PARLIAMENT OPENED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16538, 23 September 1921, Page 4

PARLIAMENT OPENED.

THE THIRO SESSION, A BRILLIANT SCENE. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, September *22. | In the bright sunshine of a pleasant spring day the third session of the twentieth Parliament of New Zealand opened with all tho old-time ceremonial in the Legislative Council Chambers, which, resplendent with marble columns, handsomely finished native woodwork and ucep red plush seats, is now practically complete, and will henceforth be used for the Council sittings. Outside Parliament House, in front of the main entrance, a large number ot people gathered, including many unable to gain entrance to the. crowded galleries. to witness the arrival of tho Vice-Regal party, who wore punctual, I An animated scene followed. The droning of an aeroplane sounded overhead as Lord Jellicoe inspected the guard of honour furnished by the Senior Cadets, the First Battalion Band meanwhile playing National airs. Promptly at 2.30 members of both Houses were in their places. Lady Jellicoe, accompanied by an aide-de-camp, was conducted by Mr Lowe, Clerk of Parliament, to tire Legislative Council chamber, where she was presented with a bouquet. After a brief interval the buzzing undertone of conversation suddenly : was hushed and his Excellency the f Governor-General entered the Chamber, j accompanied by his personal staff and i Generals Charter, Richardson and j M’Gavin and other honorary aides-de- ! camp. The Governor-General was in j the uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet, and other naval and military officers j werte in their respective uniforms. Councillors were in formal evening attire, and tho bright dresses of the ladies thronging the galleries made up a scone of life and colour which gained in vivacity as the assemblage rose to its feet on tho Vice-Regal entry. Black Hod having summoned members of the other House these arrived, headed by the Speaker, Sir Frederick Lang, arid his attendant mace bearer and tho Clerk of the House, followed by the Hon 1). H- Guthrie, acting-leader of the House of Representatives, and other members of the Cabinet, after whom came the private members. The only Ministerial absentees were Mr Ma-ssev and the Hon G. I. Anderson. The latter has not yet recovered from his recent severe illness. When all were in their places Francis 801 l placed the Speech in Lord Jellicoe’s hands, and he proceeded to read it in a clear, deliberate, voice. Every word was audible throughout the , chamber. The reading of tbo Speech t occupied a little over ten minutes, j Tho Vice-Regal party then left for | Government House, and both Houses i of Parliament proceeded to formal buei- ! ness.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, The Council met at 3 p.m MEMBERS SWORN IN. A message was read from the Gover-nor-General announcing the summoning of the following to the Council : Hons Macgregor. Samuel. Moore, Collins, Campbell, Hislop, M’lntyre, Snodgrass and Sir James Carroll. All these members, with the exception of Sir James Carroll and Mr Macgregor, who were uot present, were sworn in. The Hon H. M. Campbell gave notice of his intention of moving the Address-ill-Reply *>n Tuesday. The Council rose at 3.10 p m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTAT! VES, The House met at 3.10 p.m. NEW MEMBER. Mr E. Dixon, member for Paste a, was sworn in and took his seat. NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION. Mr Wilford gave notice of hi* intention to move aii amendment to the A d dree s-i n-R eply. BILLS. Notice of the introduction, of the following Bills was given :—Maintenance Orders Facilities (Hon E- P. Lee), Hotels and Restaurant Workers* Sis Day Week (Mr P. Fraser). LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence, was granted to the following members:—Hon A. M. Myers, Messrs Williams, A. Hamilton, J. R. Hamilton. Hudson, Tau Heuare, Jennings, M/Cxllum and Dr A- K. Newman. On the Hon D. LI. Guthrie's motion the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill was read a. first time. Th© House adjourned at 3.20 p.m, tiji 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.