At Ottawa

Bang! Bang! BANG! The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod was striking pon- derously with that heavy instrument, last week, the door of the Canadian House of Commons. Thus summoned, the Right Honorable Members followed Black Rod to the Red Chamber of the Canadian Senate. Soon His Majesty's Governor General, Viscount Willingdon, pronounced the Speech from the Throne, opening Parliament.

Royal Points. The King-Emperor, speaking through his Governor General, and for Prime Minister of Canada William Lyon Mackenzie King said, in part: i) ''By agreement between the Governments of France and Canada and the Governments of Japan and Canada, it is proposed that each of these countries shall be represented in the other by a Minister pleni-potentiary." 2) "To assist in the development of transoceanic air routes, a site for an airship base has been purchased near Montreal. An airship mooring tower will be erected, and a public air terminal for airplanes provided." 3) "Among other important matters to which your attention will be invited will be measures providing for more favorable trade relations between Canada and . . . foreign countries."

His Majesty's Opposition. So marked was the political calm amid which Parliament assembled, last week, that attention focused on one man, merely because his eminence is new. He is Richard Bedford Bennett, 57, full throated as a singing thrush. Aside from such physical distinc- tion Mr. Bennett is among the most distinguished of Canadian barristers, and was Minister of Finance in the last Conservative Cabinet, which fell (TIME, Oct. 4, 1926) with such emphasis that the then Conservative Premier, veteran statesman Arthur Meighen, had to be replaced as leader of his party. He was replaced, last October, after almost a year of diligent seeking, by the election of Barrister Ben- nett as Conservative Leader.

Last week Mr. Bennett was welcomed to the Commons in his new capacity by Premier King (Liberal) who, as usual, turned many a felicitous phrase anent the new leader of His Majesty's Opposition: ". . . natural endowments . . . ripe scholarship . . . large and comprehensive grasp . . . high legal attainments . . . welcome [as] Leader of His Majesty's Loyal Opposition. . . ."

From the thrush throat of Leader Bennett loomed more compliments, then a sturdy statement, a promise: "By my election to an office that has statutory recognition as part of the machinery of Parliament and of government, I recognize that I have assumed grave responsibilities. ... I shall do my very best."