NEW PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21115, 24 February 1932, Page 11

NEW PARLIAMENT.

members swqrn-in.

APPOINTMENT OF SPEAKER.

r SIR CHARLES STATHAM.

CEREMONIAL OPENING TO-DAY.

[BY TELEGRAPJT.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] "WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The first session of tlio twenty-fourth New Zealand Parliament was formally opened this afternoon. A brief ceremony U was' held in tlio Legislative Council Chamber, when the letters patent of the Commission appointed to initiate the proceedings were read. The Commission 'consisted of Sir Walter Carucross. Speaker of the Legislative Council, Sir James Parr, Leader of the Legislative Council, the Hon. R. Masters, Minister of/Education, Sir Francis Bell and Sir Thomas Sidey. / Adjourning to the House of Representatives, members were swom-in by the Clerk of the House. The new House includes only 11 members who were not in the previous Parliament. Mr. J- A. Macpherson (Oamaru) moved that Sir Charles Statham be appointed Speaker. The motion was seconded by Jlr. G. R- Sykcs (Masterton), and was adopted unanimously. Mr. Macpherson' referred to the high itandard maintained by successive Speakers, including Sir Charles Statham, w ] lo had held office 7 since 1923. He said when one took this into consideration, it was not surprising that tho New Zealand House of Representatives stood probably second to' 110110 in the Empire for decorum and good behaviour. Mr. Sykcs said Sir Charles Statham's capabilities had been so tested and proven * that it was not necessary to elaborate on ( Jus qualifications. After the Speaker had taken the eliair, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, as Leader of the House, congratulated Sir Charles on his appointment-, and said it was a matter for pride iliat the New Zealand Parliament was able to stand comparison with any other Legislature in the world. He assured Sir Charles that the session would supply him with plenty of employment, as there would be a constat succession of business, and he believed a constant succession of ipeeches. / Mr. li. E. Holland, on behalf of tho Opposition, added his congratulations. He gaid Sir Charles' unfailing courtesy and undeviating impartiality had always been jppreciated by the Labour Party, which shared pride in the fact that New Zealand's House of Representatives compared more than favourably with almost any Parliament in the world. Sir Charles, in replying, recalled his entry to Parliament as a new member 20 years ago. There were now only ten members of that House in the present Parliament, Sir Apirana. Ngata being the father of the House and Mr. Forbes the next oldest member. He expressed appreciation of the honour conferred upon him. The House rose at 3.30 to 2.30 tomorrow afternoon, when the Speech from the Throne will be delivered by the Governor-General. LABOUR PARTY CAUCUS. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. MR. HOLLAND LEADER IN HOUSE. i [BY TELEGRAPH.—rRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The Labour Party caucus re-elected Mr. | H. E. Holland leader in the. House; Mr. I M. J. Savage, deputy-leader; Mr. P. I Fraser, secretary; and Mr. W. E. Barj nard, assistant-secretary. Messrs. D. G. Sullivan and E. J. Howard were reappointed Whips. A motion of sympathy was passed with ! Mr. Savage in his illness and the hope was i expressed that it would soon be possible for him to take his seat in the House. CHANGES IN PERSONNEL. ELEVEN NEW MEMBERS. / BRIEF SITTINGS TO-DAY. [by TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] "WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

How slight were the changes wrought in the personnel of Parliament by the general election was shown to-day when the new House of Representatives aslembled for the first time following the opening of Parliament by Commission. There were only 11 new members, a marked contrast, to the expeiience following the meeting of Parliament after the 1928 elections. Of the new meTi the Hon. A. I). McLeod (Wairarapa), Mr. J. A. Lee (Grey Lynn) and Mr. D. S. Held (Raglan) had been in the House before, eo actually there were only eight new faces. The formalities attendant on the opening session of a Parliament lack the usual initial touch of pageantry, as members have first to be sworn-in and the Speaker has to be elected. However, the ceremonial inauguration of Parliament by the Governor-General. Lord Bledisloe, to-mor-row will be a more colourful occasion. There were five absentees from the House at the opening sitting to-day, nanielv. Sir Apirana Ngata, Messrs. A. E. Ansell, P. A. de la Perelle, J. 0 Brien and M. J. Savage. Members were sworn'in in batches of four. Sir Charles Stat nam, who was subsequently elected Speaker for the fourth term, sat in the body ol the Chamber, sharing a bench with .Jr. E. F. Healy, while the preliminaries were in progress. In spit' Hf injuries received in a recent accident; 11. M- Rushworth (Bay of Islands) attended the opening meeting ami came forward to the Clerk's table on crutches when his name was called. A notable absentee front to-day's proceedings was Major H. JL Brown, who recently resigned tha position at-Arms, a post he had filled since Th o duties are being temporarily carried out by Mr. G. F. Bothamly, of the Legislative Department. Sir Charles Statham will present himself for tlie Governor-General's approval

-to-morrow. Following His Excellency's Speech from the Throne to-morrow afternoon, brief /Sittings of both Houses will be held, but -the business will bo mainly formal. There is usually keen competition among members to bombard Ministers with questions during the first business sitting, and that experience will no doubt be repeated tomorrow. ' Death has claimed six former members of Parliament during the recess and tributes to their services w.ll be paid on Thursday afternoon. The deceased legislators are/ Mr. E. P. T-oe, for Oamaru, from 1911 to 1922 nnrl 1925 to 1928. ami a former Minister of Justice; Sir John Luke, member for Wellington Suburbs from 1900 to 1911 and for "Wellington North from 1918 to 1928; the Hon. "W. Enrnshaw, member for Peninsula and later Dur.edin City, from 18S0 to 1896 and a Legislative Councillor from 1913 to the time of his death; Mr.• Walter, member for Stratford from 1925 to 1928; Mr. J. Witheford. Auckland City member from 1900 to 1905; Mr. Charles Wilson, member for Wellington Suburbs / from 1837 lo 1899. but better known as former chief librarian at the General Assembly libr&ry. The Address-in-Reply debate will be Initiated on Thursday evening.