OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Patea Mail, Volume XXXVII, 13 June 1913, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

The Procedure to be Followed There being no rule of ex-officio or automatic succo«aion on the demise of the Speaker, Parliament will assemble on June 2Gth without any officer possensing the constitutional authority to preside oyer its dolihera'ions. From the point of view of the SpeakersVp, the posibcn will be analogous to that at tee opening of ihs first session of a new Parliament, when mombars are convoked by Commissioner* acting up on the authority of the Governor-in' Council. This procedure will be fo!«« lowed at the opening of the forthcoming session. The standing orders of the House of E present,itives provide that the assembled members, hivirg received a message “ for opening the Parliament ” from the Commissioners, no no to ths Lofi lutive Council. The 0' mmissioners int'uuto that it his Excellency’s wish that members should proceed to choose some proper person to bo thoir Speaker and the House returns ’Thereupon, the House will immediately proceed to elect a Speaker. If there be more than two candidates, votes shall bo taker for each candidate separately until the number is reduced to two. The successful candidate is required to have an absolute majority of members then present. Upon being conducted to the chair, he “ ro'urns his humble acknowledgment to the House for the great honour they have been pleased to confer upon him ” The Mace, hitherto under the fable, is thereupon laid upon the table and two members having congratulated Mr Speaker- e’ect, the House adjourns till the following aftornotn; During the adjournment, the Speaker » elect presents himself to the Governor for his Excelloncy’s approbation and “on behalf of (ho House of Eepreeeatatives of New Zealand, lays claim to all their privileges; and especially to freedom of speech in debate ; and to free access to his Escsllency -whenever occasion may robuiro it; and that the most favourable construction be put upon all their proceedings.” Upon reassembling the next day, the House attends at the Legislative Council to hear the Governor’a Speech^