THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 30, 4 August 1923, Page 8

THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

The House of Representatives did not sit for very long yesterday afternoon, the sitting being cut short by receipt of the news of the death of President Harding. It had not been intended to ait long in any case, owing to members going, South at night to be present at the. opening of the Otira tunnel to-day. The first business of the day was the formal-announcement by the Prime Minister of the vesting of the control of the Ross Dependency in New Zealand, but the extension of the Dominion "sphere of influence" to the region of the Antarctic was not a subject calculated to arouse a warm debate, and the references to the matter by members were jocular rather than serious. Mr. Massey pointed out, however, that the whale and seal fisheries were valuable and "would prove a source of revenue to New Zealand. Estimates" were again brought on,. but only two classes were considered—Cp.o.k Islands and the Department of Industries and Commerce. During the discussion on the Cook Islands some interesting statements were made by the Minister in Charge (the Hon. Sir Hani Pomare) with reference to the fruit trade to New Zealand. The Liberal side of the House was in caustically critical mood when the next class, that of Industries and Commerce, was reached. There was every indication of a lively debate on such items as the Board of Trade and the promotion of trade in the Dominion, when sudden news was received of the death of President Harding.. It was as if the discussion had been cut with a knife, for straightway the Opposition criticism ended and the class was agreed to. This was followed by. the immediate adjournment of the House at 4.45 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Monday, out of respect to the memory of the deceased President.