PARLIAMENT OPENS WITH CEREMONY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18805, 6 July 1929, Page 1

PARLIAMENT OPENS WITH CEREMONY.

“BODY IS UPSTAIRS ** MINISTER IS TOLD. (Written for the “ Star H by E. J. Howard, M.P.). Anyone who has travelled with a theatrical party, playing the same play day in and day out, will know the feeling that the opening of Parliament gives to the old stagers. There is nothing new. The public servants are granted two hours off, but they are expected to attend and form a background for the inevitable photo that will be taken. This year was no different from last year, and the ye«rr before, and the year before that. The carpenter had erected a covered way from the foot of the main entrance steps to. the top. Although the man who looks after the weather had said it would be fine, it is so seldom fine on this particular day in the year that, whilst we had the utmost faith in his opinion, we put the covered way up. From two o'clock the people began to assemble, and by fifteen minutes past two there were probably 1000 people present, and another 500 by the time his Excellency arrived. Asset to City. Wellington is not quite so bad as a certain city further north in blowing its own trumpet, but certainly she has cause to whoop a little. Parliament and civil servants are certainly a very fine asset to this city, and must mean the circulation of a lot of money. If there is any banquet or other free show given in the Holy City, one could, after a ■while, write the names of those who would be there long before the event takes place. So with Wellington the opening of Parliament seems to draw the same people year after year. There is very limited accommodation for visitors, and they must come in by ticket. Front seats must have a blue ticket and back seats a white ticket, and there is quite a dignified scramble for the seats. So at 2.30 the first blank shot is fired from one of the forts or ships, the guard of honour, which is sometimes military and sometimes naval, marches through the town preceded by a band and halts, dresses and takes up a position in front of the steps. Then come two motors with two police outriders, containing their Excellencies and staff. The guard springs to attention, the salute is given whilst the band plays the first bars of “God Save the King.” It may be here noted for the benefit of those patriotic people who want the full thing played at the picture shows that these things are laid down in King’s Regulations, and there would probably be another earthquake if the band played the full verses right through. "Dressed” Members. The opening ceremony takes place in the Legislative Council. All the members of this ancient House are what is termed in fashionable circles “dressed ” That does not mean that members of the elected House come “ undressed," but it does mean that they wear just what their tailors will let them. The reading of the Speech from the Throne occupied a longer time this year than on previous occasions. As a fact, there was not much more matter contained in the speech, but his Excellency read it slowly and clearly. Many Incidents. There are many little incidents in connection with the opening of Parliament that are somewhat laughable, but it is not considered good form to laugh. On either side of the entrance to the Chamber where his Excellency gives his speech there is a soldier, standing to attention, head up, eyes front and heels clicked together. So soon as the gentlemen from “ another place ” have trooped in and sat down, these two soldiers turn inwards facing the throne and march ten paces. It is noticed then that each has a piece of white rope in his hand. One end is attached to the door-post, and the other end they carry forward and tie to a brass standard, one on each side of the gangway. Evidently this is meant to form a kind of lane or way for his Excecllency and suite when they retire. Black Rod, too, is a relic of the bad old days, but New Zealand would sure go up or down if ever that gentleman missed his cue. The present gentleman is a nice chap, but seems to be built for the part. If one dared to be so familiar, he would say he was tall, dark and handsome. He is dressed like one of those old-time pictures, in knee breeches, cut-away coat and the lawyer’s tie. He carries a long black rod, and. like the gold mace, it is a relic of the days when the rod was mightier than debate. This gentleman summonses Mr Speaker and the gentle men from the Legislative Assembly to come and meet his Excellency in “ another place." About a New Suit. Ministers on this particular day must also appear in uniform. Their uniform consists of morning dress. One hon gentleman who has recently been promoted, had on what was obviously a new suit and there was a giggle when another hon gent told him he would “ find the body upstairs.” So soon as the ceremony is over the working part of this institution got right into the collar. Questions flew at Ministers from ali quarters. One very gallant gentleman from the Government side came armed with a sheaf of these queries Ther. when all the questions had been gatb ered up carefully by the messengers the House adjourned to drink after noon tea with Sir Joseph and hi* daughter. Six hundred people packer' piled and squeezed into a room than was built to accommodate two hurt dred. They were not all in at once but they got there and went home hap py. New dresses had been provided for this occasion. It is a great day for Wellington, and although only a few of the citizens are invited the others agree that those who are invited are the right people anyway. Peculiar Situation. On Friday the first Imprest Supply Bill came down. This really is a Bill for the purpose of paying the caretaker and others their month's pay On this measure every member of ♦he House can talk about almost everything that comes under the heading of administration. Naturally the Labour Party opened up on the question of unemployment It had been agreed that one of their members from each of the large cities should speak and then one or two from other parts. But here is where arrangements break down. The attack was principally levelled at the Minister of Public Works. It was held by the Labour speakers that this department had turned ordinary work into relief work and that this was having a tendency to lower wages. Under ordinary circumstances the Minister would have replied to the first speaker. But Mr Ransom sat tight. So another and then another and another spoke, but still the Minister did not budge. Reform also sat tight and we had the curious sight of member after member from the Labour benches rising and attacking a department without anyone else joining in to reply or to defend. It was the funniest situation that this writer had seen in the nine years of his Parliamentary experience. The Leader of the Labour Party had not spoken, but he was obvious!v becoming somewhat restive under this ig-

noring of speakers by the Minister. Then he opened out and asked if it had been planned that no notice was to be taken of the Labour Party and his attack brought the Minister up. He said that there had been no deliberate attempt on his part to ignore the points raised, that he had been taking careful note of each point and it had been his intention to reply to them all later. He would certainly have shortened the debate if he had replied earlier. It may be argued that it was a waste of time, but after all the most important question that will come before this Parliament is that of the unemployed. Reformers’ Policy. There is a tendency on the part of the Reform members to deny that the immigration policy of the late Govern ment had anything to do with this trouble, but Labour charges them with the fact that in 1921 this country received notice that a reaction was coming. The act known as the “ moratorium ” was pushed through to save a crisis. With everything pointing to bad times Reform persisted in inducing people to come out in their thousands. By huge advertisements and paid canvassers they persuaded the people that there was plenty of work and good times out here. Some day we shall have to have more immigrants, but it would be cruel to induce them to come at present.