TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 149, 27 June 1930, Page 11

TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. ' ■ ■. .. : ' . ■ ■ '

The Hon. B. Masters was sworn in and took his seat in the Council. •

Tho Leader of tho Council (the Hon. T. X-- Sidey) moved a motion expressing ; ppveciation of tho services of the laic Sir Thorns Jl'Kciizie, and referred to the deceased gentleman's long services to tlic Dominion. By his death the Council had lost one of its most distinguished and ab!o members. Sir Thomas had also taken a, keen interest in tho commercial affairs of the Dominion, but ho would probably be remembered best as a ■ result of his services as High Commissioner. Ho would be gratefully remembered ,by returned soldiers, who had much to thank him for. Sir Thomas had been a past master at wooing tho electors, and he had tho unique record of never having been" defeated at an election. The Hon. Sir James Allen paid a warm tribute to the/ late Sir Thomas M'Kenscie, who had been one of his oldest and dearest friends. Sir Thomas entered Parliament as a young New Zealander, and he had done his utmost! in the interests of tho country. As High Commissioner, Sir Thomas had I rendered valuable service, particularly in caring for the, sick and disabled soldiers.

• - Tho' Hon.'D.:Buddo said the late. Sir Thomas .had- done his very best for his

country. The' Coroners' Amendment. Bill was introduced and read a first time, on the motion of Mr. C. E. M.icmillan (Kef., Tauranga), . The New Zealand Institute of Archilests Amendment. BiU was also intro- . dnccd findi read a first time, Mr. R. A. Wright (Kef., Wellington Suburbs) being in charge of it. The Local Elections and Polls Amendment Bill, introduced and read a first •time on tho- motion of Mr. H. G. B. Mason, is designed to give local bodies optional power in respect to the system of marking ballot papers at local Body elections. Mr. Mason referred to the- disfranchisement of electors through Toting informalities, and said he proposed to give local bodies the option of revorting to the old system of voting if they so wished.-