SESSION ENDED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 22 December 1933, Page 2

SESSION ENDED

VALEDICTORY SPEECHES MUTUAL GOOD WISHES EXCHANGED (From “The Mail’s” Parliamentary Reporter). WELLINGTON, This Day. The third session of the twenty-fourth Parliament concluded at 12.45 p.m. today with the usual valedictory speeches. During the session the House met on 57 days and sat for 382 hours 13 minutes, representing a daily average of six hours forty-two minutes. The House of Representatives met at 11 o’clock this morning to receive the Appropriation Bill back from the Legislative Council, and immediately adjourned to enable Mr Speaker to wait upon Lord Bledisloe to receive the Royal assent to the Bill. The House resumed at 11.45 o’clock, when the Speaker formally announced that the Royal assent had been given. Speaking on the motion to adjourn, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes said that members had had a particularly busy session, in which an amount of solid woi'k had been done that would compare favourably with the efforts of any other institution or business organisation in the country. The session had been completed - with the best feeling among 'members that he could remember. In spite of divergent views on many subjects there had been no element of bitterness. Mr Forbes referred to the gap left in the House ranks by the death, of the late Leader of the Opposition, Mr H. E. Holland, whose passing had been so deeply regretted by members. He also paid a tribute to Mr M. J. Savage, stating that in the short time Mr Savage had held office as Leader of the Opposition he had earned the respect of every member of the House. “The hulk of the session’s work, Mr Forbes said, “ha s fallen on ray colleague, the Minister of Finance, who has come through a particularly trying period with no loss of prestige and with every good humour.” In conclusion the Prime Minister paid tributes to the Speaker, the chairman of committees and officers of the House and extended the season’s greetings to all members. Mr P. Fraser, deputy-Leader of the Opposition, said he joined in the tributes paid by Mr F'orbes and also in wishing members a very good New Year, which lie hoped would he shared by the whole country. There was no doubt the session just concluded had been a heavy one, and in regard to the number of Bills* passed it must have established something like a record for the time occupied. In regard to quality—the ( resent was not the time to refer to that. Mr Coates said he had not deserved the Prime Minister’s tribute. He had been assisted in a valuable manner by his colleagues and had also had the cooperation of the Opposition. To-day the economic outlook was better than it had been a year ago, but activity could not be relaxed until unemployment was cured. The Speaker (Sir Chas. Statliam) expressed thanks for the tributes that had been paid him, and referred to the loss the House had sustained by the deaths of Messrs Holland and McCombs. Mr S. G. Smith also thanked those who had spoken for their referencess to him. The motion to adjourn was traditionally lost by 10 votes to 14 votes and the Speaker left the chair, members singing the National Anthem and “Auld Lang Syne.” LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL » WELLINGTON, This Day. The Legislative Council met at 11.45 o’clock. Moving the adjournment the Hon. R, Masters said that while there had been no outstanding features of the session, a- great deal of useful legislation had been passed. It was comforting to find that the tone in the Dominion today was brighter than it had been a year ago, and there was no doubt that the indications*-of returning confidence were due to the wonderful revival of trade in Britain. Mr Masters said he wished to express his appreciation of the wholehearted support he had received from members of the Council. Sir Francis Bell said there were few left of the. body which had once played a serious part in New Zealand’s politics, and it was. to be hoped that Mr Masters, who was a member of the Government would be impressed with the fact that the Council’s number's were not sufficient to enable it to perform its constitutional functions. Mr Masters: “Hear, hear.” Sir Francis Bell said if it was possible to contemplate a single chamber the position might be different, but the Constitution Act, which could not be amended, required that there should be a second chamber. Mr Speaker said he thought the Government had a glorious opportunity to strengthen the Council. With the Coalition in office there would be appointments from all sides of politics. He wished all members the compliments of the season. The Council adjourned at 12.45 o’clock..