SESSION’S END

Evening Star, Issue 21099, 11 May 1932, Page 14

SESSION’S END

PENSIONS CUTS SAFEGUARDS DEDUCTION GN ACTUAL SUM RECEIVED [Phew Oor Pasliausntabt Reportee.] WELLINGTON, May 10. The first session ot the twenty-fourth Parliament ended shortly alter 8 o'clock to-night. Very little solid work was performed by the House to-day, out members were kepi m close attendance m the buildings in order to put through the final business. When the House met m the afternoon, amendments to the National Expenditure Adjustment Bill were introduced, and were adopted after some little discussion. The amendments were mostly of a machinery nature, although one gave eifect to an important change in the provisions of tho Bill, dealing with pensions cuts. Tho Bill, as ( originally passed by the House, provided for a 10 per cent, reduction in the maximum pension payable, and the amendment made it clear that the reduction should apply only to the actual amount received by a pensioner. Some members raised objection to the late appearance of the amendments, but Mr Forbes assured the House that there were “ no niggers in the wood pile.” Before the sitting concluded in the afternoon the Hon. Downie Stewart made a statement to the eifect that it was not intended to ask the House to ratify the Belgian-New Zealand trade treaty, as he had been advised by the Belgian Government that it would be impossible to secure ratification by tho Belgian Parliament. The House met in the evening to receive a message from the GovernorGeneral, giving the Royal Assent to several Bills, including the Finance Bill. Rumours were current during the late afternoon that there was possibility of assent to the Finance Bill being withheld as the result of the inclusion of the clause extending the life of Parliament, but these proved to be unfounded. The usual valedictory speeches were made, and, in accordance with timehonoured custom, the formal motion to adjourn ‘‘ until May 24,” was taken to a division. Amidst considerable laughter the result of the division was announced as a tie (14 all), and the laughter increased when Mr Speaker solemnly declared that be would give his casting vote with the ayes. The House adjourned after members had joined in singing the National Anthem. , . . No references were made to the not which had occurred in the city in the early evening.