Natural Vegetation and Flora, h., q. (Mr. Salt for Agricultural Purposes, h., q. (Mr. Meredith), 174 New Members, l.c., 5 New Telephone Regulations, h., q. (Mr. Guinness), 49 New Zealand Accident Insurance Company, h., q. (Mr. Buchanan), 52 New-Zealand-made Ammunition, h., q. (Mr. Joyce), 160 Ninety-mile Beach, h., q. (Mr. Montgomery), Parapara Iron-deposit, h., q. (Mr. R. McKenzie), 184 Police Force, h., q. (Mr. Taylor), 162 President of the Bank of New Zealand, l.c., q. Public Revenues Bill, h., 1R. 46; 2R. 102; Obs. (Mr. Seddon), 132; Com. 137; 3R. 138: l.C., 1R. 151; 2R. 151; 3R. 151 R. Railways Classification Bill, h., q. (Mr. Smith), 174 Railway Rates on Lyttelton-Christchurch Railway, h., q. (Mr. Joyce), 160 Railway Revenue, h., m. (Mr. Buchanan), 46 Rangitata Plains Settlers, h., q. (Mr. Rolleston), 184 Representation of the Colony at the Celebration of the Sixtieth Anniversary of Her Majesty's Reign, h., m. (Mr. J. McKenzie), 59: l.c., m. (Hon. Mr. W. C. Walker), 122: h., Message, 137 Returns, h., q. (Mr. J. Allen), 158 Returns ordered, h., q. (Mr. Lewis), 184 Wright), 161 School-buildings Vote, h., m. (Mr. G. Hutchison), 182 Scoured Wool Railway Charges, h., q. (Mr. Selwyn Bridge, h., q. (Mr. Montgomery), 159 Speaker, Mr., h., m. (Mr. Larnach), 2; h., Obs. (Mr. Speaker), 9 Springfield End of Midland Railway, h., q. (Mr. Joyce), 159 Steam-service between New Zealand and Mel bourne or Sydney, h., q. (Mr. Wason), 157 Stipendiary Magistrates, h., m. (Mr. Buchanan), 181 Stoats and Weasels, h., q. (Mr. Lang), 183 Sunnyside Asylum Steam-laundry, h., q. (Mr. Joyce), 161 I. Telephone Exchanges, h., m. (Mr. Buchanan), 182 ས. Volunteers' Free Passes, h., q. (Mr. Moore), 159 W. Waimarino Co-operative Works, h., q. (Mr. G. Hutchison), 169 Wakarara-Blackburn Telephone, h., q. (Mr. Hunter), 156 Wanganui River Mail-service, h., m. (Mr. G. Hutchison), 46 Water-races, h., q. (Mr. J. Allen), 184 Wellington City Sanitation Loan Bill, h., 1R. 46; 2R. 101; Adj. Deb. 132; 3R. 132: l.c., 1R. 124; 2R. 124; Com. 151; 3R. 153 Wellington Crown Land Settlers, l.c., q. (Hon. Mr. Ormond), 120 Wellington-Eketahuna Railway Charges, h., q. (Mr. Buchanan), 50 Wellington Railway Department Officers, h., q. (Mr. Joyce), 176 4. Wellington Suburbs Election Petition, h., (Mr. Buchanan), 170 Wellington Suburbs Electoral District, h., m. (Mr. Seddon), 53 West Coast Wardens, h., q. (Mr. O'Regan), 184 Whangarei Railway, h., q. (Mr. R. Thompson), 167 Whitcombe's Pass Track, h., q. (Mr. Wright), 159 NEW ZEALAND. PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES. First Session of the Thirteenth Parliament. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, 6th April, 1897. Opening of Parliament. OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT of New Zealand, which was prorogued on the 17th October, 1896, to the 19th November, was dissolved on the 14th November. On the same day the Thirteenth Parliament was summoned to meet on the 17th December; was thence prorogued till the 18th February, 1897; thence prorogued to the 18th March; thence prorogued to the 2nd April; and further prorogued to Tuesday, 6th April, when it met for the despatch of business. The Parliament was opened by Commission. The Legislative Council being met, The Commissioners-namely, the Hon. Mr. MILLER (Chief Commissioner), the Hon. Captain BAILLIE, the Hon. Mr. W. C. WALKER, the Hon. Mr. MONTGOMERY, and the Hon. Dr. GRACEtook their seats. The CHIEF COMMISSIONER said,-I have to acquaint the Council that His Excellency the Administrator of the Government, not being able to be personally present here this day, hath been pleased to cause a Commission to be issued in order to the opening and holding of this Parliament. The CHIEF COMMISSIONER commanded the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod to inform the members of the House of Representatives that the Commissioners desired their immediate attendance in the Legislative Council Chamber to hear the letters patent appointing the Com mission read. The members of the House of Representatives being come, The CHIEF COMMISSIONER said,His Excellency the Administrator of the Government, not being able to be present here VOL. XCVII.-1. to-day, hath been pleased, in order to the opening and holding of this Parliament, to cause letters patent to be passed, under the seal of the colony, constituting us, the several honourable members therein named, the Commissioners to do all things in His Excellency's name and on his part necessary to be performed in order to the opening of this session of Parliament. This will more fully appear by the letters patent, which will now be read. The letters patent were then read by the CLERK OF PARLIAMENTS. The CHIEF COMMISSIONER said,Honourable Legislative Councillors, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, we have it in command from His Excellency the Administrator of the Government to let you know that on Wednesday, the 7th day of April instant, at half-past two o'clock in the afternoon, His Excellency the Administrator of the Government will, in person, declare to you the causes of calling this Parliament together. It being necessary, however, that a Speaker of the House of Representatives be first chosen, His Excellency the Administrator requests you, Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, to repair to the place where you usually sit, and there proceed to the election of a fit and proper person to fill that high and important office; and that, after having chosen him, you present him on Wednesday, the 7th day of April, at the Government House, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, for His Excellency's approval. The Council adjourned at a quarter to three o'clock p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The following message was delivered by the Acting Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod: "The Legislative Councillors, authorised by virtue of His Excellency the Administrator's Commission, desire the immediate attendance of this honourable House in the Legislative Council Chamber, to hear the Commission read." Accordingly the House, with the Clerk, went to the Legislative Council Chamber; and, a Commission having been read for the opening and holding of Parliament, the Commissioners directed the House to proceed to the election of a Speaker, and to present him on Wednesday next at Government House for His Excellency's approval. Members being returned, The Clerk of Writs delivered to George Friend, Esquire, Clerk of the House, a list of the members who had been returned to sit in the present Parliament. George Friend, Esquire, Clerk of the House, a Commissioner appointed by dedimus potestatem for administering the oath to the members, did administer the oath to the members who appeared; which being done, and the members having subscribed the oath, they took their seats in the House. SPEAKER. Mr. LARNACH.-Mr. Friend, it will be well known to most honourable gentlemen that the business of this Parliament cannot proceed further until we elect an honourable member to occupy the chair, and, during the currency of Parliament, to preside over our deliberations. I have therefore very much pleasure in proposing the name of Sir Maurice O'Rorke, a name familiar not only to every honourable gentleman present here, but also to the whole colony, as a member who has the highest qualifications for the position of Speaker. Many of you honourable gentlemen have had the opportunity of sitting under many Speakers during your experience in parliamentary life in New Zealand. For my own part, having had a parliamentary experience extending over twenty years, I have sat under different Speakers, and, while I do not wish in the slightest degree to disparage the great ability and impartiality which those honourable gentlemen exercised from time to time in their dignified positions and terms in the chair, I must say that, in my humble opinion, the honourable gentleman I have now named, if this House elects him to the chair, will be facile princeps amongst the Speakers of the Assemblies of Australasia. I therefore repeat to honourable gentlemen that I have very much pleasure in proposing the name of Sir Maurice O'Rorke to be Speaker of this Thirteenth Parliament of New Zealand. I may mention, for the information of honourable members, that Sir Maurice O'Rorke has already occupied the chair for six Parliaments; and if we do him the honour, and ourselves the credit, of electing him on this occasion I am sure his election will give satisfaction not only to the House but to the colony, and we shall be electing one who has already made, and will continue to make, a record,-honourable gentlemen, this is the record reign year, for Sir Maurice O'Rorke will then have occupied the chair for seven Parliaments; and seven, as honourable gentlemen are aware, being a Scriptural number, will, let us hope, have a good effect on the proceedings of this Parliament; and I have not the slightest doubt but that at the end of it, by having had the benefit of another parliamentary experience from so very distinguished and qualified a Speaker, the Thirteenth Parliament of New Zealand will have lastingly benefited. Mr. Friend, I have much pleasure in proposing Sir George Maurice O'Rorke to occupy the chair as Speaker during this Thirteenth Parliament of New Zealand. Mr. MONTGOMERY.-I rise to second the motion of the honourable member for Tuapeka, and I would rather it had been an older member who was speaking on the subject-one who could look back over many Parliaments and tell the House what were the qualifications of the various Speakers from time to time-because I feel sure that would have served to convince those honourable members who have come here for the first time to-day that Sir Maurice O'Rorke has been known for many years as a Speaker second to none in this House. But in some ways my task is an easy one, because I am not seconding the nomination of a member who is unknown, who is inexperienced, or whose capacity has not been tested; but Sir Maurice O'Rorke is a member who has been for thirtythree years in the House, who has been for fourteen years Speaker of the House, and has been elected to the Speakership on six different occasions. We are now proposing to elect him Speaker for the seventh time -- to elect one whose experience and whose natural gifts pre-eminently qualify him to act as the Speaker of this or of any other Assembly. In Sir Maurice O'Rorke we have one who unites dignity and firmness with natural courtesy and kindness in a way which must be rare in any Parliament in the world. He is also one of those few who are equally strong in a calm and in a storm; and every one who knows him is aware that there has been in the past no more zealous guardian of the privileges of the House. It is therefore with great confidence that I second the motion of the honourable member for Tuapeka to elect Sir Maurice O'Rorke to the high and honourable office of Speaker of this House. Sir MAURICE O'RORKE.-I have paused, Mr. Friend, in order to see whether it was the intention of honourable members to submit any other name as well as my own for the verdict of the House. I hope I have not been too hasty in now rising, but I considered that, having waited what appeared to me sufficiently long, it was not right to keep the House in suspense, but to proceed to express my sense of the honour proposed to be conferred on me. In addressing you, as the officer charged with presiding over the election of Speaker of this new House, I should first of all express my thanks to the honourable member for Tuapeka the Hon. Mr. Larnach-and the honourable great occasion of celebrating the completion of the sixtieth year of Her Majesty's reign the Colony of New Zealand should be worthily represented at the ceremony. I feel assured that this House will deal with this matter in a lofty spirit that it will not descend on such a great occasion to mere carping criticism, but that it will comply with the wishes of the country by seeing that New Zealand is worthily represented when there are assembled in London not only the representatives of all the colonies of Great Britain, but I might almost say the representatives of all the civilised nations of the universe, to pay homage to the oldest, the noblest, and the purest of the sovereigns of the world. It is under a sense of this feeling that I venture to make these few remarks, and to express the hope that members on both sides of the House will unite in sustaining what I believe to be the desires of our constituents that we shall make due provision for the representation of New Zealand at that most important ceremony which is about to take place in the capital of the Empire. I do not intend to travel further from the question immediately before the House, but merely express my thanks to the members of this House for the prospect that is afforded to me of being returned unopposed to the chair of the House. My proposer and seconder have alluded to the number of times that I have filled that chair, and, as I have said, I feel to-day the responsibility of undertaking the duties of Speaker of this House just as keenly as I did on the first day I was proposed for that high office. I know well the courtesy that is due by the Speaker to every member of this House. It is his bounden duty to divest himself of all feeling of partisanship when he takes the Speaker's chair, and it is with such feelings that I am now prepared to bow to the decision of honourable members, and, as it is their will, to resume the duties of the Chair-duties which I have endeavoured to the best of my ability to discharge impartially during the previous Speakerships with which I have been honoured by the House. member for Ellesmere-Mr. Montgomery-for | and that every colonist desires that on this the complimentary terms in which they have alluded to my past career in this House. I can assure honourable members that I am as sensible now as I was on the first occasion of being put in nomination for the Speakership of the responsibility that attaches to the office, of the duty I shall owe my brother members, and how it behoves me so to preside over the proceedings of this House that it shall ever maintain the respect and esteem of those who have honoured us with their confidence by choosing us to be the representatives of the people of New Zealand. I hope my fellow-members will permit me to take a glance backward on this occasion. I little thought when I was first honoured with a seat in this House, in the year 1861, that it would be my lot in this House of 1897 to be the only representative of those who assembled in the House of Representatives in 1861. Yet such is the case. Of those elected on that occasion I alone am left within the walls of this House. During the last Parliament I had the satisfaction of having the companionship of one of my compeers of 1861. Unluckily, the fortune of war has deprived him of the opportunity of returning to the House; but I think all of us who knew Mr. Saunders, the Nestor of this House in the last Parliament, will deplore his absence, for he always brought a sound mind and a ripe judgment to our deliberations. He was imbued with an intense feeling of love of this country, and an ardent patriotism towards his native land, and, octogenarian though he is now, I hope Parliament has not permanently lost the services of Mr. Saunders. Whilst I have alluded to the kind of feeling of desolation that presents itself to my mind in consequence of the losses that have occurred in this House since I entered it--the Foxes, the Richmonds, the FitzGeralds, the Fitzherberts, the Featherstons, the Welds, the Moorhouses, and the Macandrews all gone-yet when I look at the roll of this House to-day I find a consolation there, for I see reappearing on the roll of this House the names borne by Sir Donald McLean, Mr. William Montgomery, and Mr. George Hunter; and I assure honourable members it is a satisfaction to me to know that, whilst fathers pass away or retire from this House, sons arise to win their way into this chamber, where I doubt not they will worthily sustain the reputation of those names familiar to our ears, and where they will exhibit that zeal, devotion, and affection for New Zealand, the country of their birth, that their fathers did for New Zealand, the country of their adoption. Now, to my mind this is a very important session we are about to engage in, and I hope honourable members will indulge me in making a few remarks outside the mere matter of returning thanks for the honour that is proposed to be conferred upon me. It is known to us all that this meeting of Parliament is held in order that New Zealand may have the opportunity of giving utterance to that loyalty and devotion which it ever feels towards Her Majesty Queen Victoria, The honourable gentleman was then led to the chair by his proposer and seconder. Mr. SPEAKER-ELECT.-From these steps I desire to repeat my acknowledgments to the members of this House for the great honour they have done me in having, for the seventh time, raised me to the Speaker's chair, and to assure the House that it will be my earnest endeavour to uphold the privileges of this House and to merit the confidence which the House this day has reposed in me. Mr. SEDDON.-I rise to congratulate you on your unopposed return to the very high position of Speaker of the House of Representatives of New Zealand. For the seventh time, Sir, you have been elected to hold that position, and for the sixth time, I believe, unopposed. Sir, it would be as though one were painting the lily were I to say that you are eminently fitted to hold the position of Speaker, and that whilst you have held that position you have ruled with dignity, and with becoming fairness and impartiality. Sir, I unhesitatingly say here, as one who has sat continuously in Parliament since the year 1879, and I can speak with some authority when I say that, in respect to the younger members of the House-those who are not so well acquainted with our rules of debate and our customs-that to them is leniency shown; and to them, Sir, you have always extended your assistance. I have felt, as leader of the House, more than once that you have been much more firm, and I have thought sometimes that in ruling in respect of matters which are brought under your notice you were treating the leader of the House with much greater severity than you treated, years ago, the honourable member for Kumara. Sir, in your hands the liberties and privileges of this House, I am sure. are absolutely safe. Time after time when attempts have been made to trench upon our privileges you have been the one who has pointed it out at once; and I trust, as in the past, so it will be in the future-the privileges of the House of Representatives will be protected, and you will lend us your valuable assistance in conserving them. I might say that your rulings are now taken as standard rulings not only in Australia, but in the House of Commons itself. I have, Sir, had the opportunity recently of meeting the Speakers of several of the Australian Colonies, and I am sure these gentlemen, like the honourable members here assembled, will be proud and pleased to find that you have been again elected to the position of Speaker. When after last session it was flashed through the colony that you intended to retire from public life there was a thrill of regret in the breasts of members from both sides of the House. We felt that if you retired a great loss would befall our colony; and when you placed yourself again in the hands of the electors, and when you were returned to this Parliament, I am sure there was only one opinion, and that was, we were all pleased and delighted to have again the opportunity of electing you as Speaker. Sir, I heartily congratulate you. Captain RUSSELL.-May I be allowed, Sir, also to offer you my congratulations upon your election as Speaker for the seventh time of this branch of the Parliament of New Zealand. As the Premier has told the House, probably no one in the Australian Colonies-I may almost go further and say no man in the whole of the English-speaking colonies-has had such long experience in the presidential chair as has fallen to the lot of the Hon. Sir Maurice O'Rorke; and, as he added, no doubt during the whole of the time you have occupied the chair you have endeavoured to the very utmost of your ability to uphold the privileges of this House. I desire to emphasize that there has been no time in the history of this representative Chamber when it was more necessary that the privileges of individual members should be upheld than at the present moment. It is a matter of the most vital importance that these House adjourn until half past two to-morrow. Mr. SEDDON.-Sir, I now move, That the His Excellency the Administrator has signified his intention of receiving you, Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of approving of your election, to-morrow at eleven. At half-past one, I may also inform honourable members, hope and trust all will be present-to pay a ceremony will take place-at which I a tribute of respect to the memory of the Liberal leader, the late Hon. John Ballance. At half-past two o'clock to-morrow His Excellency the Administrator will open Parliament for the despatch of business, and deliver the Address from the Throne; and, on the Address being received by this House, it is my intention to ask that Standing Orders be suspended so as to enable the debate upon the Address to proceed immediately on its being received. Captain RUSSELL.-Say half-past seven. Mr. SEDDON,-As this is the first request from the leader of the Opposition, I shall be most happy to grant it, and ask that the debate be taken at half-past seven; but it is my desire, as I believe it is the desire of members on both sides of the House, that we should proceed with our business as quickly as possible, and deal with what comes before us in a way which will redound to our credit, and, I believe, the profit of the colony. I move, Sir, That this House do now adjourn. Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at twenty-five minutes to four o'clock p.m. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Governor's Speech-New Members-Appointments to the Council. The Council met at half-past two o'clock. Shortly afterwards His Excellency the Administrator of the Government entered and took the chair. A message was forwarded to the House of Representatives desiring the attendance of members in the Council Chamber. The members of the House of Representatives accordingly attended. GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. His Excellency the ADMINISTRATOR OF THE GOVERNMENT was pleased to deliver the following Speech: |