SESSION’S END

Evening Star, Issue 19352, 11 September 1926, Page 9

SESSION’S END

PREMIER REVIEWS LEGISLATION COMPLIMENT TO SIR JOSEPH WARD [Pee United Pekss, Association.] WELLINGTON, September 11. The Legislative Council met at 10 to-day, and passed the Appropriation Bill, adjourning at 10.10 until the ringing of the bells. The House of Representatives met at 11 a.m. Replying to Mr Sullivan, Sir Coates said the Government was keeping in close touch with the unemployment question, and no effort would be spared to relievo the situation, wherever acute.

The Speaker then left the chair to await the return of the Appropriation Bill from His Excellency the Gover-nor-General.

The House, resuming at noon, the Speaker announced that His Excellency had given the Royal assent to the Appropriation Bill. The Prime Minister reviewed the work of the session, laying special stress on the Family Allowance, the Town Planning, Local Government Loans Board, Rural Advances, Bank of New Zealand Long-term Credits, and Scientific Research Bills, which were policy Bills, calculated to confer lasting benefits on the dominion. He paid a tribute to the Speaker’s efficient and dignified control of the business of the House. The criticism of the Leader of the Opposition bad been fair, and although he did not agree with him he realised that his position was difficult, because he often had to find criticism where it was next to impossible to find. The Leader of the National Party had often been helpful, and the friendly spirit of the members generally was very encouraging. He paid a special tribute to Sir Joseph Ward, whose criticism had been extremely generous throughout the session, and whose long experience was highly valued by the House. Mr Holland, replying, , said he highly appreciated the position of first Labor Leader of the Opposition in New Zealand. It carried with it a considerable responsibility, but they had never held up legislation unnecessarily. They only opposed the Government when, the Government was Mr Seddon, oh behalf of the Leader of the National Party, expressed appreciation of the Speaker’s uni ailing courtesy to members, and felicitated the Prime Minister upon bis departure tor the Imperial Conference, to which ho was going, not as a representative or party, but as a representative of all New Zealand. The Speaker and the Chairman of Committees made feeling reply to tbo encomiums passed upon them. Mr Hudson (Motueka) and the Leader of the Opposition wished the Prime Minster and Mrs Coates a pleasant voyage to England. Sir Joseph 'Ward said he was confident that the Prime Minister would represent the dominion ably and well at the Imperial Conference. Ho was one of the younger generation, serving the Empire in a very exalted position, and was admirably equipped tor that high purpose. The Prime Minister suitably replied on behalf of himself and Mrs Coates, and at 1 p.m. moved that the House adjourn. This motion was humorously contested by a division, and tho first session of the twenty-second Parliament come to an end at 1.5 p.m. with the singing of the National Anthem.