OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20603, 30 June 1930, Page 3

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIAL, ECONOMY CAMPAIGN SESSION. [BT TELEGEAPH. —OW«- COEEZSFOXDENTw] WELLINGTON, Saturday. The opening of Parliament, in spit® of the frantic rush for tickets, is generally a dull replica of former ceremonies, but this year it had special features and was the prelude to a session fraught with exciting possibilities. A new Prima Minister led his Cabinet, new Ministers wore taking up their heavy responsibilities, both Houses bad new. clerks, and, most interesting of all tho attractions, there were our new Governor-General and his lady. So, in spite of tho crush and the weary wait, it was only to bo expected that there would be a record attendance. But over all the pomp and ceremony, there hung a shadow—the remembrance of the past leader lying ill in the old Parliamentary residence that has seen so many Premiers como and go. 7 As was to be expected from the rather belated Government slogan, "Economy," thero has been little done to renovate tbo House. Tho ballroom aud the lower corridors are painted ivory white and it is to be hoped legislators will . not be tempted to writer their names on the walls, even though, as at Eton, a later generation may look on the signatures with reverence.

Crowded Galleries. Long before two o'clock t<n Thursday the galleries were packed with women sitting on the steps and the floor or sharing a seat with a neighbour. Even then there were crowds of people outside the doors who complained sadly of tfio practice of issuing more tickets than there were scats."' It should not be necessary for • ticket-holders to go hours ahead to see the ceremony iu comfort. A few variations in procedure added to- the dignity "of the ceremony. The venerable councillors entered en masse, instead of wandering in by twos and threes, and it was interesting to watch the fraternal greetings, one stately member extending both hands of welcome to a friend. The little group of distinguished ladies, in their richly-tinted frocks, mada a telling contrast to the - Councillors, -a domino-like mass of black and white with cheery pink dots. Her Excellency was a most charming ■ figure as she sat on the dais. She was .dressed in softest green and white with touches of silver and a lovely note of colour in her shoulderknot of pink and her beautiful bouquet, which, as was Sirs. Forbes' posy, was an artistic offering from the Speaker., of the Upper House. - The Official Group. Another slight change was that the Speaker, instead of sitting in an armchair. which somewhat impeded the stately progress of His Excellency when leaving the chamber, stood during the Speoch from the Throne. This was unusually lengthy, but the immobility of the picturesque trio—the Speaker, the whose barrister's wig was another effective note, and the sergeant-at-armi—wps marvellous. Probably them was an-un-spoken rivalry between tbem and the military as to keeping absolutely rigid. His Excellency, a brilliant figure in .his uniform, read the somewhat pessimistic Speech in the most charming of voices, clear, resonant, not in the least forced, and with an intonation that Hollywood would yearn to utilise. The little military group beside the dais was not ,so gay as in bygone years, when consuls appeared in their various inpiforms, arid the drab of khaki was unknown, but still it was imposing-and dignified, and the scarlet-clad warriors behind th« Throne made joyful splashes -of colour. Up in the galleries the British Trada Commissioner was notable in ' his dark blue with gold embroideries. Altogether it was a very impressive ceremony, carried out in all detail with dignity and consideration, if one may except tha melapcholy demand for.seats that did not exist. Proceedings in the House. * When the Lower House was gained, the galleries were packed, while again more crowds were gathered about the doors. As usual, there was the avalanche of questions and notices of motion, mostly from the Labour benches, Government men not being so inquisitive or insistent. Labour always recognises tha value of keeping itself in the public eye; even though there may not be ther. faintest chance of a request being grafted, an effort has been made, and constituents will recognise the member has done his* best. . Many of these motions involved expenditure, and thd present is no time for that. Economy is the war-cry of the Government, though one can scarcely reconcile that call with the endless peregrinations of Ministers all through the recess until the Prime Minister told them to stay still and work. Economy is -a virtue of very recent cultivation, but evidently the Government is in earnest about it. I always forget what is the enormous sum a minute's talk costs in Parliament. but might it not further their aim and object if oratory were? to' bo curtailed ? And how does it r square with the professions of the Government when six new Councillors, worthy though they may be, are appointed ?

A Social Interlude. lime, as well as money, the Government does not intend to waste, and, on Thursday, instead of joining the cheerful throng in . tho old ballroom, members listened to a lengthy report on Arapuni. So it was quite late when they came .to the very delightful At Home given by the Prime Minister and Mrs. Forbes. When they did arrive Ministers and members cast off for a time the worries present and to come and enjoyed themselves. It was quito fascinating to shelter in', a backwater from the surging crowd, watching the greetings of old friends and picking out notablo personages. One picturesque figure, Sir Robert Stout, was missed. He has been ill for some time. Lady Bledisloe, m black velvet and white furs, moved about among the guests after tea greeting friends and making new acquaintances. It was a delightful affair, well arranged and thoroughly enjoyed. The hostess wore a charming frock 'of wine-coloured lace and crepe do chine,'and carried a bueatiful bouquet. ■„ Altogether tho reception was a pleasant prelude to what promises to be a most momentous session, fraught with difficulties and dangers.. If, as is hinted, economy is to take the form of a cut -in salaries. Labour's protestations suggest it will resist tho. proposal. That would be something it conld not swallow, as last year it did increased land taxation and customs duties. With the urgent cry for economy, too, members should not press for a repetition of £IOO they received last year. .

, Among Jhe dead Parliamentarians who were mourned on Friday was.Sir Thomas Mackenzie The last, time I heard, him speak was on the subject of Alsatian dogs. Ho was strongly. Against their breeding and importation. . Very siifceie tributes from the three leaders were paid to Sir Thomas' strength *of •!; .raitcr, kindness and courtesy, Sir John Findlay, 100, was remembered by the House with great affection aud admiration, the Labour Leader especially recalling how, when he was new to Parliament, Sir John helped him. It is sad to think that these fitie appreciation's of two outstanding liguves in New Zealand are uttered after death has closed - th« cava of those v/ho. aie praised.