the firing of a salute of 19 guns from Point Jerningham. Weather Not Promising. * The ceremony attendant upon the opening of a Parliamentary Bession is one of the few displays of pageantry New Zealand has borrowed from the Mother Country, but the indications this evening are nob favourable for a fine weather opening. Rain is falling and there has been a short hailstorm. On arrival at Parliament Building Their Excellencies will be receiived by a guard of honour, 100 strong, provided by the Rongotai College Cadets. After inspecting the guard Lord Bledisloe will proceed to the Legislative Council, where he will deliver tho fjjpeech from the Throne, the medium through which the Government's legislative proposals for the session are indicated. Brief sittings of both Houses of Parliament will follow. In the House of Representatives the first sitting usually brings numerous notices of questions from members anxious to fire their first salvoes at the earliest opportunity, but the -sitting is not expected to be a long one. Statement On Arapuni. The Minister of Public Works, Hon. W. B. Taverner, stated to-day that he would seek the earliest opportunity of making a statement to the House on the Arapuni situation, as he anticipates that the subject will be freely ventilated during the debate on the Improst Supply Bill on Friday. The Minister is anxious to make his statement prior to that, in order that mombers may be fully apprised of the latest developments. In any case it is probable that Friday's sitting will be a protracted one. The present plan is to pay tribute on Tuesday to the memory of former members who have died during the recess. Reference to Services. Those to whom reference will be made include Sir Thomar. Mackenzie, a member of the House from 1887 to 1912, including a short term in tho last-named year as Prime Minister, and latterly a member of the Legislative Council; Sir John Findlay, a member of the Ward Ministry from 1906 to 1911; and Mr. J. G. Harkness, member for Nelson from 1889 to 1893. It is also probable that mention will be made of the work of tho Hon. H. L. Michel, a prominent member of the Legislative Council for somo years. The stage will probably be set for the commencement of tho Address-in-Roply in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The mover will be Mr. C. H. Clinkard, Unitod member for Rotorua, and the seconder will be Mr. R. W. Hawke, United member for Kaiapoi. In the Legislative Council the mover will be the Hon. D. Buddo and the seconder, the Hon. J. Trcvethick, two of the six new mombers recently appointed to the Council.

REFORM PARTY CAUCUS. POLITICAL OUTLOOK VIEWED. ADJOURNMENT UNTIL FRIDAY. [BT telegraph.—special reporter.] * WELLINGTON, Wednesday. A caucus of the Reform members of Parliament was held to-day. The Senior Whip, Mr. J. Bitchener, subsequently stated that the meeting had mainly resolved itself into friendly discussions pertaining to the political position and the welfare of tho party. After sitting throughout the morning and afternoon tho meeting adjourned until Friday, when the party's attitude to the Government proposals outlined in the GovernorGeneral's speech will bo discussed. A resolution of sympathy was passed with Sir Joseph Ward in his illness. Sympathy was also expressed with Sir Maui Pomare and Sir Georgo Hunter, members of the party, who were prevented by indisposition from being present. All membors of the party were either present ut the mooting or accountod for. Particular pleasure was expressed at tho fact that the health of Mr. T. D. Burnett, member for Temuka, had improved sufficiently to enable him to bo present after a session's absence.

"NO GREAT PARTY MAN." MR. J. T. HOGAN'S POSITION. ALLEGIANCE OWED TO NONE. [H7 TEtJOTItAPH.—-OWN CORRESPONDENT:] MARTON, Wednesday. "I have, never beon a vory great party man, and at present I owo allegianco to no party,'' said Mr. J T. Hogan, member of Parliament for ' Rangitikei, in tlie course of an..addrees to tlie -Marfan Chamber of Commerco last evening. "I only hope that when Parliament meets,said Mr. Ilogari, '.'members will unite without reference to party in an endeavour to find 'a solution'of* tho .country's problems. Thcro is 110 time for party humbug, and. party differences should bo forgotten until conditions ifiiprove."