Hon. members will now proceed to the election of a Speaker, and I am prepared to accept nominations.

I move—

I am sure it is not necessary to say much in support of my motion. Hon. members who have sat under the Speakership of Mr. Jansen know the many excellent qualities he possesses, and 1 have no doubt that new members also know what a success he made of his position as Speaker, during the time that he occupied that exalted position. That, in fact, is common knowledge. May I just be allowed to add that I think the country is indeed fortunate, and that we in Parliament are particularly fortunate, that at this very difficult time, when we are most anxious to avoid making any mistakes, we are very fortunate to be able to obtain the services of somebody who is so excellently fitted to occupy the distinguished and important position of Speaker of the House of Assembly of the Union of South Africa.

I second the motion with great pleasure. Most hon. members in this House knew Mr. Jansen at the time he was first appointed Speaker and fulfilled his task in a worthy, tactful and impartial manner. I think by his attitude he won the respect of every member of the House. I can only say that I feel certain that when Mr. Jansen occupies the Speaker’s chair again he will fulfil his duties in the same worthy and strictly, impartial way. I have the greatest pleasure in seconding the motion.

I move—

In moving this I want to make it quite clear that I have the greatest respect and friendship for Mr. Jansen, and I know that he will be elected. I propose my amendment, however, for two reasons: the first is that I agree with the words which fell from the late Prime Minister and the present Minister of Justice (Gen. Smuts), when, on July 24th, 1924, speaking to a similar motion, he said—

I also regret it deeply because Mr. de Waal made an excellent Speaker, and I know of no political sin which he has committed which would justify his being replaced. My second reason is that I want to show, by moving this amendment, that there is an Opposition in this House. It may not be a very large Opposition in numbers, but you will find that it is a very determined Opposition, and that it is an Opposition which will grow in time. Then, finally, I want to take this opportunity, the last opportunity I shall have of speaking to Mr. Jansen on equal terms before he is elevated to the Speakership, of saying to Mr. Jansen: The public of the Union will judge you according as you treat us, the small minorities in this House. You have got us in your power, you have us at your mercy, and we look to you for justice and fair play. And I personally think we shall get it.

Mr. BOUWER seconded.

I wish to say that I very much appreciate the words that have fallen from the hon. member who has just moved the amendment. I appreciate them the more because of the source from which they come. They come from the representative of a very small minority. The fact that he is willing to have me in the chair again tends to show that, whatever my weaknesses may be, I have done my best to conserve the rights of members of this House. I hope, however, that in the circumstances he has mentioned he will now withdraw his motion.

With leave of the House, motion by Dr. H. Reitz withdrawn.

There being no further nomination and no other member addressing House,

Mr. Jansen was called to the chair of this House by the Clerk:

The CLERK [to Mr. Jansen]: Does the hon. member submit himself to the House?

If the House is willing to do me this great honour, then I am ready to accept the appointment.

Will the proposer and seconder kindly conduct the hon. member to the chair?

Mr. Jansen was thereupon conducted to the chair by the mover and seconder.

Before I take up the appointment and occupy the Speaker’s chair, I want to thank hon. members for the honour they have done me in electing me to this Office. I want to assure them that I will always try to preserve and maintain the high traditions associated with the office.

Business suspended at 11.25 a.m. and resumed at 3.15 p.m.

I have to report that after the House had suspended business this morning, I proceeded to Government House accompanied by my proposer and seconder, Ministers of State for the Union and other hon. members of the House, where we were received by his Excellency the Right Honourable the Earl of Clarendon, G.C.M.G., Governor-General, to whom I presented myself pursuant to the Standing Orders of the House. His Excellency then congratulated me in his Majesty’s name as well as in his own name.

Mr. Speaker and the members proceeded to the Senate House to attend the ceremony of the opening of Parliament and on their return,

Mr. SPEAKER took the chair and read prayers.

The CLERK read a commission from his Excellency the Governor-General, dated the 26th May, 1933, authorizing the Speaker of the House of Assembly, to administer, during the continuance of this Parliament, the oath or affirmation of allegiance, required by the fifty-first section of the South Africa Act, 1909, to such members of the House of Assembly as have not made and subscribed such oath or affirmation on or since the morning of the first meeting of the House of Assembly.

The assembling of Parliament at so early a date after the general election is rendered necessary owing to the funds voted by the late Parliament being sufficient to carry on the administration of the country only until the end of June. The present session, which my Ministers hope will be a short one, will be primarily devoted to consideration of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure and the granting of supply for the current year, and to the consideration of urgent legislative measures which, in the opinion of my Ministers, do not permit of postponement. It is anticipated that after these measures have been disposed of, it will be possible for Parliament to be prorogued until January next year.

I am pleased to be able to inform you of the continued friendly and cordial relations with the other members of the commonwealth and with foreign nations.

The opening date for the World Monetary and Economic Conference has now been fixed for the 12th of June next. In view of the importance of the conference, it has been decided that the Union shall be suitably represented thereat. Arrangements have accordingly been made for the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Railways and Harbours and of Defence to attend the deliberations on behalf of the Union Government.

The general economic depression is causing extensive unemployment, to the relief of which my Ministers are devoting their earnest and sustained attention. The depression together with severe and widespread drought continues to weigh specially upon the agricultural industry, causing most serious distress amongst the farming population. My Ministers, being convinced of the necessity of continuing to render such special assistance and relief to the farmers as may be possible in order to lighten the exceptional hardships they are suffering through the stress of circumstances, will submit to you proposals for that purpose.

The detachment of Union currency from the gold standard and the passing of the Currency and Exchanges Act during the last session of Parliament have had the effect of increasing the price in depreciated currency of the production of the gold mines by many millions. My Ministers propose to submit to you legislation which, while providing for a part of the additional profits accruing to mining companies from this source being appropriated by the State for the general welfare of the community, will at the same time enable and encourage the industry to devote a substantial portion to its expansion, more especially through the working of low grade ore, thereby affording increased employment.

Owing to the early prorogation and subsequent dissolution of Parliament it was not possible during the last session to deal with measures relating to miners’ phthisis, to the amendment of the Transvaal gold law, and to workmen’s compensation. These matters are receiving the earnest attention of my Ministers, and the necessary legislation will be proceeded with as soon as possible.

Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the current financial year will be laid before you.

In commending these matters to your consideration, I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may guide and sustain you in your labours.

In his Majesty’s name I now declare this the first session of the seventh Parliament of the Union of South Africa to be duly opened.

Will the Minister of Finance inform the House when the Estimates of Expenditure will be laid on the Table?

In reply to the hon. member, I desire to say that, for various reasons, it is not desirable in the public interests that the Estimates of Expenditure be laid on the Table before the budget statement has been made. I shall lay them on the Table together with the Estimates of Revenue on Tuesday.