PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20601, 27 June 1930, Page 15

PARLIAMENT.

OPENING OF SESSION. THE OFFICIAL CEREMONY. FINE WEATHER PREVAILS. SCENE IN THE GROUNDS. I ■ - UNUSUALLY LONG SPEECH. , [BT TELECaAPff. —SPECIAL RErOßTvit.] WELLINGTON", Thursday. "With traditional ceremonial, the pr*»ent session cf the twenty-third Parliament was opened this afternoon. There was a bright sky overhead, and a stiff breeze with a distinct trace of Arctic chilliness kept the array of Sags on Parliament Buildings ceaselessly Sapping. Unusual interest attached to the opening ceremony as to-day marked the first occasion on which the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe. had officiated. The bc-om-inc of the guns on Fort Jerningham as thay began their salute proclaimed the departure of Their Excellencies and suite from Government House, and the sound of the last of the guns had scarcely died away when the Vice-Besal party came into view along Lambtcn Quay, preceded by two blue-uniformed motor-cyclists and two policemen on canterintr horses. The cars with the official party entered Parliament grounds by the Molesworth Street entrance, and at the instant the guard af honour of Rcngatai College cadets stationed at the main entrance to Parliament came to the Koyal salute. His Excellency mounted the steps of Parliament Buildings, turned to face the guard and the Artillery Band played the National Anthem. Viewed from the roof, the spectacle below was most picturesque. The trimly-kept grounds, with their closely-shorn lawns and patterned Sower beds, provided a vivid setting even cn a midwinter's day for the grouping of the official party, with their brilliant uniforms and the guard of the khaki-clad college boys with their soldierly bearing. Imprsssiva Guard cf Honour. There was nothing perfunctory" about His Excellency's inspection of the guard. No one ccnld fail to be struck by its splendid physique and uniform smartness, and Lord Bledisloe paused several times during the inspection to comment on the fine bearing or the company. The inspection over, 'His Excellency ■scended the steps to Parliament Buildings, whither Lady Bledisloe had preceded him, and the centre of interest changed to the Legislative Council. After takina his seat in the Council Chamber, His Excellency commanded Black Red to summon the House of Representatives, the members of which, preceded by the Speaker. Sir Charles Star ham, presently appeared. His Excellency then delivered the Speech from the Throne, which. like the one of a year ago, was unusually long, and took 25 minutes to read. His Excellency spoke in clear and measured tones, every word as it was spoken in his sonorous and cultured vpica being distinctly audible in every part of the chamber. The speech delivered, His Excellency and suite departed and the two Houses subsequently held short sittings. After the sittings had been concluded, members and Gmcials were entertained at a social gathering in Parliament Buildings by the Prime Minister, the Eon. G. W. Forbes, and Mrs. Forbes. Reaching Baal Business.

Is has already been indicated that the Government; win seek to force the pace this, session, as the Prime Minister hopes to leave toward the end of August to represent New Zealand at the Imperial Conference in London. The first clear hint of the desire for speed in reaching the real business of the session was given by tfie Prime Minister in tha Ecuse to-day. He intimated thai; after the transaction of formal business to-morrow, it was proposed to pay tribute to the memories of deceased legislators. An adjournment would then be made as a mark of respect, and the Hcus« would meet again in the evening / for the passing of the first Imprest Supply BilL Mr Forbes recalled thai under the new Standing Orders adopted last session the usual hour for meeting on Fridavs was 10.50 a»m., with an adjournment for the day at 5.3D p.m., hut on the present occasion he. thought it would belter suit the convenience of members to sit during the afternoon and evening. The Leader of the Opposition, the Sight Ham J. G. Ccates, said in past years it had been the practice to take the Imprest Supply Bill first and postpone the obituary tributes until the following Tuesday. Mr. Forbes: It has sometimes been done in the way I new propose. Mr. Coates: I can remember only one such occasion. 3lr. Forbes said his proposal would leave next week clear for the Address-in-Replv debate. There was nothing unusual about his request. The House then rose until 2.30 p.m. tomorrow. MOBSISGSIDE DEVIATION. / DECISION TO ABANDON. COMMISSION' SUGGESTED. [BT TZL£GHA=H. —SKECUX. P-ZPQ2TEH. ] v. -'.T-T.rVG-TQN. Thursday. A3 there is now a new Minister of Railways,' Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central) took the opportunity in the Hcuse to-day to seek to ascertain whether his views' differed from those of his pre- j decessor on the decision to abandon the Mcrningside railway deviation project. Mr. Parrv said he would ask the Minister, Hon. W. A. Veitch, whether he would consider setting up a commission to inquire into the economic value of the deviation. Mr. Parry suggested that such a commission should comprise two engineers and a representative approved by the chambers of commerce and locai bodies of the district. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. SHORT SiTTING HELD. [3X TZIXGP.APH. —rRZSS ASSOCIATION. ] j WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Legislative Council met at 3.10 this | afternoon. Sir Thomas Sidey gave notice to move I a motion of condolence with the relatives i of the late Mr. A. F. Lowe, Clerk of j Parliaments. He also moved a motion j congratulating Mr. E. W. Kane on his j appointment to the vacant position, expressing the opinion that the long experience of Mr. Kane in the House of Representatives would ensure a successful term in the Council. The Hen. D. Buddo gave notice of his intention to move the Address-ia-Beplv motion on Wednesday. Five new members, the Hons. W. Stevenson, D. Buddo, W. J. MeCallum, M. Fagan and Trsvithick were sworn in and took their seats. The Council adejumed at 3.30 until 2.30 to-morrow. ~