THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5428, 12 July 1879, Page 3

THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

•(Fib Piubss Association Special Wibb.)

WEiiiiNQios, July 11th,

The fourth seaaion of the sixth Parliament •was opened to-dny. The two Hcuaes met in (heir respective Chambera at 2 o'clock. In the Council Sir William' Firzherbert handed the Clerk his commission as Speaker, and took the chair. The commission appointing Sir William Fitzherbert, the Hon. Colonel \9hilmore, Hon. Major Bichmond, C.8., and the Hon. Sir IP. Bell commissioners to open Farbunent, was then read, and the House of Bepreaentatives having been first summoned to attend, Sir W. Fitzherbert informed both Homes that kU Excellency would on Tuesday declare to him bU reasons for calling them together, and the membera of the House of Bepresentalivej Bent back to their Chamber with, instructions to elect a Speaker. The Cltrk of the Houeo occupied his chair, and, under a special commission, Bwora in Mr J. 8.- Sbanks, of Mataura, Mr Jackson, of Hutt, an'l Mr D. Goldie, of Auokland City. Major CAMPBELL than read a letter from Sir Wm. Ktzhetbert aimout.cing his resignation/and thanking the Honee for past support. Sir GEOEGE GREY then ro-.e and s»id: Major Campbell, I more that the hon. member for Onebunga, Mr G. Maurice O'Eorke, do -take the chair as Speaker of this House. It iB not at all luceaiiry for me to say anythig regarding the fitnoss of Mi O'Rorke for the position. He ia a gentleman who lia? often presided in the Huubs as Acting Speaker,_and for many years he has occupied the position of Chairman of Committses.. He 13 well veised in Parliamentary law, and entirely cnveraant with the rales which guida this House iait3 proceeding*. As Acting-Speaker and Chairman of Committee} he has shown great firmness, and his ability to fill the offica for which he is now nominated is to ba your question. He is a gantlecaau who, by the courtesy of his man-1 neia, has- won the personal regard of a great majority of membera now present. lam certain tbas tho motion I am now moving will meet with general approval. _We could nut fiud a man who has Buped^r qualifications for the office, and I feol certain that the Houce will pass tbe resolution.. I feel sure that when he takes the chair Mr O'Korko will have the assistance of flVery member of the House in keeping order, and I am equally sura that nobody can say a word against him, or ( find "any fault wh&taver with my nomination.' I have much pleesare in proposing that Mr Georga Maurice O'Korke, the hon, iceinbir for Oaehunga, do tako the chair as Speaker of the House of Rapresentativts.—(Applausa) Major ATKINSON said: "After the remark* of the Premier it is not necessary for me to say mucb, but I desire to say (and I apeak after an experience of nearly 20 years) thatthsw is no gentleman in thi-< Honsa who haa a bettor knowledge of parliamentary la\v and custom than ,Mr O'Rorka. I believe bis deeltion oii auy point would be acoeptei by any member without hesitation, because that decision'would be Btriotly impartial, and governed by the laws and usages of Parliament. I have .great pleasure in seconding theinootion," ; Mr O'itOMCE said : " It would be afftctation on my pari; if I did not admit that I have some knowledge of Parliamentary practice, but at the same time I feel highly flattered by the eulogies that have been passed upon me by •the Premier and Major Atkinson. I cannot plead ignorance of the duties r?hich I shall be called upon to perform if you elect me to the honourable position for which I hate been nominated. About quarter of a century since, Sir Chos. Cii£firu\ whoss portrait how adorns the3e walls, was elected Speaker of this House, and ever sinC3 then I have been connected with this Legislature. I saw Sir David Mnnio installed as Speaker, aid I eat under him, and I do not believe his efficiency could bs paralleled in any Colonial legislature. It is not necessary for me to pass any encomiums upon that, gentleman's ' suceesaors iri office, suffice to say. that'they, were -all able men. I have teen both Sir Dillon Bell \ and Sir William Fitzharhart elected as Speakers of tuij House, and I lejoico to know that they did good service ta the Colony, snd that they are n6w shedding! a lustre' on the other branch of the Legislature.' While I admit that I have some knowledge of the duties of Speaker, I am still aware of the .crave responsibility attaching to tho.oifica, but n**v/E JW"ff~ ti:rt=r:-r-fe4 oouacioua that should any difficulty ev.er.sriie 1 saaii-nava • the support and o-opcration of this House in preierrirgl that crdsr which should characterise Parliamentary proceedings. It is nectssary that in «f p.'iu'.iiig a Speaker you should t-eljct one who would cast aside hi* private feelings and .give hw .deoiaioas- acoorthutr as. his c mscience directed him. For myseif I may;tay that I wi)l always do that. It I am elected I shall divest nryfelf of. pArty fceiiflKS either on one Mile or the other, and it",shall b'e')iny endeavour to hold tha scales imparfally /and I Irast it will nover.bo my lot, in prtscrving order in'this iiouse, to wound the feelings of any ho a. mismber.. But .in order that "your Spoaker phnnld hava tffeotivo control over"the Eotmo it ia'rjece!S3.ry -that-there .'should bo extead'd to h'va that • co-of ei-ijtion wbiei is nece3smy, and If esl that you teyixvterid it to xao. I knuw that; there will be required at my hands impqrlia i'-y ami firrnn>ys in maintaining order, and my ti' s 'heßt ambition'will be that when I c-*se to hold f ffico I shall bo hdclin as high eHiitm ua lappeir to bo at present."— (ApflaiiSf.) ■ : ! Thenootiori vrastliea carried, and: -'-■" Mr O'HOEKE advanced to the Spsatier'u Chair, accompanied; by Lis proposer..- and seconder. Standing on tho s'.eps, he said:'.." I feel desiroiis of txor.j33inj my gratification at the honour you have conferred tipm ins. I feel that the honour you hnye dona mo1 is enhanced by tho unaaimity with which tho motion proposed by the Breiuier waa carried. There are only two officos, which you could confor ; upon me, and eno of these yon had previously conferrsd. Now you ba«e done nw: thehonouiof olectinj; ffiO'to tho Speaker's Chair/and I hope that when I vacate this po«!tiqn: I shall find th»t I havß not forfs-ited your.estseni,- nor done arjything which would cause you to regret having reposed this confidence in me to-day."— (Applaufe.) • : Mr WHITAKERsaid: "Mr Speaker, IHso for thepurpoa i of cbngratulatin? you on.this occasion of your tali ing tlie Speaker's Ohnic; SVe havo sat tugether in tEioHoo.se toi many voira, bat we hnvo BflJom'j if ever, sat on the .same aide of tho HoU-e. Ido not apeak well of :yo« becsiusa wo are.fiii-ntlH, bnt because I iepl that youaie a man of' meris. I h?.vo now ba«n a member of this Howe fc-rabfut 25 y^ars, and consequently have hal a gr«>t deal of < .xyerienee of tho oharactera of tbo Sprakers ; but I have nevrr known anybotiy who haa im; ressed me as Leing 'aln'iiM ,'impartial man than yourself.— (ApjilarW^).-'After Whai has already been raid, it ia uenecassary for metor.pe:,k at great lergth; but I will express, the hope, with you, tlist whoii you' rotiro from the position of Speaker of thia House, you vail be held in th.« rafnehigh estimation as you arei at pressnt.' I congratulate y.'m moss' sincerely; oa your tikirg ( tiie Bpeak^rsliip.—(Applame^) I m»Te thut thia Houbj cio now adjourn till the usu*l b<.ur on Toßsday nest."- ■;■■ Tho House tlien aHjourncd. ~ . In tho' L»git:l».tKo Council tha Horil Mr Dignan was sworn in, aud the Hoxisa ad jonrnsd till Tuesday.