WORK OF SESSION

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 13 February 1922, Page 4

WORK OF SESSION

1 STATEMENT BY PREMIER. A STRENUOUS TIME. (BY TELEGRAPH— PRESS AfeSOCIATION.J WELLINGTON, Feb. 11. When the business of Parliament was concluded shortly after 8 o'clock to-night, the Premier rose and said that before moving the adjournment of the House he desired to say something with regard to the work of the session. "We have," he said, ''come to the end of a long and strenuous session— we have passed another milestone on the legislative highway." He congratulated the Speaker and Chairman of Committees, by whose tact, firmness and ability they had enabled the NewZealand Parliament to maintain the high reputation which it had enjoyed for years as one of the best conducted and one of the most distinguished Parliaments within the British Empire. He thanked the officers of the House for the assistance they had rendered to members, and particularly to himself, who necessarily made heavy demands upon their services. Continuing, Mr Massey said this had been a working session. They had overtaken much of the arrears of work ivhich had accumulated since the armisbice, and they had added much important legislation to the Statute BookNo more important legislation had ever been passed than that which they put through this week. Much of it might be experimental, but he was sure it would be useful. The recess would be shorter than usual, but he hoped that. when they returned to their homes they would continue to* respect each other as they had done in the past, and when they came back again he trusted they would be able to work together for the good of the Dominion to which. they were proud to belong. Mr T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) supported the Prime Minister's eulogy of the Speaker and the staff of Parliament, adding that the legislation passed was of ah advanced character. How some of it might turn out no man could tell, but he hoped it would prove -fee the benefit of the country they all desired to serve. Mr H. E. Holland, on behalf of the Labour Party, added his tribute to the staff of the House. He said that though the lines between Labour and other parties were drawn most clearly in the House, he was pleased to note that a high standard of debate was always maintained; in fact, the proceedings of this assembly compared more than favourably with any other Parliament in the Empire. The Speaker (Sir F. W. Lang) and the Chairman of Committees (Mr A. S. Malcolm) briefly returned thanks! The Prime Minister moved the adjournment, which was carried on a division by 19 votes to 14, and the House rose at 8.35 p.m., bringing to a/ close "the third session of the twentieth . Parliament. 1 The closing scenes in the Legislative i Council were marked by valedictory speeches, with special reference to the - , leader (Sir Francis Bell), who is shortly leaving on ai, holiday visit to the -Old Country. Many speakers paid glow- ., ing tributes to Sir Francis Bell for his | uprightness, honesty, great ability, and j devotion to the people. | During the session just closed the i House sat on 80 days. Sittings before midnight occupied M) hours 46 mm I utes and after midnight 55 hours 15 ' minutes. The daily average sitting j was 7 hours 27 minutes. Eighty-nine \ public Bills received Royal assent, and , 41 were dropped or otherwise disposed of. In the whole House there were 21 divisions in committee. Two hundred and ninety petitions were present- . Ed from Europeans and 77 from Maoris. Questions asked of Ministers totalled 332, and 370 papers were laid upon the table.