PARLIAMENT ADJOURNS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10122, 1 November 1917, Page 5

PARLIAMENT ADJOURNS.

STATEMENT BY THE LEADERS. (Pib Pbish Association.) WELLINGTON*. Nov. 1. The Speaker returned at 11.40 and reported that the Governor-General had been pleased to sign the Appropriation Bill. The schedule of business done, during the session shows that 45 public Bills wero passed and 36 dropped, and one private Bill was passed. The House sat on eighty days for a total of 511 hours, an average of 6 hours 24 minutes per day. Mr Massey said that when the six o'clock closing question was before the House, he and the Minister for Finance had stated that something must be done to put the liquor question on a more satisfactory basis, and this iiad given rise to misunderstandings in certain quarters. Ho desired to say that Cabinet had not been able to givo this matter consideration, but during the recess it would be the duty of the Cabinet, to consider jneasurcs for submission to tho House next session on the lines suggested by the Efficiency Board—that was, either for continuance, or prohibition with compensation, this issue to bo decided on the bare majority; but that would not apply to local option, which was now decided by tho people of each district. Sir Joseph Ward explained that any action he had taken on the liquor question this session had been dictated by his position as Minister for Finance, in which position he could not afford to sacrifice any revenue. Members then indulged in the usual valedictory speeches, after which a division was called on the question that the House adjourn, iho House rose at 12.30, and tho third session of the Nineteenth Parliament came to an end by members singing tho National Anthem.