THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 237, 30 June 1908, Page 9

THE HOUSE.

STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER. A MOTION OF SYMPATHY. Tho mombors of tlio House of Representatives, licadad by tlio bearar of the mace, immediately bobind whom camo tho Speaker, thou trooped back into tlio Roprosontativos' Chambar. Tho change to tho cooled atmosphere was appreciably uoticod. Tho Spookor tocrk his clmir, tho Prinio Minister and hiii Miuistorc. theirs, and the id embers noisily filled thoirs. Tlie first announcement from tho chnir iras tho usual sad one, tho fact that death had been amongst their ranks since lust they mot. "I havo to announce," road tho Speaker, "that tho death , has occurred during the recesa of tho hon,

member'for Tuapoka." Ho then announced the result of tho election to fill tho vacancy; and Dr. Chappie, with tho Hon. R. M'Nab (Minister for Agriculturo and Lands) and Mr. Barber (Newtown) acting as sponsors, went to the .front of tho Speaker's chair, where tho swearing-in formalities were duly porformed. PETITIONS AND MOTIONS. A dozen mombers sprang to thoir feet when tho Speaker asked if there were any petitions. Mr. Lang (Manukau) was first to catch tho Speaker's eye. Petitions and notices of motion continued to arrive for fifteen minutes, members rising up in threes and fours. Among tho notices of motion given wero subjects which promise to provide interesting reading at the discussion stage. Tho Premier subsequently laid a number of papers on tho table of tho House. ADOKESS-IN-REPLY. DR. CHAPPLE gave notice to move tho Address-in-Roply. CHINESE IMMIGRATION. Tho PRIME MINISTER (Sir .J. Ward) informed the House that tho Royal Assent had been given to tho Chineso Immigration Act (imposing an education test on Chinese). Notico of such Assent had been received a few days back. The Act would be gazetted next week, and would como into operation throe months from tho dato of the giving of the Royal Assent. IMPREST SUPPLY. The Prime Minister proceeded to .stato that to-day he to ask thd House to pass an Imprest Supply Bill. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. Tho Financial Statement, ho hoped, would bo presented to tho Houso early next week— probably .next Tuesday night. It would be roady for delivery by that dato. Ho desired to say that tho whole of the finnncial proposals would be in that statement, which ho was bringing down early, _so that mombers might be ablo to study.it closely. NEW PARLIAMENT BUILDING.

Ho also proposed to make a statemont next Wednesday in connection with the iiow Parliament buildings. (Hear, hear.) • THE KATE MR. J. BENNET, M.P. The PRIME MINISTER then moved a resolution expressing tho House's high sense of . appreciation of the sen-ices rendered to tho country by the late Mr. J. B_ennet, M.P., of Tunpeka, and that nn expression of sympathy and condolonco be forwarded ,to the relatives of doeeased in their irreparable loss. _ Sir Joseph Ward said ho believed ho was voicing tho sontiment of all members when ho said how deeply they all regretted tho: death of their old friend and fellow-member', one who had carried the highost esteem of. nil. Tho Prime Minister then submitted a brief sketch of the deceased's life, and traoed his interest in public affairs. •Mr. W. ; F. MASSEY (Leader of tho Opposition) followed the Prime Minister in his sympathetic remarks, stating that ho had looked upon Mr. Bennet as ono of the most upright and straight-forward men ho had ever met. " Nover aggressive, never unreasonable, always. courteous; lie was one of that type of gentlemen' whom they wore sorry to see passing away." (Hear, hear.) Mr. W. FRASER (Wakatipu) spoko as one who'had known tho deceased intimately. Tho lato Mr. Bennet, he said, had been exceptionally well fitted to know tho wants of the country' settlors. ' \ Mr. MACPHERSON, who had: sat with deceased in tho old Chamber, endorsed all that had been said regnrding tho excellent qualities of the deceased.. . Mr. T. MACKENZIE and Mr FLATMAN also spoko to the motion, which was carried. Tho House then adjourned until 2.30 p.m.-to-day as' a tribute of respcct.