VALEDICTORY COURTESIES SIGNIFY CLOSE OF REMARKABLE SESSION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23425, 2 December 1950, Page 8

VALEDICTORY COURTESIES SIGNIFY CLOSE OF REMARKABLE SESSION

WELLINGTON. Dec. I—“My first thoughts are of Mr. Fraser, the Leader of the Opposition, and 1 would like to express the great regret we feel at his absence-from the chamber today,” said the Prime Minister, Mr. S. 0. Holland, at the outset of his valedictory speech in the House of Representatives this morning. He said that Mr. Fraser, although still seriously ill in hospital, had been making constant progress, and he hoped his health would soon be completely restored

Mr. Holland also said he was, alaa that Mr. W E Parry (Opp.. Arch Hill) had recovered from the eye trouble which had afflicted him and which had caused him to take sick leave for the first time in his Parliamentary career

The session had been a remarkable one. continued Mr Holland, because of some notable constitutional changes that would arise as a resu't of the abolition of the Legislative Council It was inevitable that, because <f lhat particular legislation, some msuuderstandings might arise, but the conclusion had been reached that there was no linger the. necessity for the Upper House.

"We convey our compliments to the members of ihe Legislative Co t.icil for whom we have great respect." asi i Mr. Holland It was of interest. 10 no'o that exactly the reverse procedure was being fo'lowed in. West Africa where up to now. there was only the one leghlatu.e. ‘They are about to establish a second chamber.’’ said the Prime Minister Co-operation Appreciated

Both parties had been served well by their respective whips and he had received kindness and co-opration from the acting Leader of the Opposition. Mr W. Nash, said Mr. Holland. He paid other tributes to the staff of the Legislative Department, the heads of Government departments to the Press Gallery, and the broadcasting officials. It would be a long time before Mr Fraser regained his health, but he had made a remarkable recovery from the two crises from which, it had been said, he could not recover, said Mr. Nash. Ha hoped the Leader of the Opposition would be back again next June. 1-Ie could have no greater pleasure than to sit alongside Mr. .Fraser in the chamber. : “You are our trusted 1 friend, authorised to speak for us collectively,” said Mr. Nash, addressing himself to Mr. Sneaker (Mr. M. I-I. Oram). He paid a tribute to Mr. Oram’s unquestioned fairness with which he had ordered the business of the House. The Chairman of Committees, Mr. C. G. E. I-larker, continued Mr, Nash, had won the resnect of the House for his patience and tolerance and better results had been brought about by allowing members more latitude inside the written law for the conduct of Parliamentary business. Orderly Conduct

Mr. Nasi} said he knew of no Parliament where the conduct of members was more orderly. “The only thing ./wrong with him is his politics," said Mr. Nash with a smile, in paying a tribute to the senior Government whip, Mr. A. S. Suther-, land, who had acted as Chairman of Committees for a period during the session.

Mr. Nash extended his thanks to the Prime Minister, and to members of the Cabinet for the courtesies which had been shown to him during the session. Mr. Speaker Mr Harker returned their thanks to the Prime Minister and the acting Leader of the Opposition and the House adjourned at ,11.55 until the ring of the bells at 2.30.