PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2524, 10 June 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

THE OPENING TO DAY.

TIME-SAVING DEVICES

(Special to “Times.”)

WELLINGTON, Juno 6. The Premier has arranged to have Parliament opened by Commission at 11.30 in tho morning, instead of the time-honored hour of 2.80. The object of this is obscure. It is stated by some Government members that it is to facilitate the election of a Speaker, but that is a business which usually occupies under! half an hour,- so nothing apparently is to be gained an that respect by the alteration of time. The formal opening by the' Governor will take place in the afternoon. As the accommodation in the Legislative Council building is exceedingly restricted, it is understood that no invitations will be issued, not even to foreign Consuls, whose claims are generally first to be considered on such occasions.

It is also suggested that after the delivery of the Governor’s Speech, the Prime Minister will urge the immediate carrying on of business, that Parliament will be asked to commence the Address-in-Reply debate 'on Friday night, instead of adjourning till the following Tuesday as usual, so that members will be requested to break another rule and sit on Saturday and Monday. INTENTIONS OF THE OPPOSITION.

If that proposal is put to the vote it will be carried, as the Government party has apparently been hardened up sufficiently to insure such a result, but it will be strongly opposed by the Opposition, who express themselves as objecting to any such exhibition of undue baste. The Opposition will also have a good deal to say about the proposal to extend the appropriations until 31st October. This, they urge, will obviate the necessity of the Government bringing down an Imprest Supply Bill for nearly a month after Parliament meets, and thus shelve the financial discussion for an undue period. It is probable, therefore, that the Opposition will endeavor to extract a promise from the Government to bring down an Imprest Supply Bill at an earlier date. It is understood that a number of new Opposition members intend to debate the Address-in-Reply, and have a say on financial matters regardless of the limited time. The Opposition party will neither be officially encouraged nor restrained in. the matter of speechmaking. They will have a free hand, but it is recognised that no deliberate obstruction should be offered in view' of the vote at the informal meeting of members of the House on Monday, neither will undue hustle be tolerated. The Premier will be pressed to explain his intentions regarding the conference and to make several other important matters clear before Parliament prorogues. > THE PREMIER SANGUINE. Later. The Premier tells me (10.30 p.m.) that at a late hour to-night he decided to save a day by having Parliament finally opened to-morrow. That is, the Commission would perform the usual ceremony in connection with the opening of the session at 11.30 a.m. The appointment of a Speaker would take place, and then, in the afternoon, the Governor would attend at the Legislative Council and read his Speech. Sir Joseph Ward states that everything depends upon circumstances whether he goes to London or remainshere, but he is sanguine that everything will work out satisfactorily andthat he will be able to leave by the 18th. The Governor’s Speech will be very short, policy indications being deferred until the second session.