Opening of Parliament.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue I, 4 July 1903, Page 22

Opening of Parliament.

MR GUINNESS ELECTED SPEAKER. The fourteenth Parliament of New Zealand was opened by commission on June 29, when both Houses met in the Upper Chamber. Sir Henry Miller, last Speaker of the Council, Chief Commissioner, said the Governor, being unable to attend in person, had issued the commission. Letters patent were then read. The Clerk of Parliament then stated that the Governor would attend personally the following day and state why he had called Parliament. The members of the Lower' House then proceeded to their own chamber, where they were sworn in by the Clerk of the House. Then followed the election of Speaker. Mr. Guinness, being elected, was then congratulated by the Premier and Sir William Russell. PREMIER IN FIGHTING TRIM. The Premier states, and his personal appearance amply bears out the statement, that he is in good fighting trim for the session. Old Parliamentary hands generally concur in his opinion that the session will be long. SOUTHERN MAORIS AND MAHUTA. The wrath of Mr. T. Parata, member for the Southern Maori district, has been greatly excited by the “Gazette” notification proclaiming the elevation of Mahuta, in which he is described as “formerly known as Maori King.” Mr. Parata, who is a staunch supporter of the Government, will present a petition to Parliament on the matter when the House meets on Tuesday, and during the debate on the Address-in-Reply will speak very strongly. He states that Mahuta was never recognised as King outside the boundaries of the Waikato, and that the other tribes have been greatly incensed at the recognition of his title by the Government. CHANGES IN THE GALLERY. The Parliamentary press gallery during

the coming session will be without one of its best known members. Mr Thomas Morrison, of Napier, who has occupied a seut in the gallery for something like a quarter of a century, with a break, has finally retired from active work, and this year will be numbered amongst the absentees. Tom’s genial personality will be greatly missed in press and Parliamentary circles. There will be a great change in the personnel of the gallery this session, and several new faces will be seen above the Speaker’s throne. There will still remain a small band of old stagers, viz., Albert Cohen, Dunedin “Star”; F. K. Reeves, “Evening Post”; P. J. Nolan, “New Zealand Times”; A. M. Burns, Press Association; and R. A. Eoughnan. Mr Oakley Brown, who saw service in the gallery many years ago, will do Press Association work in the Legislative Council.