PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144131, 28 June 1913, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

OPENING CEREMONY 1 . YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 27. This afternoon the real ceremony of ■ the opening of Parliament, as distinct from the formal function yesterday, was carried out. Tho chid points in the proceedings were tho reading of the Speech from the Throne by his Excellency, Lord , Liverpool, before tho members of both Houses. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. At the conclusion of the Speech the Governor’s Message was received, announcing that tho following gentlemen have been summoned to tho Legislative Council;—Sir William Russell and Messrs. John Duthie, C. A. 0. Hardy, 'William Earnshaw and AS’iremu Kerio Nikora. All, with the exception of Sir IV. Russell, were present, and were sworn in. Mr. Duthio gave notice to move tho Address-in-Hoply. An Imprest Supply Bill for £772,400 passed all its stages unamended. The Hon. H. D. Bell moved a motion of sympathy with the relatives of the late Sir A. Guinness in their sad bereavement. Ho reviewed tho public career of the late Speaker, and paid a high tribute to his services as a great Parliamentarian. Tho Hon. O. Samuel and Hon. C. H. Mills also spoke in feeling terms. Tho motion was earned, and tho Council adjourned until Wednesday, as a mark of respect. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. Members were .summoned to the Council to hear the Governor’s Speech. ' Upon re-assembling, Mr. Buddo gave notice of his intention to introduce a Saturday half-holiday Bill.' Mr. Sidey moved similarly in con nection with the Daylight Saving Bill Mr. Wilkinson gave notice of- his intention to move that a, respectful address be presented to the Governor. Mr. Veitch gave notice that the time .had aiHved when full social and politi.cal rights should be granted to all State employees. Mr. Hordinan gave notice of motion to. introduce a Land Transfer Amendment Bill, amendments to the Corporations’ .Bill, and New Zealand Architects’ Bill. Leave of absence was granted for six days to Mr. Vigor Brown, of one month to Mr. Buxton, Sir Jas. Carroll and Sir J. G. AA’ard, and ton days to Mr. Ngata. , An Imprest Supply Bill for £772,400 was introduced by Governor’s message. On tho motion for the second reading, Mr. Sidey asked what the Government’s intentions were in respect to the election of members of the Upper House. Mr. Buddo ashed' tho Prime Minister to indicate what was likely to bo done in connection with local bodies law'. Replying to Mr. Sidey, Air. Massey said that there were far more important Bills to be considered than those mentioned by Mr. Sidey. Amendments to the electoral law would certainly come before Parliament before next election. Mr. Massey mentioned, in connection with the Grey election, that the law had been adhered to to the very letter. Mr. Allen said that reference .was made in the Governor’s Speech to advances to workers. In reply to Air. Wilford. Mr. Fraser said that there were about 5000 cooperative workers employed at the present time. The Bill passed through all its stages without amendment. SIR A. GUINNESS. Air. Massey then moved; "That this House records its high sense of the distinguished services rendered to the country and Parliament by the late Sir A. R. Guinness, member for Grey, and further extends to Lady Guinness the sympathy of the House in her bereavement.” Mr. Alassey, continuing, said that the House had lost a great man in Sir-A. Guinness. His unfailing courtesy and kindness had endeared him to everyone with whom he came in _ contact. Who, ho said, could have imagined, when Sir A. G'-rinness bade them good-bye at the end of last session, that ho would not again adorn tho chair? Unfortunately, lie would never again occupy the position which ho had so well and ably filled for ten years. He bad gone to Iris rest, and had loft a great record behind him. He had come in contact with tho late Speaker as a man, as Chairman of Committees, as Speaker, and lately as member for Grey. His death had touched him very deeply. Ho only hoped that the expressions .of feeling which were being given vent to that afternoon would, in some way, mitigate tho blow which had fallen on Lady Guinness. Mr. Hanan said that the Into Speaker’s popularity was due to those sterling qualities which Sir Arthur possessed, and which he knew so well how to use in politics. He was unswerving, he. was a staunch and true friend to tho worker, and his works would live after him. Air. Colvin said that every miner on the Coast loved Sir Arthur, and also every pensioner. Those were the people who would miss him ra»st. Ho had ever been their staunch friend. Sir Arthur’s funeral, ho concluded, was the largest ever seen on tho Coast. Alessrs. Alalcolm, Russell, Coates and AVitty feelingly expressed deep regret at the loss sustained by the country through the death of tho lato Speaker. Mr. Massey’s motion was carried in silence, all the members standing. Air. Alassey moved tho adjournment of the House till 2.30 on AA’ednesday, as a mark of respect to the late Speaker. The motion was carried, and the House rose at 4.10.