PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2627, 8 October 1909, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

OPENING OF THE SESSION. A TAME CEREMONY- [ Per ruESB Association f "WELLINGTON, Oct. <■ The second session of the Parliament of New Zealand ; P j jy this afternoon- in brilliant qwing His Excellency the Governo i. Owing to the limited accommodation m legislative Council Chamber, there j as not room for many of the p i pw, there was a large gathering ' The Governor was escorted by t . ; taunga Mounted Rifles, and was rcco - ed by a guard of honor composed members of the Permanent Artillery and a detachment from H-M.b. P theus. There was a good attendance of members, and a few ladies ive P sent, including Lady Ward, but Plunket was absent. The Sergeant-at-Arms bore the mace ordered b- Sir Joseph T> arc v> m e he was in England.. It is plated with gold, some five feet in length, and va. the object of much attention, it is a replica of that used, in the House o Commons, except that there is an extra panel displaying the _Southern Cross and the initials “N.Z.’

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

On the retirement of the Governor, the Legislative Council passed a resolution of condolence with tne relatives of the late member for Rangitikei, Mr. Remington. The Hon. It. A. Loughnan gave notice to move the Address-in-Replv, and the Council adjourned until Tuesday.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House met at 3 p.m. Mr. R. W. Smith, the newly elected member for Rangitikei, took the oath and his seat. Notice of a question Teas given by Mr. Massey, asking if anything will be done to have the claims of old soldiers inquired into. Mr. T. E. Taylor gave notice to ask if old age pensioners having property will be placed on the same Sooting as those without property. Mr. Malcolm gave notice to move for a return showing the number of civil servants dismissed under the retrenchment scheme. Mr. Okey gave notice to move for a return showing the state of the frozen meat trade. Mr. Hogg gave notice to move for a return showing the Native land leased in the King Country, with the terms of. lease. Mr. Seddon gave notice to move tor a statement of the result of the Timber Commission. Mr. Hogg gave notice to introduce a Bill to -abolish the flour duty. Mr. Laurenson gave notice of the introduction of an amended Licensing Act. Mr. Taylor gave notice to ask if steps would be taken to alter the constitution of the Post Office Savings Bank so that it may serve the purpose of a Dominion Bank with the sole right, of note issue.

Mr. Malcolm asked the Premier if two Local Bills Committees would be set uj) to facilitate business. The Premier said he would consider the suggestion. Sir Joseph Ward made a statementregarding the new mace. He said that on the day of his departure the Speaker wrote to him pointing out that the old mace had been destroyed by fire, and asking him to make arrangements for procuring a new one, which ho did. and the one now in the House was a replica of that in the British House of Commons. It bore the inscription—''Presented to the Speaker and the House of Representatives with tlie respect and esteem of the Prime Minister and colleagues. Wellington, October. 1909.” (Cheers.) The Sneaker returned thanks on behalf of himself and the House. Sir W. J. Steward moved “That the House accept tlie mace as from the Premier and liis colleagues, and that the resolution be recorded in the iournals of the House.” The motion was seconded by Mr. Massey and carried unanimously. Sir Joseph Ward referred 'to the death of Mr. Remington, the late member for Rangitikei, and liis valuable, work on local bodies and in the House. He moved that the House place on record its high sense of tlie services rendered by him. Mr. Massey expressed tlie genuine regret of himself and liis party at the death of Mr. Remington. Mr. Laurenson also referred to the loss of his fellow member, and said that be had found, on going into figures, that the death rate among members of Parliament was 52 per cent, higher than that of any other members of the community. The motion was carried unanimously Tlie Premier, m reply to Mr. Massev" said tliat lie promised to take the Ad-dress-in-Reply on Tuesday and moved the adjournment of the House till 2.30 to-morrow.

The motion was carried, and tlie House rose at 4 p.m.