NEW PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23381, 24 June 1939, Page 17

NEW PARLIAMENT

OPENING OF SESSION SPEECH FROM THRONE NEXT WEEK'S PROCEDURE SPEAKER AND CHAIRMAN [BY TELEGRAFIT —MFECTAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Friday preparations are now almost complete for the opening of the first session of New Zealand's 26th Parliament next week. The opening 011 Tuesday by a commission of five members of the Legislative Council will be purely a formality, but the usual ceremonial will be observed at the official opening the following day, when the GovernorGeneral, Viscount Galway, will read the Speech from the Throne. Although the relative strength of the parties lias been changed little by the general election last October, several of the members will be taking their scats in the House of Representatives for the first time. Sixteen of the members, nine of whom are supporters of tlu ional Party, are having their first Parliamentary experience. The .new members 011 the Government side include Mrs. C. Stewart (Wellington West), who is the second woman to obtain a seat in tho New Zealand Parliament. Preliminary Formalities After the commission to open Parliament has been read in tho Legislative Council chamber to members of both Houses, members of the House of Representatives will return to their own chamber to be sworn in by tho Clerk of the House, Mr. T. D. H. Hall. The election of a Speaker will then take place. The Hon. W. E. Barnard (Napier) is to be nominated for a further term, and his election is assured. One of the first official duties of tho Speaker will be to call formally 011 tho Governor-General and lay claim on behalf of the House to all its privileges. Formal business only will be transacted b v the House of Representatives following tho reading 011 Wednesday of the Speech from the Throne, which is- expected to give an outline of the legislative programme for the session. When the House resumes on Thursday *ll Imprest Supply Bill will be taken. Urgency will be taken for this measure eo that*it can be put through all stages at the one sitting. As members discuss almost any subject they wish 011 a bill of this nature, a late sitting is likely. Deceased Legislators Before the measure can be proceeded with it will be necessary to elect a Chairman of Committees in succession to the late Mr. E. J. Howard. Mr. R. McKeen (Wellington South) is to be nominated bv the Government for this office and his election can be taken for granted. Death has taken an exceptionally heavv toll of legislators and former legislators since Parliament was in session last year,'and tributes of respect to their memory will be taken in the House on Friday. The late members to be commemorated in this way are: — Sir Thomas Wilford, the Hon. A. D. McLeod, Dr. H. T. J. Thacker, the Eon. W. Snodgrass, Mr. E. J. Howard, Mr. Taite Te TOlllO, Mr. G. Mitchell, Mr. D. T. Fleming, Mr. J. W. Kelly, Mr. W. W. Tanner and Mr. T. Buxton.