OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume 84, Issue 13209, 26 June 1915, Page 4

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH

By Telegraph.— Press Association. WELLINGTON, Friday. The second phase of the ceremonies in connection with the opening of Parliament took place this afternoon, when His Excellency Lord Liverpool attended at Farliament House for the purpose of reading the Speech from the Throne. The weather still remained unpropitious, but in spite of the wet streets and a moist atmosphere a large number of people had congregated in the vicinity of Parliament Buildings, when His Excellency, accompaniea by Lady Liverpool motored to the House. The guard of honour of 100 men was on this occasion chosen from the 6th Regiment, while a band selected from the Trenthara Camp Band and Trentham Regiment was in attendance, and played the National Anthem as their Excellencies entered the building. A new feature was the lining of the corridors of the 'House leading to the Legislative Council with troops detached from the Trenlham Regiment, and on being met at the main entrance by the Black Rod their Excellencies and suite passed down this avenue of khaki. Arrived at the Legislative Council His Excellency took his seat upon the dais, Lady Liverpool being seated on his left. The members of the Lower House were then summoned to attend, and headed by the Speaker took their places in front of the dais from which His Excellency read the Speech from the Throne. At the conclusion of the ceremony, which was unusually brief, their Excellencies left the Chamber, and both Houses met for the transaction of business. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council met at 3 p.m. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence was granted to Hons. Nikora, Simpson and Morgan. ELECTION OF SEPAKER. Sir Francis Bell noticed that there would be a call of the Council on the 7th July when the election of Speaker would take place. Hon. W. Carncrosa would again be nominated as Chairman of Committee. CONGRATULATIONS. Hon. Colonel Baillie wished to express the great pleasure of the Council at the honor of Knighthood conferred upon Hon. H. D. Bell. For three years he had acted as Leader of the Council, and he had been instrumental in passing legislation which was of great benefit to the Dominion. His father, the late Sir Francis Dillon Beli, had been a member of several ministries, had been Speaker of the Lower House, and had received many honours. Sir Francis Bell had been one of their most distinguished members of Parliament, and he trusted he would long continue to act as member of that Council. He felt he was voicing the opinion of the Council in congratulating Sir Francis Bell upon the honour he had received. Hon. G. Jones desired to supplement the words of the previous speaker Sir Fraccis Bell, te said, came from a family distinguished in the history of New Zealand and the name would go down to posterity with credit. Hon. O. Samuel added his general congratulations to Sir Francis Bell, and said he desired to express the gratification of the legal profession at the honour conferred upon Sir Francis Bell. A very great deal depended upon the honesty and efficiency of the legal profession, and one who had assisted towards that end deserved the thanks of the people. Sir Francis Bell was recognised throughout the profession as one of the most distinguished leaders of the Bar. He had constantly been striving towards high ideals; and it gave him delight to acknowledge the pleasure of the Bar of New Zealand at the honour conferred. Hon. J. Mills and Hon. Dr. Collins also added their felicitations.

Hon. Sir Francis Bell, in his reply, said he was afraid that what had been said by the previous speakers was too much actuated by the friendship which those in the Council all feel towards each ether. There had been so much consideration shown him in the three yeare he had been Leader of the Council that he felt he could not look for an impartial judgment upon himself. He most keenly appreciated ail that had been said in regard to himself, but that which he most valued wes the utterances of Hon. 0. Samuel in reference to his connection with the legal profession. He had not sought the honour conferred upon him, but he felt that as Leader of the Council he bad been honoured. The members of the Council themselves had enabled him to achieve the honour and usefulness, and this was the reason he had been singled out for distinction. VOTES OP SYMPATHY. Sir Francis Bell then moved the customary resolution of sympathy with regard to the deaths of the late Hons. Montgomery, Stevens and Arkwright, and of Messrs Bollard, McGuire and Letbhridge, formerly members of the House 0/ Representatives. SUPPLY BILL. An imprest Supply Bill was passed through all its stages, and the Council adjourned at 4.25 p.m. until 2.30 on Monday, when the question of the Standing Orders will be considered. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m., and immediately adjourned to attend the Legislative Council to hear the Speech from the Throne. On returning the Speaker announced that he that morning had been presented to His Excellency the Governor, frjm whom he claimed the privilege of Parliament, and His Excellency had been pleased to accede to the same. THE CASUALTY LISTS. Jn reply to Mr Okey, who asked a question without notice, the Minister for Defence stated that arrangements for reporting casualties at the Dardanelles were as far as he knew somewhat as follow:—The officers in command sent as soon as possible all the information available. There is no wireless communiction with the Dardanelles, and all the information has to besent by transports or similar means. In the early days of this campaign the authorities naturally had great difficulty in collecting the information about those killed, and he had to ask the people to exercise some patience under the circumstances. Everything that could be done was being dnne, and while it was true that casualties which occurred four or five weeks ago were only being reported now, he would like members to consider the difficulties of the position. The gathering of information regarding the killed was naturally more ardu-

ous, and had to ie dealt with more carefully than in the case of wounded, as there was a grave resposibility including one in the lists of killed. The House could rest assured that the authorities were doing all that human beings could do to satisfy the proper demands of the people with regard to the reporting of casualties. SECRET DEFENCE COMMITTEE. Hon. Jas. Allen gave notice to move next sitting day that a Secret Committee be set up to consider all matters relating to defence or the war which may be referred to it by the House or the Minister of Defence the committee to consist of Messrs Guthrie, Herdman, Hindmarsb, Lee, Masaey, McNab, Myers, R. H. Rhodes, Ward and the mover THE WAR BILLS. On the motion of the Premier the Expiry Hours Continuance Bill was introduced and read a first time. Sir J. G. Ward asked when the Bills dealing with war matters referred to in the Governor's Speech would be laid before members. The Premier replied that he hoped to lay them before the House in the course of a few days. SUPPLY BILL. An Imprest Supply Bill providing ways and means to the amount of ±1,258,000 was introduced by the Minister of Finance, and by arrangement with the Opposition passed through all its stages without discussion.

VOTES OF SYMPATHY. The Premier moved that this Houße records its high sense of the faithful services rendered to New Zealand by the late Mr J. Bollard, a former member of the House, and respectfully tenders to h's widow and family the assurance of its sincere sympathy with them in their bereavement. After the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition had paid tributes to the memory of the deceased gentleman the motion was carried in silence. Similar motions were passed in connection with the decease of Messrs P. Y. Lethbridge and Felix McGuire, the Hens. W. Montgomery, E. Richardson, E. C. J. Stevens and F. Arkwnght.

Sir Joseph Ward [moved withgut notice of aotion of sympathy with Hon. Jas. Allen in connection with the death of his son, Lieut. Allen, who was killed at the Front. Sir Joseph said it was perhaps fitting that he. as the Leader of the Opposition should move such a motion. There were times when the asperities of political life were somewhat bitter, and party feeling ran high, but under conditions such as the present they were brought together by feelings of sympathy, and it seemed to him proper that they should recognise the fall of the son of a Minister of the Crown at a time when a great war waa raging. That son had a distinguished career at Oxford, and was a thorough Imperialist, a fact amply demonstiated by his close connection with that widely read and influential publication, "The Round Table." He therefore desired to express the sincere sympathy of his side of the House with Roa. Mr Allen, whose son had died a noble death—possibly the best a man could die. Hon. W. F. Massey, in seconding the motion, thanked the Leader of the Opposition for the kindly thought that prompted it. Lieut. Allen was a young man of great promise, and his parents had naturally looked forward with pleasant anticipations to his having a successful career. That had unfortunately been cut short. He bad died in the service of his country, and Mr Allen him he would rather his son should die in that way than that he should shirk his duty by stopping at home in safety. The motion was carried. The Premier then moved that the House adjourn as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased and at 4.35 the House rose till 2 £0 p.m. on Tuesday.