PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2525, 11 June 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

OPENING Or THE SESSION.

A GOVERNMENT CAUCUS,

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, June 10. Parliament was formally opened by Commission this morning. A caucus of Government supporters was presided over by the Premier, and attended by 44 members, and seven others wore accountecMmr. The Premier intimated that afTer careiul consideration ho intended to propose Mr. Guinness as Speaker, and Mr. Wilford as Chairman of Committees. Other gentlemen who bad claims for consideration had kindly intimated their desire to make tlie way clear for tho mombers named. In explaining the business to ho discussed, he said there would bo a Loan Bill. It would be necessary to increase the unauthorised expenditure, but every item would bo on tlie Estimates when Parliament resumed. The matter of the Government offer of Dreadnoughts would also to brought forward. Parliament was formally opened at 11.30 a.m. in tho Legislative Council Chamber by a Commission composed of tho Hons. C. C. Bowen, Findlay, McLean, George, T. Thompson, .and T. Telly, before a fair attendance of members. The Hon. C. C. Bowen read the Commission, and members immediately returned to the Lower House. ELECTION OF SPEAKER. MR GUINNESS UNANIMOUSLY CHOSEN. The House met at 11.45 a.m., and preoeeded with the swearing-in of the members. The Hon. T. Y. Duncan nominated Mr. A. R. Guinness for the Speakership. Mr. Hanan seconded tlie motion. There were no other nominations, and Mr. Guinness was declared elected. Mr. Guinness returned thanks and took th© chair. Sir Joseph. Ward and ' Mr. Massey having congratulated him on his appointment, the former moved the adjournment of the House till 3.30, to allow the Speaker to submit himself to he Governor for approval. The House rose at 12.30 p.m.

THE OPENING CEREMONY

AN UNIMPRESSIVE PROCEEDING

Shortly before 3.30 p.m., the hour at which the Governor was to formally open Parliament, a crowd gathered outside tho Parliamentary buildings to watch tho approach of His Excellency, escorted by the usual guard of honor. The interest was somewhat lessened by the fact that no invitations were is&L-sd to consuls and others who usually grace tho opening ceremony. This was due to tho limited space in the new Connell Chamber. There is only one small gallery, mainly devoted t-o tho press, and in this a few ladies found accommodation, while tho lady members of His Excellency’s household and a few others were, found seating accommodation on the floor of the Chamber. As the Governor approached, the usual salute was fired. His Excellency entered the Council Chamber precisely at 3.30 p.m., accompanied by the officers of his staff and two officers from H.M.S. Challenger, and having sent for the members of the House to attend in the Council Chamber, read his Speech. The whole proceedings were over within 15 minutes from the arrival of the Governor.