THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13631, 28 June 1906, Page 7

THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

MR GUINNESS ELECTED

BPEAKEK.

(FBDU OUB OWN CORRE3Pondiht.)

WELLINGTON, June 27. The first session of the sixteenth Parliament of New Zealand, which bids fair to Prove ono of the shortest on record, was formally opened by Commission this afternoon.

Tliero was a good attendance of members of both branches of tho Legislature, but, needless to say, there was one blank of which all old parliamentary hands and habitues of the House could not fail to l>e conscious. It was the palpable void created by the absence of tho long-familiar figure and dominating personality of the lata Premier that distinguished the ceremony, with its stereotyped formality and repelition of time-worn phrases, from previous similar functions. The opening ceremony, which was conduclcd in the Legislative Council Chamber, was of a dull and 'Uninteresting character. About 20 members of the Council, were present. There was only a fair sprinkling of "strangers," most of tho visitors devoting their attention to tho proceedings iu tho popular Chamber. At 2.50 the Speaker of the Council (the Hon. C. C. Boweu), who acted as Chief Commissioner, was announced, and Ihe Commissioners, of whom only the Hon. Mahuta was absent, quietly and gravely filed in, and took their seats at tho head of the Chamber. The usual announcement as to tho purpose of tho gathering having lawn made, the members of tho Lower llouro were sent for. and I hey presently arrived in full force. The- members of the Ministry walked in Crst, beaded by the Premier (Mr Hall-Jones), on whom so much nnlookod-for responsibility lias fallen during the past two or three weeks. Ho looked rather palo and grave, although quite cool and collected.

Mr Speaker having made an announcement of the reason for requesting the prescnco of the representatives from " the other place," the Clerk of the Council read tho Commission from the Governor, a very formal and uninteresting document, to which neither " trusty and loving subjects " present nor their legislators listened with any very marked degree of attention. This portion of tho ceremony having been completed, tho Speaker informed members that tho session would be officially opened by the Governor to-morrow, and that his Excellency had requested that tho members of tho Houso of Representatives should " repair to the place where yon do usually sit," and there make choice of a fit and proper person to fill tho high and important oflico of Sneaker, tho member elected to be required to ho presented to his Excollenoy for approval on the following morning. Tho proceedings, which occupied about 10 minutes, then terminated.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

In tho Lower House there was a large attendanco of members, and an unusually largo attendaneo of onlookere, to see tho swearing-in. The ordinary galleries were full, and the Ladies' Gallery was packed to tho doors. Wonwn aro evidently going to take a keen interest in the new Parliament. At. 2.30 p.m. the iSergcant-at-arms announced "a Message from his Excellency's Commissioners." Mr Rot-ham!}', the Usher of tho Black Red, then appeared, and addressing lion, members said;

" Gentlemen,—The Legislative Council, authorised by virtue of the Governor's Commission, desires the attendance of tho House forthwith to hear the Commission read.' 1 Members then trooped out, listened to the Commission, and in about 10 minutes' timo were hack in the Iloase.

Mr Hall-Jones was in the scat that used to be occupied by Mr Soddou, while Mr Carroll was in Sir Joseph Ward's seat.

At 15 minutes to 3 Mr Otterson, the Clerk, commenced to swear in the newHouse of Representatives. The members were called forward in batches of four, reprated the oath, kissed the Bible, and then proceeded to the end of tho long table, where they signed tho inenibership roll, Ttie first name called was that of an absentee—Mr Aitken, of Wellington, who, like Sir Joseph Ward, Mr Fowlds, and Mr M'Xab, is returning from a visit abroad. In tho second quartet. Mr Baume, the only Jew in the House, was noticeable from the fact that he alono of all the members (according to the custom of his religion) kept his list on while ho w?.s being sworn in. Tho new members were closely seiutinised as they came forward. Mr Hogan was amongst one of tho early batches, and someone remarked as he came forward, "That's tho man who stood up to Diok in open meeting," referring no doubt, to an incident in tho recent election campaign at Wanganui. Apparently Mr Hogan. in one respect, at all events, will be a desirable acquisition. He will have the courage to express his real opinions. Mr Houston, who was very ill at tho close of last session, returned looking very much stronger, and apparently nono tho worse for his election campaign. Quite a number of (lie new men, one could not holp noticing, were bald, or becoming bald. Tho smiling-faccd Ngata, the new Maori member, who disrdaced Wi Pere, was a contrast to these with his thick crop of dark hair. Mr Poland, a tallish, stronglooking man, who defeated Mr Moss, and Mr Poole, a breezy, American-looking man, who looks as if ho would bo energetic and a talker, attracted attention. Mr Slalworthy. who defeated Mr Harding, turned out. to'bo a sloutish man with spectacles. 'l'hore was ono very pathetic figure in the assemblage, Mr Stevens, now blind and somewhat frail, walked the old familiar ways without seeing anyone or anything, for since ho was last- in the House ho has lost his eyesight. He was guided lo the table by Mr Hogg, and groped his way back to his seat with tho assistance of the same member. Members having boon duly sworn in, Mr Otterson announced that the House would proceed to the election of a Speaker. Mr Guinness was dulv proposed antl seconded, and after a brief pause, as there was no other nominations, ho rose, and returned thanks to hon. members for conferring upon him tho highest honour in the gift of the House of Representatives. Ho formally announced that he would submit himself to hon. judgment, I:Io was then conducted bv his proposer nnd seconder towards the Speaker's chair, and there, standing on the first step of the dais, he again returned thanks for the high honour conferred upon him. He then took his scat in tho chair without his robes or wig, and the Sergcant-at-Arms | advanced and laid the mace on tho table. The Premier and tho Leader of the Opposition having offered their congratulations, the House, at 21 minutes past 3 p.m., adjourned till 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.