The new session of Parliament opening had crowds gathered outside Gordon House, controlled by police barriers, while, inside, dignitaries, judges in scarlet robes, and senior civil servants filled the chamber. The highlight was the governor general's entry, marked by a fanfare, and the formal opening of Parliament, which included prayers and the reading of the Proclamation. The session concluded with animated scenes outside, as supporters of both parties cheered and lifted their leaders.

Published Friday, June 4, 1971

New Parliament session opens 

Gleaner Parliamentary Reporter

Marked with a traditional ceremony, the new session of Parliament opened at Gordon House, Kingston, yesterday, when a joint sitting of the Senate and the House of Representatives was held, at 11 a.m.

His Excellency the Government General, Sir Clifford Campbell, declared the session open by wishing God’s blessing on the deliberations, after he had read the Throne Speech giving the Government’s policies and programmes for 1971-72.

Colour was lent to the proceedings by the customary parade of a guard of honour, which was inspected by the governor general, and by the playing of music by the military bands.

And a new note was added by the wearing by members of the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) of their new official party colour – orange – in neckties and pocket handkerchiefs. Senator Venetia McDonald, of the Opposition, wore an orange-coloured dress.

Lively

This colour note enlivened the period before the formal opening of Parliament, as members of the Government chaffed the Opposition about their new attire, and there was a lively scene in the lobby while members of parliament awaited the start of the session.

Crowds gathered outside Gordon House for the opening, and the police were on duty to see that order was maintained. Crowd barriers helped to keep the onlookers under control.

Major Angus Patterson, of the First Battalion, the Jamaica Regiment, was in charge of the parade. The General Salute was given to the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Hugh Shearer, on his arrival, and the Royal Salute was given to the governor general.

Cheers

Mr Shearer led his ministers and members down Duke Street to the cheers of government party followers, who gathered at the northern section of Duke Street in the precincts of Gordon House.

PNP adherents, wearing orange-coloured paper hats, gathered south of Gordon House on Duke Street and cheered the Leader of the Opposition, Michael Manley, as he led his members into Gordon House.

Less colourful and more subdued was the scene inside Gordon House where dignitaries and official guests assembled before 11 a.m. to await the start of the рrоceedings.

Members of the diplomatic and consular corps, wives of members of parliament, and other invited guests were in the galleries, which were comfortably filled but not packed.

Senior civil servants sat in their special place at the bottom of the chamber, by the great door, and members of the Privy Council had a place of honour in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery in the chamber.

Solemn

Judges of the High Court, in scarlet robes and wig, made a colourful, solemn procession as they filed into the chamber to take their places, also in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery.

So did the heads of the Church as they, too, filed in to sit near the Speaker's platform.

Lady Campbell, wife of the governor general, sat in her special seat at the top of the Chamber, along with her Lady-in-Waiting, Beryl Campbell.

Sir Clifford was met on arrival outside Gordon House by Brigadier David Smith, chief of staff of the Jamaica Defence Force, and by J. R Middleton, commissioner of police.

The governor general inspected the guard of honour to music played by the Jamaica Military Band. In this, he was escorted by Brigadier Smith, Major Patterson, Major Robert Neish, and accompanied by his Aide-de-Camp (ADC) Capt Oliver Jobson.

Fanfare

Then came the highpoint of the ceremony - the entry of the governor general into the legislative chamber. A fanfare by Jamaica Defence Force trumpeters greeted him as the great door swung open and the Marshal of the House announced him.

A stately, dignified figure in his official uniform and decoration, Sir Clifford made his way, to the Speaker's platform, and the formal opening of Parliament began.

Members of the House of Parliament, waiting in the lobby, were summoned by the clerk to join senators who were already in their places. The prime minister and the leader of the Opposition led their respective members to their seats on opposite sides of the floor.

Prayer

Prayer was offered by the Lord Bishop of Jamaica, the Rt Rev Cyril Swaby; by the Rt Rev Ashley Smith, president of the Jamaica Council of Churches; and by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kingston, the Most Rt Rev Samuel Carter, SJ.

There followed the reading by the clerk (H. D. Carberry) of the Proclamation by the governor general, summoning Parliament, and then Sir Clifford proceeded to read the Throne Speech.

As cameras whirred in the bright glare of television lights, the chief executive slowly and deliberately read the Speech, taking 45 minutes to do so.

At the end, His Excellency took leave of Parliament, leaving it to continue its deliberations for which he had prayed. Members of the House of Representatives withdrew, and so did the dignitaries and guests who had come to witness the ceremonial opening.

There were livelier scenes outside Gordon House at the end of the formal proceedings.

Singing

PNP adherents broke through the police barriers, lifted Mr Manley shoulder-high and carried him down Duke Street, to cheers and singing.

JLP followers also broke through the police barriers and ran to greet Mr Shearer as he came out of Gordon House. They attempted to lift him but did not succeed, and walked with him instead, up Duke Street, singing and dancing.

Another section of this crowd lifted the Minister of Finance and Planning, the Hon Edward Seaga, and bore him on high up Duke Street.

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