PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21116, 25 February 1932, Page 13

PARLIAMENT.

Ijf THE NEW SESSION. , OFFICIAL OPENING. I traditional ceremony. I JiOBD BLEDISLOE'S TART. j SPEECH IN THE CHAMBER. | I [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. I With traditional ceremony the official Opening of Parliament by the Governor- | General, Lord Bledisloe, was performed I to-day. The Vice-Regal party left Gov- | ernment House at 2.15, the departure beI ing signalled by a salute of 19 guns fired I by the Royal New Zealand Artillery from f Point Jerningham. Light rain fell as the party entered Parliament grounds, where His Excellency inspected the guard of honour, which was provided by St. Patrick's College cadets, while tho Lady Bledisloe was escorted to her place in the Legislative Council j Chamber. Her Excellency was presented with a bouquet by the speaker of the Legislative Council, Sir Walter Carncross, who also presented Mrs. Fqrbes with a bouquet. Among those present on the floor of tho Chamber was the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers. On entering Parliament House after in- ! gpecting the guard Lord Bledisloe was | by the Gentleman Usher of Black Rod, Mr. A. T. Bothamley, and members of the naval and military staffs. Taking his seat, , His Excellency commanded Black Rod to summon members of the House of Representatives, who shortly afterward filed in'and took their seats at the rear of the Chamber. They were preceded by the Speaker, Sir Charles Statham, who occupied a position in the centre of the Chamber facing His Excellency. The Speech from the Throne was then read by Lord Bledisloe, and members of the House of Representatives then returned to their own Chamber for a short sitting. • QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS. LEVEL OF INTEREST RATES. NO SUMMER TIME AMENDMENT. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. When the House of Representatives met after the official opening ceremony, Mr. W. E. Parry (Labour —Auckland Central) asked whether in view of the inadequacy of the present law to relieve the position of farmers and others with yr fixed financial obligations, the Government intended to make a substantial statutory reduction in interest rates, leases, etc., providing for the right of appeal against any such reduction to be extended to mortgagees or lessors. The Prima Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, replied that the Government would announce its policy in regard to fixed financial obligations at a later date. Mr. Parry asked whether it was the intention of the Government during this session to raise sufficient money within New Zealand to carry out a forward policy of primary and secondary industrial development as an alternative to raising taxes and lowering incomes to starvation level. The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, said he would make j a statement on the subject shortly. "Mr. R. A. "Wright (Wellington Suburbs) asked whether the Government would introduce legislation extending summer time from March 20 until April 3, so that it would include the Easter, holidays. Mr. Forbes replied it was not intended , to amend the S.immer Time Act. Mr. A. J. Murdoch (Marsden) gave notice of his intention to move the formal Address in Reply motion and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland, gave notice' of his intention to move an amendment to the Address-in-Reply motion. The House rose until 2.30 to-morrow. SERIOUS ATMOSPHERE. / ECONOMIC TOPICS RAISED. OFFICIAL STATEMENTS LATER. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] "WELLINGTON, "Wednesday. The first business sitting of Parliament to-day-j brief although it was, seemed to , reflect the seriousness of the times, for most of tlie subjects raised by members in notices of questions referred to matters directly related to the economic situation. Several tilts by Labour members indicated that the Government's recent actions (■ in establishing boards and commissions will be freely criticised during the session. Indeed, Mr. J. A. Lee asked for a return showing the number and cost of boards and commissions set up dyring the past year "to assist in'determining the Government policy." Ho tvever, his attempt at irony fell somewhat flat, for the House was in an unusually serious mood for an opening meeting. The Leader of tho Opposition, Jlr. 11. E. Holland, scored the only laugh of the sitting when he notified his intention of moving a no-confidence amendment to the Address-in-Reply motion. Members with urgent questions received little satisfaction from Ministerial benches, «ut early statements on several subjects of interest were promised. After paying tributes to memories of deceased legislators to-morrow afternoon, the House will adjourn until the evening, when the Address-in-Reply debate will be initiated. Arrangements will probably he made between the two parties forming the Coalition to curtail speeches irom the Government side, but judging by past experience, there will be many 1 speeches from Labour benches. Until the debate is concluded, little progress can °e made with mapping out the details of the session's work. Little new information was contained in the Speech from the Throne, which was Unusually brief and took only eight minutes to deliver. However, an important statement giving, details of the national finances will be made to tho House by the Minister of Finance, tho Hon. W. Downie Stewart, at an early Stage in tlie session and members will then be iri possession of facts regarding which they know now only broad outlines.