FORMAL OPENING

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24825, 23 February 1944, Page 7

FORMAL OPENING

' - NEW PARLIAMENT AN HOUR'S BUSINESS •SWEARING-IN OF MEMBERS (S.R.) W ELLINGTON. Tuesday The formal opening of the new Parliament which was elected in September of last year, the swearing-in of members and the election of the new Speaker were completed in exactly one hour this afternoon. In accordance with customary procedure, the opening was carried out by a commission of six members of the Legislative Council in its chamber. After the chief commissioner, the Hon. M. Fngan, Speaker of the Council, had rend the commission's authority, lie commanded the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, Captain D. I. C. Bryan, to summon members of the House of Representatives to the legislative chamber. Headed by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Eraser, and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. G. Holland, the members filed into the chamber and heard the commission read. , Keturn to the House 011 completion of the formalities in the legislative chamber, the Speaker of the Council, authorised the members of the House "to return to their chamber and to be sworn in, and to elect a Speaker, who would be required to attend at Government House to-morrow for the Governor-General's approval. When members had taken their seats, the Clerk of the House, Mr. T. D. H. Hall, proceeded with, the swearing-in, calling upon members alphabetically in groups of four. Seven members were sworn by affirmation, and the others took the oath on the Bible. Six Members Absent Six members were absent—the Minister to Washington, the Hon. W. Nash; Brigadier J. Hargest (Opposition ■—Awarua), who is at present overseas; Mr. W. J. Poison (Opposition—Stratford); Mr. H. T. Ratana (Government —Western Maori); Mr. J. A. McL. Ro.v (Opposition—Clutha); and Mr. W. A. Bodkin (Opposition—Central Otago). The House then proceeded to appoint 0 Speaker in place of the former holder of that office, the Hon. W. E. Barnard, who lost his seat- (Napier) at the general election. Mr. F. TV. Schramm (Auckland East) was unanimously elected and installed. At a Government caucus held last October Mr. Schramm was selected for appointment. The House adjourned at 3.30 until 2.30 to-morrow afternoon, when His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, will deliver the Speech from the Throne. 1